1000HP

I always believed carbon fiber was some very strong stuff. However, when a body kit is made out of carbon fiber, I've heard that it can crack and splinter.

For those of you with carbon fiber body kits, what is your opinion on the durability of carbon fiber kits due to light collisions, bumper contact, scratches, dents, and other situations that can create damage to the kit?

Also, how does the strength/durability/resistance to damage of carbon fiber compare to fiberglass/urethane/hybrids?

I just don't want to spend $2000 on a body kit and be really pissed off because some old lady just cracked my front bumper with her Oldsmobile (no disrespect to Oldsmobiles).

Thanks

Moroccan_Mole

iTrader: (5)

the cf kits you're looking at buying will crack just like fiberglass

Nitrouz

iTrader: (27)

I have the JDM C-West CF lip kit. Haven't tried it, but one of my friends have. The layer is thin, therefore not as strong as let's say...a formula one cockpit. The main weakness that's prone to cracking is not the Carbon Fiber itself, but the clearcoat on the outside. Hope this answers your question.

Alex

NismoKid

Mostly because the vast majority of these "CF bodykits" are just fiberglass with one sheet of wet carbon fiber put on it. Dry carbon fiber (100% throughout the piece) is very strong, but very expensive. You get what you pay for.

JimRHIT

iTrader: (6)

The gelcoat on the kit is what the problem really is .. it looks like garbage after a short time in not properly protected.

1000HP

Thank for the reply guys. Do you know some specific examples of this super-strong "Dry Carbon Fiber" kit?

NismoKid

Most of the stuff on this site made by Amuse is dry carbon: http://www.bulletproofautomotive.com...hp?category=74

I suggest urethane body kits because they give when in an accident. Carbon fiber will just shatter in an accident once it reaches its load capacity.

havabooz

like they said, most cf kits other than amuse is cf on top of fiberglass..fiberglass is stronger than i originally thought but will not survive in any accident...

nismo33

iTrader: (15)

if you do fork over the money for the amuse dry carbon stuff you will still need to paint it. At the very least put clear coat on it. the resin baked into the dry cf will deteriorate. That's why amuse painted there car. as far as durability like everyone says the first thing to crack will be the gel coat. i had the cwest front lip and it held up well. i just sold the whole kit to to a member. I know have a new cf kit but will post pocs of the finish product later. personally i'm a cf ***** and would not have it any other way.

FairladyZi

iTrader: (5)

up!