Exposed Carbon Fiber Hood Insert vs Black Hood Insert

[vatechguy3]

CF for me!!

Tony

[winterboy8]

Originally Posted by nvydvr

Mines black, that's how she came so it wasn't a deal breaker for me. I honestly like the looks of both of them. I had a guy insist that mine was plastic while the exposed CF ones were the only CF inserts... So I popped my hood and surprise... CF :-)

This is what I understood them to be as well. And I never understood why it cost so much to clear-coat them vs. paint them black. Is CF difficult to clear-coat? Anyway, love my exposed CF insert, looks awesome.

[Whisper1]

Originally Posted by winterboy8

This is what I understood them to be as well. And I never understood why it cost so much to clear-coat them vs. paint them black. Is CF difficult to clear-coat? Anyway, love my exposed CF insert, looks awesome.

Don't know about difficult but the clear coat had worn thin and split along the edges of my CFI at 7500 miles. Had it re-cleared 2 weeks ago - 4 coats I think. The hood was also painted - 4 coats base and 4 clear. Hood and insert now look as slick as glass - hoping it holds up better than the OEM.

[BriteCrawler]

Originally Posted by winterboy8

This is what I understood them to be as well. And I never understood why it cost so much to clear-coat them vs. paint them black. Is CF difficult to clear-coat? Anyway, love my exposed CF insert, looks awesome.

Not more expensive to clear coat but more expensive to QC and source. Most CF will have imperfections in the weave. That's not a problem when you paint it black. If you're going to leave it exposed, you have to find better looking pieces with uniform layering in the weave.

[nvydvr]

Originally Posted by winterboy8

This is what I understood them to be as well. And I never understood why it cost so much to clear-coat them vs. paint them black. Is CF difficult to clear-coat? Anyway, love my exposed CF insert, looks awesome.

I was told that it's difficult to get the CF to look perfect (the weave) so the ones that were not, they painted... May be true, may not, but it made sense to me :-)

[ZED SLED]

Originally Posted by nvydvr

I was told that it's difficult to get the CF to look perfect (the weave) so the ones that were not, they painted... May be true, may not, but it made sense to me :-)

That was my impression. They hand selected the 'perfect' ones for clear coat. Unfortunately, the person who selected mine was blind in one eye and couldn't see out of the other. Also, I think the painted ones were (flat) black in '12 only. '13 and later are ashen gray and clear coated.

[tonyfred]

Went with an aftermarket CF insert that ran around 500 bucks. Definitely some waves in it when the light hits it just right. But I can live with it for the savings. I am slowly adding CF pieces so the black OEM insert just had to go. I still have it if anyone needs one. Ready with the water deflector installed. I did not put a deflector back on and have had no issues at all with rain. Really cant tell the difference. And I am a nut about my engine bay.

[owhite3003]

My car came in with a grey insert instead of clear. They ordered the clear one and installed it when it came in. The tech must have over tighten the insert. When I got home and pulled up in the driveway, my wife said the insert was cracked. Must be why they had it parked in a dim part of the shop for me to pick up. Drove it back to the dealer and the manager took a picture of the crack without me even pointing it out. They had to buy another insert. You bet I inspected the new one really good in the light before I signed off on the car. I don't use that dealership anymore.

[jayno20]

My car came with the gray insert, but I wanted the exposed carbon fiber something fierce so I managed to find a member selling his for 550 for OEM stuff. I had to buff out a few imperfections, but now it looks perfect and it is easily the best visual mod I've done to the car. The exposed carbon fiber makes it look SOOOO much better.

[ValZL1]

Read up on the ZR1's carbon fiber UV protectant clear coat. I think the additive put into the clearcoat costs like $60,000 and once mixed the clearcoat comes out to like $2,000/gallon. It's got some crazy UV protectant properties supposedly to prevent premature yellowing of the carbon fiber.

[angryBits]

I went to the dealer expecting to get the CF insert, but they had a ZL1 configured exactly as I wanted minus the CF insert. So I caved in and bought it anyway.

Mine came with the insert painted Ashen Grey Metallic, not the matte black like I've seen on others.. I expected I would replace it but it has grown on me since I have also replaced the spoiler with a Z28 spoiler painted Ashen Grey Metallic. Now I like it.

[BattleScarredSoldier]

Originally Posted by www.MorenoMotorsports.com

FYI, we have a couple of CF inserts in stock if anybody is interest.

I didnt see them on your website. PM me with the price please.

[nvydvr]

me too please

[sbubbaklein]

Bambi bought my ZL1 front end after hitting deer on Hot Rod Power Tour. I paid difference between 1LT front end. All OEM parts used except for hood extractor which was bought aftermarket from Trufiber, bought ECF and it looks good for the money $500. I would say it is a 5 footer, it certainly isn't as nice as OEM but my wallet is a lot thicker.