Carbon fibre bonnet is fading. Help!

[CIVIC-R]

Hey all...

I have had a Carbon Fibre bonnet on my car for about 6 Months, and it has totally faded (gone really cloudy or Foggy)... Especially just above the engine.... - so its the heat of my engine that is destroying my bonnet.... (i dont have a heat sheild or heat wrap on my extractors).... Anyways i am painting the damaged CF bonnet, cause i have another brand new Carbon fibre bonnet with vents sitting in my lounge room...

SO HOW can i stop the same thing happening to my new CF bonnet????

thanks

vti-2 edit: updated title

[fueltank]

it shouldn't fog at all.
I think maybe you got a dodgey CF bonnet, where did you buy it from?

[vti-2]

I'm interested in hearing what other people with CF bonnets have gone through cause i've heard they do tend to fade and crack especially if left out in the sun for too long. :?

I thought CF was meant to be fairly strong.

[fueltank]

I'm interested in hearing what other people with CF bonnets have gone through cause i've heard they do tend to fade and crack especially if left out in the sun for too long. :?

I thought CF was meant to be fairly strong.

I have one and I park my car in the street everyday over the past year and it hasn't faded at all. Mine has vents so perhaps it doesn't get as hot when the car is running but it has been through the summer sun.

[Civic Type R]

CIVIC-R, please take some pics of it for us to fully see what has happened.
what are you thinking of doing with it btw ?

[XXpl0Sive]

fueltank, how much did your CF bonnet cost you?

[fueltank]

fueltank, how much did your CF bonnet cost you?

came with the car :D
but they are $950 or so.

[ginganggooly]

i'm wondering if it could be the clear coat turning to shit??

do cf bonnets even have clear coat on them? maybe take it to a panel shop to get it sprayed. you can have a stealth cf hood :)

[pgclee]

Get a good ones rather than getting some doggy stuff...though cost alot but it won't really fade or what ever...
the Spoon ones are really nice and tough...but expensive...around 1500AUD +++ dude...

[VTi-RT]

The cheaper ones, have a cheap clear layer which will go dull when left in the sun for too long and when the engine gets hot etc...... there's nothing wrong wif the actual CF part.

[SPEEDCORE]

The cheaper ones, have a cheap clear layer which will go dull when left in the sun for too long and when the engine gets hot etc...... there's nothing wrong wif the actual CF part.

So I take it people just need to attack it with a good quality polish then hit it with the wax???

[VTi-RT]

Heat protection from underneath is the best thing to do when new.... Friend's one has had some fading, but isn't too bad, a polish will definintly help.

[cheebye]

maybe it's because it's not pure carbon fibre. most of them use a fibreglass shell then paste a film of carbon fibre material on it. original carbon fibre bonnets would set u back about $2500 easy.

[mo]

maybe it's because it's not pure carbon fibre. most of them use a fibreglass shell then paste a film of carbon fibre material on it. original carbon fibre bonnets would set u back about $2500 easy.

$2500? where you get your prices from?

[cheebye]

motorware, hypertech, N-1, etc..

[CTR Coupe]

Well actually my friend makes CF and he said it would be closer to 3-4 grand to make it. (But that was including making a mould) but this would be extremely strong. Knowing him it would probably be bullet proof too.

[CIVIC-R]

ok ill take pics and show you the damage... (i just got a new digi cam)... its like it is only fogged directly above the engine... around the sides it is still perfect condition...

my plan is to paint it same colour as the car... - and have a stealth CF bonnet... - there is no point selling it, as noone would want a faded CF bonnet.

and then ill jus switch between my new bonnet and painted one...

do you think i could put some heat resistant paint on the inside of my new CF bonnet??? to stop the same thing happening again...

my B18c engine sits very close to the civic bonnet.

[fueltank]

i'm wondering if it could be the clear coat turning to shit??

do cf bonnets even have clear coat on them? maybe take it to a panel shop to get it sprayed. you can have a stealth cf hood :)

THat is what I'm thinking too.
Prolly easier to bring it to a panel beating shop to rub it back and clear coat it again.

[A'PEXi]

try doing a heat resistant paint on the inside to help it a bit