Are they clear coated? if not, would it be okay to wax the hood?thanks

 

hmmm

 

yes i belive they are clear coated.

fact: in japan they dont clear coat all carbon fiber alot of race cars use satin carbin fiber

 

yes all c/f hoods are unless stated otherwise. My fi hood was cc.

 

What happens anyway if it's clear coated? Just makes it shiny? Protects from chemicals? Err...

 

clear coat is what makes it shine or gloss

 

I doubt it. Probably GEL coated which is often confused with clear coating.

 

W3rd, ExOdy. They are indeed gel-coated. Very easy to maintain, too. Where I do a multi-stage polish job on my car, the hood usually just gets wax.

Keep it waxed so it doesn't fade.

 

Exactly.

From my research, there are currently NO CF hoods on the market with a TRUE clearcoat..not from the factory anyway.

I was told by VIS my hood would be indeed, truly clearcoated..and low and behold when I get it, it's gel coated.

Gel coats SUCK.

 

Since they are gel coated what kind of wax is everyone using on their CF Hood?

Cruzer

 

Summer: Mother's Carnauba Cleaner wax followed by a coat of Mother's Pure Carnauba. Preeeeeeetttttyyyyy

Winter: Finish 2000 or NuFinish. They shine like ***, but they last forever (i.e. through the winter).

 

No, Fiber Images does not clear coat the hoods. It is another substance, which most people confuse w/ clear coating. By clear coating the hood, it will make the cf really stand out and will make the weave appear 3-D and look shiny. Hope that helps. I have a FI hood and just got it clear coated last week. Big difference.

clear coating=

 

how about the spoon cf hoods, are they clear coated? mine's already pretty dull, tried polishing and waxing to no avaial.

 

very true.

 

A representative from one of the FI distributers says that the hoods are NOT clear coated unless you have paid the extra $125 for the automotive clear coat option. The clear coat is used just to give the hood maximum gloss.

 

Yes, clear coat is usually extra. Composites manufacturers don't bother with post-finish work like paint usually, and just sell as a gel coated raw part. If you're lucky, they'll polish it before you get it, which is usually the case with carbon hoods.
The gel coat is actually the first layer against the mold, and then the carbon fiber and successive layers of fiberglass are laid up over it. The gel coat will tend to chalk out if not taken care of, etc. Wax does wonders for gel coat, but the real way to take care of anything carbon fiber is to clear coat it. Pretty much all polyester and epoxy resins deteriorate in sunlight. Resins don't like UV light. Period.
The resin weakens and turns brittle, which really doesn't matter for something that isn't strength critical like a hood, but it also turns amber, which is ugly.
So do the right thing for long term care and clearcoat your hood as soon as you buy it. Paint (clearcoat) is much easier to take care of than gel coat anyway....
I make carbon hoods (no, I won't make you one, don't ask) and all the carbon parts I've ever made have been clearcoated so they stay nice looking over time...