Tinting Carbon Fiber
 

Hey folks,

I put a message up the other day asking about painting or wrapping my carbon fiber hood. I have the BRZ in Silicon Black, and I just don't like the carbon fiber contrast with the black of the car.

One member responded to the message talking about tinting the carbon fiber. I was hoping someone (or the person who mentioned it) could give me some more information on the topic. Is this something you can do yourself, or do you have to get a bodyshop to do it? And if I do have to take it to the bodyshop, wouldn't it be better to just get them to pain the hood?

Thanks in advance!

Eric :thanks:

If you already have the hood, you would have to have it sprayed with a clear, that contains a bit of pearl, or kandy to "tint" it the color you want.

If you go the more expensive but long-lasting route, go to a body shop for them to spray tinted clear as stated above, or paint.
Other option is to cover it with vinyl. If you just want it darker, there is translucent vinyl which would make it black but the fiber still be visible. This would be cheaper if you do yourself, but may not last.

Biggest advice is don't attempt to paint yourself if you're asking this question. Painting carbon parts is more complex. You can sand through gel coats. You can spray a clear that's not protected in UV; which will change colors, crack, split, and potentially ruin structural integrity.