Carbon Fiber Hood

[JetG0ld]

I've gone through and ready many of the previous posts in regards to carbon fiber hoods. What I am wondering, is if anyone running a CF hood can share how the hood is currently holding up and fitting after some time. Most of the previous posts seem to be a little dated. My situation is as such, I have a dent from the previous owner on my hood right by the grille. I am attempting to have the dent removed but most of the locations I've gotten quotes through have said they are unsure if they can remove the dent due to its location. I've been trying to locate a mint Santorin hood since the summer here locally, but have had no luck. I'll be bringing the car in to a dent repair location next Saturday to find out for sure if it can be removed or not. Alas the CF hood option, if they can't fix it I see I can get a CF hood for around $600-800 depending on which i chose. I haven't decided if its too "rice" for me or not so I am open to hearing some opinions as well.

In regards to my car, it's lowered with e-codes and a clean exterior throughout with a rear trunk small lip spoiler. Very conservative and clean looking (aside from this dang hood dent). So I traditionally don't gravitate towards anything that would make the car look ricey.

Thank you in advance!

[TheRedGlacier]

Just so you know, I do not have a carbon fiber hood, BUT, I would say get a new hood in a different color if yours can't be repaired, and if you don't have the tools to paint, have somebody else paint it to match your Santorin. I am not going to say I personally believe carbon fiber hoods look ricey, but, for the price, you are better off keeping the factory painted hood. If you want to hear more...

Pros of a carbon fiber hood:
Lighter (although, please note, this'll really make no difference anywhere. I mean maybe opening the hood will be easier, but the hood is light enough from the factory in my opinion.)
Cannot be dented
Looks cooler to some

Cons:
Can crack as opposed to dent
In some instances, improper care can lead to yellowing of the clear coat. This can be wetsanded out, however.
Looks ricey to some
Cost. You could get your hood painted for much less than a new carbon fiber hood, and if you have the tools, you can do it very reasonably. I've repainted almost my whole car, for less than $400, and it looks virtually identical to OEM.

It comes down to preference, as well as your ability to care for the condition of the hood. You really aren't going to gain anything else, although you never mentioned wanting one for performance reasons. I hope this helps you with your decision a little. Good luck with the car!

[JetG0ld]

I'm currently doing a build on the car for a GT2871R, i'm doing a manual swap right now as well. I'm not building the car for the track per say, but performance gains are always cool.

[TheRedGlacier]

Its up to you then haha. The gains will be minimal, but they'll be there

[tar]

Personally dislike carbon hoods as they are rice. And just look unfinished and meximod. Unless its a dedicated track car.

I would do the above mentioned used oem hood and paint match.

Only carbon that works for our cars is front lip on s4 bumper, interior trim, mirrors and other small things like that.

[Avant Nate]

Do you have a picture of the dent?

[JetG0ld]

Thanks for the responses. I will try and take a picture of the dent tonight. Is there anyone who can offer some input as far as the durability and longevity of any of the CF hoods out there? IF I do buy one, I want to make sure I get the better of them. The VIS is the one that's caught my eye so far (Just the OEM design, no hood vents).

[TheRedGlacier]

I would assume the carbon fiber would last as long as you csre for it. Wash the car, wax every few weeks from what I've been told.

[JetG0ld]

I would assume the carbon fiber would last as long as you csre for it. Wash the car, wax every few weeks from what I've been told.

I do a full clay bar, polish, and sealant twice a year. Is it better to wax the hood separately?

[tar]

If you get the carbon hood. Clay it, then use a coating over a sealant. The coating will last alot longer and offer better protection from uv damage.

[JetG0ld]

If you get the carbon hood. Clay it, then use a coating over a sealant. The coating will last alot longer and offer better protection from uv damage.

What type of coating do you recommend? I will find out on Saturday if my hood can be repaired via paintless dent repair. If they can't I plan to probably order the hood on Monday. My car is Santorin Blue so I don't think (or maybe im trying to convince myself) that it will look too rice.

[tar]

Cquartz is more than fine. If you want a cheaper one go with McKee 37.

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

[jokingjimmy]

Just so you know, I do not have a carbon fiber hood, BUT, I would say get a new hood in a different color if yours can't be repaired, and if you don't have the tools to paint, have somebody else paint it to match your Santorin. I am not going to say I personally believe carbon fiber hoods look ricey, but, for the price, you are better off keeping the factory painted hood. If you want to hear more...

Pros of a carbon fiber hood:
Lighter (although, please note, this'll really make no difference anywhere. I mean maybe opening the hood will be easier, but the hood is light enough from the factory in my opinion.)
Cannot be dented
Looks cooler to some

Cons:
Can crack as opposed to dent
In some instances, improper care can lead to yellowing of the clear coat. This can be wetsanded out, however.
Looks ricey to some
Cost. You could get your hood painted for much less than a new carbon fiber hood, and if you have the tools, you can do it very reasonably. I've repainted almost my whole car, for less than $400, and it looks virtually identical to OEM.

It comes down to preference, as well as your ability to care for the condition of the hood. You really aren't going to gain anything else, although you never mentioned wanting one for performance reasons. I hope this helps you with your decision a little. Good luck with the car!

Just responding to the weight issue. With as much weight that is over the nose and on the axle, a CF hood might actually make an impact. The metal hoods are actually super heavy. At Ingolstadt they had two A3 hoods suspended with handles, allowing us to test the weight difference. With the metal hood, I could barely lift it with two hands. The aluminum hood, easily with one hand. Felt like a 50+ pound difference. 50+ lb difference directly on the front axle would make a noticeable handling difference i would think.

[JetG0ld]

Thanks for the response Jimmy. I think you may have some great points there. I know some of the hoods aren't ACTUAL carbon fiber throughout but they've gotta be considerably lighter.

[TheRedGlacier]

From what I've read, carbon fiber hoods on our cars are around 19-20 lbs.. the factory hood is about 37 lbs if I recall correctly. So you'd be better off going on a diet than expecting any noticinle difference. Maybe if you autocrossed your car, you could notice it.. but even then.

My hood has a dying strut, that works 1/4 of the time, so I carry a stick in the trunk, but even without the gas, I find it easy to lift. Perhaps the A3 hoods are different though. I only have experience in my B5 A4.

[JetG0ld]

The paint-less dent repair location did a phenomenal job on the dent, so I wont be needing to buy another hood

[TheRedGlacier]

Glad to hear that! I actually just saw this thread too: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-with-CF-hoods