yes, don't do it.

 

I just spoke to my insurance (Nationwide) and they told me that it will not raise the insurance since it is under comprehensive. And also, I found out that the hood has some type of special gel coating with can range about 500 bucks. So my deductible is less than half the price. But I will find out everything when I bring it to the shop and see what they say.

 

It's not special, it's the same gel coat that all CF parts have. $500 is outrageous to repair scratches as an entire hood will cost you less. Find a good shop in your area and I'm willing to bet they'll do it for a couple of hundred bux, max.

 

Oh yeah, i forgot about that. Most CF isn't clearcoated - it's gelcoated. Maybe call a boat repair shop - most boats have a gelcoat. And I agree, $500 is ridiculous...

 

Sorry, I used gelcoat interchangably for clearcoat in my last post... properly used, gelcoat is typically used for the coating on fiberlgass parts and will need a paintjob on it (the white stuff seen on most aftermarket parts). The clearcoat, what was sratched, is a polyurethane used for its optical clarity. One doesn't really cost more than the other, and they're both applied in the same manner. The shop will have to mix up a batch, spread a coat on to fill int he scratches, and sand/buff back to a smooth clear surface. $200 should cover the cost without issue.

 

It also depends on the quality of the hood. Higher quality CF (that isn't paint-prepped only like ASM's dry carbon goodness) has clear coat applied as well (both to improve gloss and protect against UV damage).

Just FYI.

 

Aight guys,
I checked out a couple shops and everybodys telling me that if the carbonfiber has scratches deep enough where your finger nails can feel in between then the carbon fiber has to be totaled, but they can sand it down and add paint which will make it look like a stock hood. All I have to do now is talk to the insurance people. Hopefully they wont give me any problems about aftermarkets.

But I do have a question for you guys just in case they wont cover it, how much you think they will give me if I say that I want a stock hood instead??

 

Heres a picture by the way......
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...6&id=736126674

 

Errrm...nope. That'd be a login screen

 

So if I'm interpreting correctly... Then this 'keying' hasn't been a matter of the clearcoat having been scratched, but rather that the clearcoat has be GOUGED ?!!? deeply enough to actually penetrate into the carbon fiber weave???

As for a stock hood?...you might be surprised to find a few owners here in Mid-A willing to sell you a stock hood. Personally, I like to keep mine (and swap 'em like hats )....but that's just me.

- Dave