Spotting fake carbon parts
Learn the difference between genuine quality products and the fakes that flood the automotive market.
How to spot cheap carbon parts and shortcuts in the process.
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Notice in the 1st picture the distorted reflections in the individual tows of carbon.
This is from a dirty in mold spray of gel coat (IMC) that’s likely too thick, uneven, and will spider crack. The surface of the gel coat has heavy orange peel and waviness, which causes a distorted look to the carbon fibers.
No weave distortion!! We only coat our parts with high-quality urethane. When it’s sprayed after it cures raw (dry carbon), the carbon also comes out looking like it should.
Let's take a look at some different types of B-sides, also known as the back side of a composite part.
1st picture is the back of a real all-carbon fiber part with a peel ply texture. Peel ply is a woven release fabric that has the texture of a cotton shirt. The next is of a real carbon fiber part with a perforated release film. A perf release film has a glossier texture and looks more like a pre-preg back side.
Notice how in each example, you can see the woven carbon fiber through the textured backside. NOT PRIMER
-Now, let's look at the back of a fake carbon-skinned fiberglass part like a
Seibonderson part. Notice how the look is of a CSM or chop strand mat, and it has a cheap primer on the backside. The reason they will primer the back of a carbon-skinned part is that the fiberglass body is transparent, and 1 layer of carbon will let light through in the openings in the weave.
Some woven versions of fiberglass also use thicker strands in the width to hold the fiberglass together, like 1708. 1708 has CSM as well as a woven cloth in it. It's used when adding bulk to a laminate fast is the goal.
Here's a picture of the roll of CSM that we partially use in our molds only.
If you see this pattern on the back of your part, its fiberglass!!
