Carbon fiber is an extremely lightweight but strong material. Even though it was developed by the aerospace industry, carbon fiber has become increasingly popular on street cars to reduce weight. While carbon fiber hoods are sometimes painted to match the rest of the car, often they are left in their bare finish for a more performance-oriented look. Though carbon fiber is a durable material, if it has been painted or clear-coated, like fiberglass it only has a gel coat on top of the weave. Caring for a carbon fiber hood is not that difficult with the right approach.
Wash the entire car and the hood with a high-quality car cleaner. Dry the car and the hood thoroughly with clean, dry microfiber towels. Park the car in a shady spot or in a garage before sealing or waxing it, allowing the hood cool if it was hot. This will make it easier to wax.
Seal the finish with a high-quality paint sealant such as Minzerna FMJ (full molecular jacket). This is similar to a wax, but offers additional protection. Apply a small amount of the sealant to the carbon fiber hood. Spread it around and then buff it out with a clean, dry microfiber towel, turning the towel as you go to a fresh side every few minutes. Reapply the sealant every six months or so.
Wax the surface of the hood with a high-quality wax such as Blue Velvet after the sealant has been applied. Apply a small amount of the wax to the surface and then spread it around. Use a clean microfiber towel to buff the surface of the carbon fiber. Waxing will give the carbon fiber finish a deeper shine and add an additional layer of protection. If you don’t want the extra shine, use only the sealant.
Clean the hood with a detailing solution between waxes to eliminate water spots, finger prints and other stains. Spray on the quick detailer and then wipe it dry with a clean microfiber towel.
