I was thinking about buying a carbon fiber hood. Only problem is I park outdoors and live in the northeast. Should I be worried about the constant weather elements affecting the integrity or look of the hood?

 

Have it clear coated. Thats what I did on my previous car, and I loved it. It also helps keeping the carbon fiber from fading to that greenish hue.

 

Oh I thought that it would already come clear coated. Good idea. Thanks for the advice!

 

I think some hoods do come with UV protectant clear coat. Check with the manufacturers to get the correct info though as it varies between companies.

 

Looking at it again, I think he meant he got it clear bra'd. I think most CF hoods come with the clear coat.

 

even if they do come with some form of clearcoat on them, having a body shop lay down another layer of clearcoat on it just in case probably wouldn't cost you that much and it'd be another layer of insurance

 

Some come with crappy clear coat, some come in pollished gell coating. My knowledge of CF hoods is a few years old, but from what I know... hoods, back in the day, oxidized, faded, and became dull and flat very easily. What I some people did was have their hoods clear coated.... or clear coated over again.

I would suggest leaving the hood the way it is, because it seems like most hoods today have UV protectant clear coat. If the clear coat is crappy, a bodyshop can always sand it down a little and lay a new fresh layer of higher quality clear coat.