I recently crashed my max (4th Gen) up a bit and im in the process of putting it all back together (99% done). all thats left is the hood replacement. Ive already ordered a CF hood and have some questions. 1.) can i still use the stock hydrolic lifters to prop the hood up? 2.) Will the stock hood latch still work or will i need hood pins? 3.) Should i worry about snow and ice build-up on the hood? and 4.) can i wash and wax my new hood like normal painted parts? and any other suggestions would be helpfull.

i posted this in the general forums but there wasnt a response.


Thanks,
Colin (Valance)

 

1. I have taken mine off. It lifted up like a champion lol. Some people use the worn out hood struts or make their own custom manual lift.

2. Yes but some people like myself need to modify the hood latch to make it close. But definitely get some hood pins that won't rust.

3. Yes.

4. Yes.

 

there's been alot of threads about CF lately. there was a thread recently in the 4th gen too.
i'm sure people who know more than me will chime in but apparently the clear coat on CF hoods isn't as thick as the clear coat on your car and i guess some people have had problems with it coming off or something. so its recommended to get another layer of clear coat on it. when i get mine thats what i'm gonna do.
i'm in to find out about the hood struts too.

 

Cool guys thanks


Bump any other feed back

 

Clear coat will fade no matter what. It's just matter of time.

It's the only downside of having carbon fiber IMO.

I bought the carbon fiber parts with the intention of keeping it for about 2~3 years and painting my whole car including the carbon fiber parts.

 

I would get rid of the hood shocks.... they may cause the hood to crack. the stress of compressing them with the carbon hood can't be good. You def want hood pins, I know someone who had a failure on the interstate.... it was not pretty. The stress from the wind caused the hood to fail in the latch area, the layers seperated. the hood came up at around 80mph.... tore the heck out of the front part of the roof and smashed the windshield

 

^yeah i dont think so... ive had mine on for 3 months and chicagos pot holes > all other cities pot holes

 

Thanks for the help. I should be back in action shorty.

 

If you use worn, leaking shocks youwill be fine.
Dubbya has been using his for quite some time. The leaking shocks are to weak for an OEM hood, but just right for the lighter CF hood.
If you clear the CF hood, you will have no issues with it wearing though in time.
The clear thats on the hood is actually the resin they use when making the hood, some are better then others. Products from Ionicdynamics have never given me issues with the clear.(if only they made a hood)
Ive had my hood for a bit over 3 years and its starting to wear through in two spots and on the edges.
My next hood will be sprayed with a nice coat of clear before I install it

 

flava, i'm actually the complete opposite. all my pieces from ionic are starting to fade as you can probably see in my sig but my hood is staying strong.

 

Really?
Ive had my sideskirts and rear for over a year now. The lip I had was one of the original ones produced and I had it over 2 yrs. It was finally destroyed late last year, but it still had a nice finish.
My door pillars look like new still, and the trunk is holding up as well.\How long ahve you had your items?

 

Since summer! Yea it's beginning to fade in certain spot on all my pieces except for my hood. Weird huh? But it's cool, I'm going to eventually paint my whole car this color:
http://www.ostamyy.com/phpBB2/files/r34_206.jpg
and leave hints of carbon fiber here and there. Got some big plans.

My pillar pieces and my spoiler arrive at my house in jersey couple days ago but I'm in Mexico right now so I can't install them untill I go back home next week. Hope they don't do the same thing...