Carbon FAQs

Performance Speedshop is proud to offer a wide variety of material and finishes to suit our customer's needs. Below you will find details of some of the most commonly made material composites that our items are offered in. This is not an exhaustive list. Please feel free to contact us with any special requests not already listed.

In general (unless otherwise indicated), special carbon fiber is a 20% extra option upon request. Matte is a 10% extra option upon request. 

Materials

FRP - composite material comprised of carbon fiber reinforced polymers. It is meant to be prepped, sanded, and painted. Preparation process may include using fillers and sanding.  

Partial Carbon Fiber - mix of FRP and carbon fiber. Partial Carbon Fibers Hoods (generally) have the vents made of carbon fiber. The rest of the hood  made of FRP. Bumpers (generally) have vents or trim pieces made of carbon fiber. 

FRP or Carbon/Paintable - this product is meant to be painted by the end-user. The product may be made of FRP, partial carbon fiber, or carbon fiber. Customer does not get a choice between FRP or Carbon. 

Carbon Fiber Hoods - Top side of hoods are made of carbon fiber by default. Underside of hoods are made of FRP by default

Double Sided Carbon Fiber Hoods - Both top side and under side made of carbon fiber. 

Dry Carbon (also know as Pre-preg Carbon) - A method of manufacturing that involves an autoclave process. Dry carbon is generally about 50% lighter and stronger than standard carbon fiber. 

Carbon Fiber Patterns

Woven Carbon Fiber (Standard 2x2 or 3k) - the most common carbon fiber weave. 2x2 weave woven carbon fiber is the default if listing does not specify the pattern. Woven 3K carbon fiber is a lightweight and high-strength material made from bundles of 3,000 carbon filaments (referred to as "3K") that are woven into a fabric pattern, typically in a twill or plain weave. It offers excellent tensile strength, stiffness, and durability while maintaining a sleek, smooth appearance with a distinctive checkerboard pattern.

1x1 Woven Carbon Fiber - refers to a plain weave carbon fiber fabric, where each bundle of fibers alternates over and under in a simple one-to-one pattern, creating a uniform, grid-like appearance. This weave style provides high stability and consistent strength, making it ideal for applications requiring precision and a clean, symmetrical look. Products for Ferrari will be made with 1x1 weave by default. 

V Shaped Weave - also known as book match weave. It is a type of fabric where the carbon fibers are interlaced in a distinct V-shaped pattern, providing enhanced strength and flexibility. This unique weaving technique helps distribute forces evenly across the material, making it particularly useful in high-performance applications like automotive and aerospace industries. The V-shape weave also offers improved durability and resistance to deformation, making it an ideal choice for components subjected to dynamic stresses. Products for McLaren will be made with V-Shaped weave by default. 

Woven Carbon Fiber (14k) - consists of 14,000 individual carbon filaments bundled together in a single strand, offering a slightly lighter and more flexible alternative to higher filament counts. It is often used in applications where a balance between strength, weight, and cost is important, such as in the production of sporting goods, automotive parts, and lightweight structures. The 14k weave provides good durability and stiffness while maintaining a lower overall weight compared to heavier carbon fiber options.

Woven Carbon Fiber (16k) - refers to the number of carbon filaments (16,000 fibers) bundled together in a single strand, offering a balance of strength and flexibility. This type of carbon fiber is commonly used in applications requiring high performance and durability, such as in automotive, aerospace, and sporting goods industries. The 16k weave provides a slightly thicker, more rigid structure compared to lower filament counts, making it suitable for parts that need to withstand substantial stress and load.

Forged carbon fiber - a composite material made from randomly arranged, short carbon fiber strands combined with resin and compressed in a mold. Forged carbon fiber offers greater design flexibility compared to 3K woven carbon fiber, as it can be molded into more complex shapes without compromising structural integrity. Its random fiber orientation reduces weak points caused by the directional patterns in 3K weaves, enhancing impact resistance. Additionally, it has a unique aesthetic appeal, with a marbled texture that stands out from the uniform weave of 3K carbon fiber. It was originally developed jointly between Lamborghini, Callaway Golf Company, and the Lamborghini Lab.

Honeycomb carbon fiber - combines woven 3K carbon fiber layers with a lightweight honeycomb weave, creating a sandwich structure that offers exceptional stiffness-to-weight ratio. This configuration provides excellent rigidity, impact resistance, and thermal insulation, making it ideal for aerospace, automotive, and high-performance sporting applications. The honeycomb weave significantly reduces material weight while maintaining strength, making it a preferred choice for lightweight structural components.

Carbon Kevlar Hybrid - a composite material that combines the high-strength properties of carbon fiber with the toughness and impact resistance of Kevlar. This hybrid material is used in applications that require both lightweight and durable performance, such as in aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment. The unique blend of carbon's rigidity and Kevlar's flexibility provides superior protection against wear, tear, and impact while maintaining strength and lightness.

Carbon Kevlar Hybrid with Color - Carbon Kevlar Hybrid that combines Carbon Fiber and Colored Kevlar. This material combines the strength of carbon fiber and the impact resistance of Kevlar, while adding vibrant, custom colors for aesthetic appeal. The blend of these materials, enhanced by the use of colored fibers or coatings, maintains exceptional durability and lightweight properties while offering a unique visual style. This hybrid material is commonly used in high-performance industries, where both appearance and functionality are key, such as in automotive, aerospace, and sports equipment.

Honda Black and Red Weave - carbon fiber weave that features a striking, dual-tone design that combines traditional carbon fiber with vibrant red accents for a unique aesthetic. This high-performance material maintains the strength, lightness, and durability of carbon fiber while adding a distinctive visual appeal, often seen in Honda's sports cars and racing models. The contrast between the red and black weave enhances both the functional and visual elements of the parts, making them stand out while offering superior strength and stiffness.

Finishes

Gloss - features a polished, high-shine surface that enhances its sleek, modern aesthetic and highlights the carbon fiber pattern. The glossy coating not only improves visual appeal but also provides an extra layer of protection against UV rays, moisture, and scratches.

Matte - offers a smooth, non-reflective surface that emphasizes a subtle and understated aesthetic while retaining the signature carbon fiber texture. This finish resists fingerprints and smudges better than gloss, making it ideal for applications where a clean, modern look is desired. The matte coating not only improves visual appeal but also provides an extra layer of protection against UV rays, moisture, and scratches.

Common Misconception

Dry carbon vs. Matte Finish - Dry Carbon does NOT equal matte finish. Dry carbon is a method of manufacturing that involves an autoclave process. It is also known as pre-preg carbon. Dry carbon is generally about 50% lighter and stronger than standard carbon fiber.