Carbon Accents started as a spark of inspiration between me and my two cousins. We’ve always shared a love for sleek, high-performance materials, and carbon fibre quickly became a shared obsession. What began as a casual conversation about our dream car upgrades turned into a mission: to bring the finest carbon fibre car parts to enthusiasts like us. The name ‘Carbon Accents’ reflects exactly what we set out to do—provide premium accents that elevate both style and function.
Now, years later, Carbon Accents has flourished into something bigger than we imagined, but our commitment remains the same. We’re still as passionate about carbon fibre as we were on day one, and we want to share our knowledge and enthusiasm with you. Whether you’re in London or anywhere else in the world, understanding carbon fibre’s quality and craftsmanship is key to choosing the right product.
Here, I’ll break down the different types of carbon fibre, their production processes, and why quality control makes all the difference. This guide will help you appreciate why some products deserve a higher price tag—and why others might not be worth your investment.
Not All Carbon Fibre is Real: Carbon Fibre Look
One of the first pitfalls many encounter is the misleading world of "carbon look" or "carbon effect" products. These aren’t made of carbon fibre at all. Instead, they use printed plastic films or vinyl wraps to mimic the weave pattern of genuine carbon fibre. While these options might work for purely aesthetic purposes, they lack the lightweight strength and performance benefits that make real carbon fibre so sought after.
This imitation is common in budget-conscious markets and often marketed as an upgrade. However, if durability and functionality are your priorities, steer clear. Cheap isn’t always cheerful, and you’ll likely find yourself replacing these products sooner than you’d like.
Wet Carbon
Next up is wet carbon fibre, a more affordable variant of genuine carbon fibre. This type is made by laying carbon fibre fabric over a base material, such as ABS plastic, and then coating it with resin. While this method results in a product that’s lighter than pure plastic, it’s far from the peak of what carbon fibre can achieve.
Wet carbon is often heavier and less structurally sound due to the higher resin content and lower fibre density. If you’re looking for a cost-effective option that offers some of carbon fibre’s benefits, this might work for you. However, for performance-focused applications, it’s worth investing in better-quality options.
Dry Carbon Fibre
Dry carbon fibre, also known as “prepreg” carbon, represents the ultimate in strength, weight reduction, and precision. Unlike wet carbon, this type uses pre-impregnated carbon fibre sheets, which already contain the optimal resin ratio. These sheets are placed into moulds and cured under high pressure and heat, typically in an autoclave. This process eliminates excess resin, leaving you with a product that’s lighter, stronger, and more durable.
For automotive enthusiasts, aerospace engineers, or anyone who needs top-notch performance, dry carbon is the gold standard. Yes, it’s more expensive, but the benefits of weight savings, structural integrity, and longevity are unmatched.
How Carbon Fibre is Made: A Peek Behind the Curtain
To truly understand why dry carbon is superior, it helps to know how carbon fibre is made. The process begins with a precursor material, usually polyacrylonitrile (PAN). Through a series of high-temperature processes, this material is stabilised, carbonised, and graphitised to create incredibly strong fibres.
These fibres are then woven into fabrics or combined with resins to create composite materials. The precision of the weaving and curing processes determines the final product’s strength and quality. For instance, products made with a high fibre-to-resin ratio are lighter and stronger, making them ideal for demanding applications like racing or aviation.
If you’re keen on a detailed breakdown, this guide on how carbon fibre is made offers a fantastic deep dive.
Quality Control: Why It Matters
Not all factories are created equal, and this is where quality control (QC) comes in. The best carbon fibre products come from facilities that prioritise attention to detail at every stage of production. From fibre alignment to curing and finishing, even small imperfections can compromise performance.
Top manufacturers use advanced techniques like ultrasonic testing and X-rays to detect defects such as voids or misalignments. These rigorous checks ensure the final product meets the highest standards of strength and durability. On the flip side, lower-quality production facilities often skip these steps, resulting in products that might look good but fail under stress.
Where It’s Made: Regional Variations in Quality
The origin of your carbon fibre can also be a quality indicator. For instance, Japanese and German factories are renowned for their precision and technological advancements, producing some of the highest-quality carbon fibre available. In contrast, products from lower-cost regions may prioritise volume over meticulous craftsmanship, leading to a drop in quality.
As someone passionate about sourcing the best materials for our Carbon Accents collection, I’ve personally seen how production standards vary globally. This is why we partner only with trusted suppliers who meet strict QC benchmarks.
Choosing the Right Carbon Fibre Parts
When selecting carbon fibre parts for your car, it’s important to think about the specific areas you want to enhance and the benefits each component offers. For exterior upgrades, carbon fibre spoilers, diffusers, side skirts, and splitters are popular choices.
Inside the car, carbon fibre components like steering wheels, dashboard trims, gear shifters, and door handle covers can completely transform the cabin.
For enthusiasts focused on performance, lightweight carbon fibre parts such as dry carbon hoods, side mirrors, and body panels are a game-changer. These components reduce the vehicle’s weight, improving handling and acceleration. They’re especially beneficial for track use or for those aiming to optimise their car’s performance without sacrificing style.
Lastly, smaller upgrades like carbon fibre mirror covers and grilles offer an easy way to enhance your car’s look without significant modifications. These parts are durable, simple to install, and add a subtle touch of sophistication.
Our Hands-On Experience with Carbon Fibre Production
As the three brothers behind Carbon Accents, we’ve always been committed to understanding the materials we work with. That’s why we decided to visit our suppliers and see the carbon fibre production process firsthand. What we witnessed was eye-opening. The number of steps and the level of precision required to produce high-quality carbon fibre parts were interesting to watch. I, myself, was astonished and very keen to learn more as the suppliers took us around the factory.
The visit gave us a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship involved, from the preparation of the raw materials to the intricate weaving and curing processes. Walking through the factory and observing these steps up close only reinforced our commitment to sourcing the best possible products for our customers. It’s an experience that shapes the way we approach every product we offer.
My BMW M2 G87: A Personal Example of Dry Pre-Preg Carbon Fibre
I’m including photos of my BMW M2 G87 in this post as an example of how dry pre-preg carbon fibre parts can enhance the aggressive look and add an extra notch to performance.
Here, you can see how the grille, front splitter, side skirts, diffuser, and rear spoiler—all made from dry pre-preg carbon fibre from our supply.
And this is the right mirror cover.
Every upgrade on the car, from exterior enhancements to subtle details, was carefully chosen to balance aesthetics and functionality. The use of premium materials like dry carbon fibre ensures not only a refined appearance but also the lightweight durability essential for performance-focused applications.
Final Words: Discover Premium Carbon Fibre with Carbon Accents
At Carbon Accents, we’re passionate about offering the finest dry carbon fibre products that combine form and function. We have a wide range of premium carbon fibre products. Explore our collection or check out specialised collections for Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes.
For advice tailored to your needs, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help you make informed choices and elevate your projects with the best materials available.
FAQs About Carbon Fibre
Q: What is carbon fibre made from?
A: Carbon fibre is made from a precursor material, most commonly polyacrylonitrile (PAN), which undergoes stabilisation, carbonisation, and graphitisation at high temperatures to create strong, lightweight fibres.
Q: What is the difference between wet carbon and dry carbon fibre?
A: Wet carbon fibre is made by applying resin to carbon fibre fabric manually, resulting in a heavier product with a lower fibre-to-resin ratio. Dry carbon fibre, also known as prepreg, uses pre-impregnated sheets with optimal resin content and is cured under high pressure and heat, making it lighter and stronger.
Q: Why is dry carbon fibre more expensive?
A: Dry carbon fibre requires advanced manufacturing processes, such as curing in an autoclave under high pressure and heat, which ensures a higher fibre-to-resin ratio and superior strength. This precision and quality drive up the cost.
Q: What is "carbon look" or "carbon effect"?
A: "Carbon look" or "carbon effect" refers to products that mimic the appearance of carbon fibre using printed plastic films or vinyl wraps. These are purely decorative and lack the strength and performance benefits of real carbon fibre.
Q: How can I tell if a product is genuine carbon fibre?
A: Genuine carbon fibre has a distinct weave pattern that is consistent and feels lightweight yet strong. Fake carbon fibre often looks printed or irregular, and products like carbon look are significantly heavier and lack the rigidity of real carbon fibre.
Q: Does the origin of carbon fibre affect its quality?
A: Yes, the origin can influence quality. For example, Japanese and German manufacturers are renowned for their high precision and advanced production methods, whereas products from lower-cost regions may prioritise quantity over quality.
Q: Why is carbon fibre popular in automotive and aerospace industries?
A: Carbon fibre’s lightweight yet incredibly strong properties make it ideal for reducing weight while maintaining structural integrity, which is crucial for performance and fuel efficiency in cars and aircraft.
Q: Is wet carbon fibre suitable for high-performance applications?
A: While wet carbon fibre offers some benefits, it is generally heavier and less durable than dry carbon fibre, making it less suitable for high-performance applications where weight and strength are critical.
Q: How should I care for carbon fibre products?
A: Carbon fibre products should be cleaned with mild soap and water and dried with a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners and harsh chemicals that could damage the resin or finish.
Q: Can carbon fibre be repaired if damaged?
A: Minor damage, such as scratches, can often be repaired with polishing or resin reapplication. However, structural damage may require professional repair or replacement depending on the severity.