Some *** decided it would be funny to key my hood on my 07 crystal white rx8. It goes from the bottom to the top on one side and the middle has exposed metal. Right now it is patched up and it is really ugly. I'm looking at replacing it with a OEM style CF hood or repainting it. I heard CF's clearcoat yellows out after 2 years or so and that reclearcoating it every year or so is a pain in the ***. If you guys got your hood repainted about how much did it cost?

 

Can't your insurance cover any of this?

 

$250 deductable for Vandalism.

 

I would just get it repainted. Unless if you have a Mazdaspeed bodykit (any kit really) or any major performance upgrades there's no point in a carbon fiber hood. Plus, Crystal White is one of the best colors for the Rx-8.

 

Your probably best to get it repainted =/. Owning a cb hood requires a lot of care. And if theres *** holes roaming around keying nice cars having a cb hood isn't a good idea. Owning a cb hood requires it to be garage kept because the sun can do a bit of damage on it. Not only that but making sure that isn't cracked is a big thing too. One small crack without you knowing means your hood is doomed. =P

 

I would go repaint. Plus the hood on the 8 is aluminum so weight loss from a cf hood (assuming that's what you were going for) would be little to none (might even be heavier).

 

cb hood? i think you mean CF hood... right term

and it doesnt require a lot of care. just make sure its well protected when in the sun, and your good to go.

and about the crack, i think your over-exaggerating. both my friend and i have a crack on our hoods, no problem so far. not really noticeable until your a foot away staring right at it.

and if it starts yellowing or fading, just get it re-cleared.

on the other-hand, getting an oem style CF hood is just for "looks", having said that, what CF hood isnt. but the fact that an OEM style CF hood or any CF hood is heavier than the stock hood, your not really gaining anything other than the carbon look. if anything get a Vented CF hood.

 

yea my bad, i meant cf. I also meant it should be garage kept because i live in la. It gets windy for no reason and branches just fall out of nowhere, not to mention it's hailed here before. =(

 

I have a CF hood, and I keep a coat of real carnauba wax on it. This will protect your clear coat from yellowing. I think it would look nice on your car, but its your car. you need to think about this. But I am partial to CF hoods since I have one. So its a biased opinion. Just wax it every 6 months and you will be fine.