Paint CF Performance Diffuser

[AGAV13]

Has anyone done this? I want to paint the CF black as it will then match the other accents on my car. How difficult is it to have CF painted? I have seen many other CF body parts painted (hoods, trunks, etc). If anyone has pictures please post. Thanks.

[rking117]

it isnt hard at all to paint a CF Diffuser. Remember that we have been paiting fberglass, plastic, aluminum and steel for decades now. CF snt really any different than Fbreglass or plastic. Take it to a body shop off the vehicle and i bet they can paint it for around $200.00. If you do all the prep for them such as cuff sanding with a 2000 grit sand paper it might even be cheaper. They will need to use a good quality primer and then your pigment to match the color you want and then a regular clear. will take them all of an hour if you sand for them or 2 if you dont.

[3002 tii]

I would not paint the diffuser, that piece isn't functional at all. It's "value" comes from its carbon fiber exterior appearance. It's not like a hood where there's actual weight savings but you want it to blend with other pieces because it's such a large part of the car. Plus if you paint the diffuser, you'll have a hard time selling it down the road.

[AGAV13]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

I would not paint the diffuser, that piece isn't functional at all. It's "value" comes from its carbon fiber exterior appearance. It's not like a hood where there's actual weight savings but you want it to blend with other pieces because it's such a large part of the car. Plus if you paint the diffuser, you'll have a hard time selling it down the road.

I'm not worried about the value if selling it down the road. I just want to do it for the look. I have been looking for a plastic or fiber glass version and haven't been able to find one just so I could have it painted. Does anyone know if a plastic "performance style diffuser" exists?

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by AGAV13

I'm not worried about the value if selling it down the road. I just want to do it for the look. I have been looking for a plastic or fiber glass version and haven't been able to find one just so I could have it painted. Does anyone know if a plastic "performance style diffuser" exists?

The closest one is Rieger, albeit the design is a bit on the aggressive side but it's a plastic diffuser that comes in different finishes (gloss black, matte black, and faux CF IIRC). You could always go matte black and repaint that.

[AGAV13]

I've seen the Reiger and personally it's not my taste. I think it looks kind if cartoonish.

[PopsnBurbles]

Originally Posted by AGAV13

I've seen the Reiger and personally it's not my taste. I think it looks kind if cartoonish.

Yeah lol. I feel that diffuser is off an extremely exaggerated concept sketch. Regardless, the carbon looks pretty good on our cars and you pay 1200+ bucks for that carbon. It's also not that extreme and out of place like a CF trunk/hood where it needs to be painted to look normal. Regardless, I'm pretty sure it will look good.

Are you going after the 335is diffuser look?

[AGAV13]

Originally Posted by PopsnBurbles

Yeah lol. I feel that diffuser is off an extremely exaggerated concept sketch. Regardless, the carbon looks pretty good on our cars and you pay 1200+ bucks for that carbon. It's also not that extreme and out of place like a CF trunk/hood where it needs to be painted to look normal. Regardless, I'm pretty sure it will look good.

Are you going after the 335is diffuser look?

Yeah I was thinking white at first but then I thought it might be too difficult to match the AW. I have heard some stories about trying to match the color and not getting good results which would bother me to no end. So I'm thinking I might go black to match the grille, mirror caps, and black spoiler lip (which is currently being shipped). I still need to decide but I'm most likely going to go with a performance style replica and save a ton if money especially if I'm not particular about the cf finish and/or weave.