PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

When choosing carbon fiber parts, it’s essential to understand the difference between dry carbon and wet carbon, not only in terms of manufacturing but also in terms of application, performance, and cost.

Dry Carbon Fiber (Pre-Preg Carbon Fiber)

Dry carbon, or pre-preg carbon fiber, is created using metal molds, high pressure, and heat in an autoclave. This results in exceptionally high strength, ultra-lightweight performance, and OEM-level precision fitment. In fact, its structural strength often exceeds that of metal while remaining much lighter.

Dry carbon is ideal for high-performance and track-focused vehicles, especially for structural components like GT wings, which face intense aerodynamic forces at high speeds. We strongly recommend dry carbon for parts with load-bearing functions or critical high-speed stability needs.

Advantages:

• Up to 40% lighter than wet carbon
• Superior rigidity and tight tolerances
• High-end surface finish with precise fiber weave
• Essential for structural, high-speed applications

Drawbacks:

• Higher cost due to complex manufacturing
• Requires specialized tooling and autoclave curing

Wet Carbon Fiber (Hand-Laid Carbon Fiber)

Wet carbon is made by manually laying carbon sheets and brushing resin over them before curing. Though heavier and less rigid, it provides an excellent visual effect at a lower cost, making it popular for aesthetic upgrades.

Visually, modern wet carbon parts can look nearly identical to dry carbon—especially after installation. The only visible difference might be on the backside of the part, which is uncoated. Once installed, especially for exterior parts, it is nearly impossible to visually distinguish dry carbon from high-quality wet carbon.

However, due to its resin-heavy process and inconsistent factory standards, some low-grade wet carbon parts on the market fade, crack, or peel after a few weeks of sunlight exposure. That’s why we work only with carefully selected wet carbon suppliers and require them to use top-grade resins to deliver dry carbon–like finish and longevity.

Advantages:

• Affordable option for street vehicles
• Looks nearly identical to dry carbon after coating
• Great for easily damaged exterior parts (like front lips)

Drawbacks:

• Heavier and less durable under stress
• Repairing cracked parts is costly and rarely perfect
• Varies greatly in quality depending on factory

USE CASE SCENARIOS

• Dry Carbon Best For: Track cars, GT builds, structural parts like rear wings or diffusers
• Wet Carbon Best For: Front lips, mirror caps, and side skirts (prone to impact), budget builds, aesthetic-only upgrades

BUYING GUIDE & OUR PROMISE

How to Choose:

• Choose Dry Carbon if: You need the lightest and strongest parts, your car will see track use, or you’re investing in structural upgrades
• Choose Wet Carbon if: You’re upgrading vulnerable parts like front lips, you’re on a budget, or you need visual upgrades

Our Promise: At CarbonXtreme, we do not manufacture wet carbon, but we only sell wet carbon that passes our in-house standards. All our wet carbon products use premium resins and are factory-screened for finish, durability, and consistency—offering the best alternative to dry carbon in look and reliability.

SPECIFICATION

Feature	Dry Carbon	Wet Carbon
Mold Type	Metal Molds + Autoclave	Hand-Laid + Resin Brush
Weight	Ultra-light	Slightly heavier
Structural Strength	Very high, beyond metal	Lower, not for load-bearing
Surface Finish	Matte/satin, precise weave	Glossy resin layer, similar look
Cost	Higher	Lower
Best For	Wings, diffusers, high-speed parts	Front lips, trims, aesthetic mods