+61 45 99 48 775BODY KITS & CARBON – TECHNICAL
TUNING EMPIRE is offering a wide range of materials and finishes to meet our customers’ needs.
Most commonly available material composites include:
FIBERGLASS (FRP)
WET CARBON FIBER
DRY CARBON FIBER
PART CARBON FIBER
CARBON FIBER PATTERN
OVERVIEW MATERIALS
FRP (Fiber-Reinforced Polymer)
A composite material made from carbon fiber–reinforced polymers. FRP products are supplied with a primed finish and are intended to be prepped, sanded and painted. The preparation process may include the use of fillers and additional sanding.
FRP (Fiber-Reinforced Polymer, also Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) is a strong, lightweight composite material which is one of the most common materials used in body kits production.
Standard Carbon Fiber (also known as WET carbon)
When talking about carbon fiber, you may hear the terms “wet carbon fiber” and “dry carbon fiber” mentioned in conversation. Some assume this refers to the finish, thinking that wet denotes a glossy finish while dry meaning a matte finish. It makes intuitive sense, but it’s wrong and has nothing to do with the final coat of the part which can be glossy or matt btw.
The terms “wet carbon fiber” and “dry carbon fiber” actually refers to the different production and lamination processes.
Wet carbon fiber uses a manual "wet lay-up" process and then cured, making it flexible, cost-effective but generally heavier and less consistent than dry carbon.
Key Characteristics of Wet Carbon Fiber:
Process: Hand-laying fabric and brushing or pouring liquid resin onto it.
Resin: Added after the fabric is in the mold.
Weight/Strength: Heavier and less structurally uniform
Appearance: Can have weave small distortions and inconsistencies
Cost: Cheaper and quicker for low-volume production.
Best For: Custom car carbon parts, complex shapes, where cost is a factor over ultimate performance and weight.
DRY CARBON FIBER (also know as pre-preg Carbon)
Dry carbon fiber is a high-performance composite made from fibers already infused with a precise amount of resin, then cured under heat and vacuum (autoclave) for superior strength, minimal weight and consistent finish. This advanced process removes excess resin, creating lighter, stronger parts with flawless weaves, ideal for aerospace and high-end automotive use.
Key Characteristics of Dry Carbon Fiber:
Pre-Impregnated (Pre-preg): Carbon fibers are pre-infused with resin before being laid into a mold.
Autoclave Cured: Uses heat and pressure for a uniform, strong bond, eliminating air pockets and excess resin.
Lightweight & Strong: Minimal resin content results in significantly lighter and stronger components than wet carbon. Ultra-light and durable. Dry carbon is approximately 50% lighter and stronger than standard carbon fiber.
Consistent Finish: Produces flawless, uniform weave pattern.
Due to complex and longer production processes more expensive than wet carbon parts.
Most high end automotive carbon parts are made entirely out of dry carbon fiber. Some larger parts may come pre-coated / primed for paint with rest exposed or so called visible carbon fiber. For example a front bumper can be made entirely out of dry carbon but only the front lip will be left visible whereas the rest would have to be painted in car colour.
On request the whole part can be made in fully visible carbon fiber with final clear coat being glossy or matt as per preference.
Partial Carbon Fiber
A combination of FRP and (often wet) carbon fiber in the production of automotive parts. Partial carbon fiber hoods typically feature carbon fiber vents, with the remainder of the hood constructed from FRP.
Front bumpers are generally made out of FRP but include carbon fiber front lip spoilers or air intake trim pieces. Likewise the rear bumpers are made out of FRP but come with carbon fiber rear diffusers.
Carbon Patterns
The most common carbon pattern is the so called 2x2 pattern or 3K twill pattern of diagonal fibres running parrel to each other.
The Ferrari pattern or plain pattern consist of small ish squares rather than diagonal lines.
Further customer can select so called Forged carbon fiber which is a material made from short, chopped carbon fibers mixed with resin and compressed into complex shapes under heat and pressure, creating a unique marbled look, unlike traditional carbon fiber's woven pattern.
There are also unique pattern selections like chequered carbon pattern or large 4x4 Pagani / Königsegg style carbon as well as coloured carbon like gold, blue, red or carbon enhanced with colourful flakes or wires.
Gloss or matt finish
Customer can make final decision on the appearance of the parts and select a glossy finish of the parts or matt satin finish.
