I just purchased a new fiberglass ram air hood and I was wondering if it would cause any damage if I drove it around for a while with out having it painted? And how long do you think I can drive it around before I get it painted? I see the Imports do it all the time but I never thought that an Import driver was intelligent.

 

Paint it first. I drove my car aroud for a while without any paint on it and now there are some little tiny dents in it.

 

I just bought a harwood fiberglass hood from summit racing and the instruction sheet that came with it said to trim it to fit and mount it prior to painting it. That way the hood has a chance to heat up and cool and help draw out some of the manufacturing chemicals. It referred to his as the “Aging Process”.

 

YEs, you want the hood to cure before painting it. My Jongblod hood reeked of fiberglass resin for weeks after I installed it. I am sure this would have been bad to a fresh coat of paint.


Most fiberglass makers recommend allowing it to sit in the sun for a few weeks before doing anything to it.

 

it doesn't have to be refinished right away...it won't hurt a thing. Did you receive it with a gel coat finish?