(Future Project) Carbon Fiber hood

[stingerfanboi]

Hey everyone,
So I've been in the forum for quite a while now. I've explained the fact previously that I own a 2012 Kia Optima SX and that I'm moving to the Stinger. Due to that, I don't know anything about modding cars, so please excuse me if my questions were dumb.
I had a mod list that I explained before that I would apply after getting my car from the dealership (which is after 2 months as the cost of the car will be fully available for me...can't wait!). If you wanted to take a look at my mod list, there you go!:
- ARK Legato Carbon Fiber Hood
- StingerHaus performance front spoiler and winglet kit
- StingerHaus Rear Spoiler
- StingerHaus sport diffuser
- Devil's Claw front vent canards
- Niche M190 Gamma Wheels
- A catback exhaust system. Currently unspecified. Most probably Borla or Magnaflow (would help if someone suggested lol)
- 3M Tinting
- Paint Protection
- Emblems from this site

Now, my main topic is the Legato Carbon Fiber hood. I saw installation videos and that's not the issue. I wanna discuss another topic.
For one, according to the website and pics, it seems like the vent (which makes the car look more muscular) is sloped and pointing downwards. If I wash the car, or if it rains (which is rare here), what is gonna happen? I mean, water is getting straight into the engine compartment so I was confused.
For two, does it impact anything in terms of dust? Locally, lots of dust accumulates on the car in a very short time so would this hood impact it?
And finally, does anybody know where to get the hood for a cheaper price and with international shipping? The hood itself being carbon fiber for over 1100$ is crazy. That is, it becomes even crazier when you consider the shipping from the US to here, crossing half of the world, so is there any other site that sells this better than the K8 Stinger Store?
Thanks a lot and have a good day everyone! Sorry for the thread being long

 

[eflyguy]

shipping from the US to here

Where is "here"? Might want to add that to the "Location" field in your user profile.

Yes, water will get in. Use a waterless wash when cleaning, and don't park outdoors when it's raining (driving while raining won't get much water in there).

A new hood won't attract more dust, although it may be more noticeable, depending on the color of your Stinger.

 

[stingerfanboi]

Where is "here"? Might want to add that to the "Location" field in your user

Lol. You might have not noticed. Anyhow, it's the UAE. It would be expensive to ship the hood here.
About washing, sad to know that I can only depend upon waterless cleaning, which is not effective locally. So what would happen if water gets in?

After also searching far and wide on the K8 Store, seems like I might actually settle in for this hood instead. It sort of misses the muscular feel of the other one but it still looks good and has vents. The vents are not as huge tho so water won't get in easily.

 

[eflyguy]

Lol. You might have not noticed. Anyhow, it's the UAE.

Not sure how I could notice - you don't have it in your profile so nothing is displayed.

 

[stingerfanboi]

Not sure how I could notice - you don't have it in your profile so nothing is displayed.

View attachment 30171

Oops...sorry for that. I'm viewing the site on mobile. My fault.
Anyway, lemme know what you think about the other hood, along with my future HiChroma Red Stinger that I decided...
Have a nice day!

 

[Slame]

never thought I'd see another guy from the UAE here, also thought about getting the hood myself but its gonna cost waaaaay too much to ship it over. Only reason why I didn't pull the trigger yet.

 

[Manaz]

Water getting into the engine bay isn't a massive deal. You don't want high pressure water hitting the engine and ancilliaries, and probably want to avoid doing it when the engine and turbos are stupid hot (so right after a spirited drive) but a little bit of water through the vents isn't going to kill anything.

 

[ZyroXZ2]

You could wash the whole car except the hood your regular way, and then only wash the hood with a waterless wash and wax...

As for water getting in, water on its own hitting the external components won't really hurt anything. Keep in mind: many people clean the engine bay by plastering everything with degreaser and then washing it all off with a pressure washer. I've already done this with my Stinger because somehow during its time at the dealership, the engine and everything underhood got incredibly greasy and dusty like the car was 10 years old... after only being in there 2 months.

 

[stingerfanboi]

never thought I'd see another guy from the UAE here, also thought about getting the hood myself but its gonna cost waaaaay too much to ship it over. Only reason why I didn't pull the trigger yet.

Wow, never thought the same myself too. We should definitely meet then. Lmao!
If you get it through Ajman or RAK customs it costs way less than Dubai somehow. Try asking about it. Pretty sure you then can drive there and save up money on shipping.
Would be interesting to know more about each other and maybe even start a chat. Would be super excited to do that, and more excited to maybe even meet you irl too. Tell me about your Stinger too lol. How's it?

 

[stingerfanboi]

Water getting into the engine bay isn't a massive deal. You don't want high pressure water hitting the engine and ancilliaries, and probably want to avoid doing it when the engine and turbos are stupid hot (so right after a spirited drive) but a little bit of water through the vents isn't going to kill anything.

Oh then, nice to know. I planned on getting the other CF hood tho, the Seibon TS. After thinking about it with my inside debate of an either Sunshine Yellow or Hichroma Red Stinger, it'd look good on both

 

[stingerfanboi]

You could wash the whole car except the hood your regular way, and then only wash the hood with a waterless wash and wax...

As for water getting in, water on its own hitting the external components won't really hurt anything. Keep in mind: many people clean the engine bay by plastering everything with degreaser and then washing it all off with a pressure washer. I've already done this with my Stinger because somehow during its time at the dealership, the engine and everything underhood got incredibly greasy and dusty like the car was 10 years old... after only being in there 2 months.

Thanks for taking time to tell me about your experience and suggestion, I appreciate that. However, as I live in the Gulf in a super dusty and hot area, waterless washes are a joke here and they dont do the job properly at all. That's why most people wash normally with water. Anyway, planned on getting the other hood.

About your Stinger, that's pretty damn interesting. Might've been a dusty windy day for you before getting your car or something. Lol

 

[ZyroXZ2]

Thanks for taking time to tell me about your experience and suggestion, I appreciate that. However, as I live in the Gulf in a super dusty and hot area, waterless washes are a joke here and they dont do the job properly at all. That's why most people wash normally with water. Anyway, planned on getting the other hood.

About your Stinger, that's pretty damn interesting. Might've been a dusty windy day for you before getting your car or something. Lol

I'm referring to using a waterless wash and wax to clean the hood yourself, like Meguiars or Mother's, lol

 

[stingerfanboi]

I'm referring to using a waterless wash and wax to clean the hood yourself, like Meguiars or Mother's, lol

Oh, now I know. Well that's a good suggestion. Only issue is that it takes a painful lot of time for that especially in a non-pristine, dusty area. Getting the Seibon TS tho anyway as soon as I get my Stinger sooooo yeah.

 

[Jays_stinger]

I have this hood and wash it regularly. I will pass water fast on the hood when cleaning it. Not much really gets inside. Havent dealt with rain yet, but i will make a gaurd for it.

I also believe these are no longer in stock until the Version 2s are made.

 

[stingerfanboi]

I have this hood and wash it regularly. I will pass water fast on the hood when cleaning it. Not much really gets inside. Havent dealt with rain yet, but i will make a gaurd for it.

I also believe these are no longer in stock until the Version 2s are made.

Oh wow. Nice to know. It surely looks mean, but I think I'm going for the Seibons.