How to Know if your Tesla Carbon Fiber Accessory is Made with Real Carbon Fiber

Real Carbon Fiber Accessories?

Many Tesla owners either love or despise the look of carbon fiber accessories for their Tesla Model 3 or Model Y. In fact, many Tesla owners prefer to keep the OEM look, and that is understandable. However, for the enthusiasts that appreciate the design of carbon fiber, how can you tell if what you are buying is authentic?

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Current Tesla Carbon Fiber Accessories On The Market

Let's start with some examples of carbon fiber Tesla accessories that are continuing to grow in popularity.

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• Spoilers
• Steering Wheels
• Dashboard Replacements
• Door Trim Replacements
• Hoods
• Diffusers
• Front Lips
• Side Skirts

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Many vendors often promote that they create these accessories with real carbon fiber materials. It is also important to understand that there are different “tiers” of real carbon fiber. For example, your Tesla carbon fiber accessory may not have the same type of material used in designing a Formula 1 car or Koenigsegg. Carbon Fiber accessories

have been very popular with race teams because it is very lightweight and extremely strong. This does not mean that your carbon fiber accessory is fake. It just means that it was not created in the same way that it was used for a Formula 1 car.

Well, how can you tell if it is real?

What does real Carbon Fiber look like?

It can be challenging to depict the difference between real and fake carbon fiber just by glancing at the product. However, with some practice, you can very easily train your eye to pinpoint these differences. For example, the 2023 Tesla Model 3 will come equipped with a real carbon fiber rear spoiler. Read these key-points below to see if your Tesla accessory was built with real carbon fiber.

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‍Real Carbon Fiber Characteristics

3D Design

Take some time to carefully observe the carbon fiber weave. A Tesla accessory created with real carbon will have various weaves woven in a layer-like fashion. Whether your Tesla accessory is built with Glossy (wet) , Matte (dry), or White Carbon Fiber, you will be able to clearly see the depth and texture of the carbon fiber. When staring at the weaves, begin to look at the weaves in different angles. The effect should seem as if it is reflecting and vibrant. Some fake carbon fiber accessories, such as a dashboard cover, may have this effect even with a laminated design. 

Lightweight

Real carbon fiber will have high temperature resistance, friction resistance, high tensile strength, thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance. Due to its structural properties, it will be much lighter than most Tesla OEM parts or fabricated carbon fiber accessories. Next time you get ahold of your new carbon fiber accessory, conduct a test to see if your accessory is lighter than your OEM or ABS plastic accessory.

Stiffness

Real carbon fiber is known for its stiff integrity. A very easy test you can do to determine the authenticity of your carbon fiber accessory is to try bending it. Fake carbon fiber accessories will often lose their structural integrity and will bend, crack, or peel. ABS plastic is commonly used with the manufacturing of these products. Even with applied force, real Tesla Carbon Fiber Accessories will not deform and will maintain their shape.

Colors

Real carbon fiber is black. Any other color (commonly advertised as blue, red, silver, etc.) is not created with real carbon fiber and is either wrapped or painted over the original carbon fiber surface. A new style of carbon fiber (Spectre) was recently created by Fusion Motorsports USA and is shown in their Dashboard Replacement and Steering Wheel. Although this is not created with real carbon fiber, it contains common elements that real carbon fiber uses. As a result, the accessory’s structural component maximizes stiffness, rigidity, and durability.

How Much Is Real Carbon Fiber?

Carbon fiber has a reputation for being more costly when compared to other materials like steel and aluminum. It is important to note that the authenticity of the carbon fiber itself is not the sole reason for the higher price. Behind this are the laborious hours involved in manufacturing the product, scarce mechanical and chemical elements maintaining the properties of the atomic organic polymers, and the intensive preparation needed in order to properly manufacture your Tesla accessory. Additionally, due to its sparse nature, real carbon fiber is becoming increasingly challenging to obtain.

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Next time you decide to purchase a Carbon Fiber accessory for your Tesla, be sure that the company is true to their word. Be sure to understand their manufacturing process, qualifications, and experience within their field.