If you’re into aftermarket parts, you’ve probably seen the words “wet carbon” and “dry carbon” thrown around. But what do they actually mean? More importantly, is dry carbon really worth the extra cost, or is wet carbon good enough for your build?
There’s a lot of confusion (and some straight-up misinformation) about the differences between these two materials, so let’s break it down in plain English.
Wet Carbon Fiber: The Budget-Friendly Option
Wet carbon fiber gets its name because the resin is applied by hand before the part is molded and cured. This method is similar to how fiberglass parts are made. The process isn’t super precise, so there’s usually extra resin left over, making the final part heavier and not as strong as dry carbon.
Pros of Wet Carbon:
✔️ More affordable
✔️ Still looks like real carbon fiber
✔️ Easier and faster to manufacture
Cons of Wet Carbon:
❌ Heavier than dry carbon
❌ More resin = more prone to yellowing over time
❌ Not as strong or rigid
Wet carbon is great if you’re mostly after the look of carbon fiber without dropping big money. It’s commonly used for interior trim pieces, hoods, and other non-structural parts where weight savings and strength aren’t the top priority.
Dry Carbon Fiber: Lightweight and High-Performance
Dry carbon fiber is a completely different beast. Instead of manually adding resin, manufacturers use pre-preg carbon fiber (pre-impregnated with resin) and cure it under heat and pressure in an autoclave. This process removes excess resin and air pockets, making dry carbon stronger, lighter, and more durable.
Pros of Dry Carbon:
✔️ Ultra-lightweight
✔️ Stronger and more rigid than wet carbon
✔️ Perfect weave and finish, no excess resin
✔️ More resistant to yellowing over time
Cons of Dry Carbon:
❌ Expensive to produce
❌ Takes longer to manufacture
❌ Premium price tag
If you’re building a performance car and want real weight savings, dry carbon is what you need. It’s commonly used in race cars, high-end supercars, and aerospace applications—basically anywhere strength and weight reduction are critical.
Why the Huge Price Difference?
It all comes down to the manufacturing process and materials.
- Wet Carbon: Uses cheaper materials and a simpler process. No need for high-pressure curing, so production costs stay low.
- Dry Carbon: Uses expensive pre-preg materials, requires an autoclave, and takes more time to produce—hence the premium price.
To give you an idea of costs, a wet carbon hood might be $800, while a dry carbon version of the same hood could be $2,000 or more. That’s because dry carbon uses higher-quality materials and a more precise manufacturing process.
Which One Should You Choose?
It depends on what you’re looking for.
- Want carbon fiber for the looks? Wet carbon is totally fine and much more affordable.
- Need real weight savings and strength? Dry carbon is the way to go, especially for performance builds.
- Be careful of cheap knockoffs. Some sellers label fiberglass parts with a carbon overlay as "carbon fiber," so always check the product details before buying.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, both wet and dry carbon have their place. If you're daily driving and just want a nice aesthetic, wet carbon makes sense. But if you're chasing lap times or building a serious performance machine, dry carbon is worth the investment.
If you’re looking for high-quality titanium and carbon fiber parts, check out our store at myeliteti.com—we don’t mess with cheap knockoffs.