"In this Special Series, I document the complete development, fitment and ordering recommendations to the 1:1 CSL carbon diffuser.

This entry documents the unboxing impressions and my ordering recommandations."
-Matt

A refresher on what makes this special. 

The initial crowdfunding idea was based on this journal entry: The Ridge!

What makes this special: 

1. A new mold to OEM precision. 
2. OEM matching carbon fiber construction process.
3. Improved packaging for UPS air shipping. 
4. Color matching service. 
5. 50% less expensive than its OEM counterpart. 

Better safe than sorry. 

The cardboard box is double walled and has added foam inner walls to enclose the diffuser that is itself wrapped in bubble wrap, and the paint is further protected by wrapping paper. 

UPS have their reputation - we learned his lessons the hard way. It's our philosophy to always improve on products, and that includes packaging. 

The Carbon Work. 

Pre-preg carbon application on complex shapes is not easy, it's made further technically challenging with the 1x1 CSL weave pattern.

The accentuated curvatures of the OEM diffuser design makes any positioning error and stretching of the weave evident. As such, who lays the pre-preg carbon into the negative mold matters. He needs to be skillful, and mindful of any errors before the autoclave process. 

The carbon is carefully positioned in visible areas to retain a specific weave optical orientation.

The backside shows the various carbon layers and plies used. 

The inner sections close to the outer exhaust tips show a layer separation that will be hidden away when installed. More pictures to follow once fitted. 

The ridge is a small design detail yet highly significant to distinguish from most replicas out there to the quality ones. 

The ridge is a signature CSL design cue. The aesthetics are spot on. 

The Color Match Service.

The ridge is a critical design feature, but it's also a practical feature. The ridge allows perfect outlining and separation from the visible clear coated carbon section and the color matched paint sections. 

The paint line is proper. 

The paint work itself.

I have a deep background in automotive paint. Since I discovered what orange peel was - my life hasn't been the same since. 

Carbon fiber is notoriously difficult to paint for quite a few reasons. 

1. It isn't a flat surface, no matter the prep work. 
2. Bonding isn't as easy as on metal panels, it requires specific primers. 
3. Visible carbon fiber is awesome to look at, only when clear coat quality is perfect. 
4. Body shops operate in conditions that can never replicate the OEM insulated and ventilated paint facilities. 

Understanding this is critical to evaluating the paint work when comparing to OEM body panels. 

The good news: there is zero orange peel. You do see the weave pattern bleeding through like on a classic Ferrari F40. I like it. 

The not so good news: there is some clear coat popping and I found 1x dust spec in the clear. 

Search for it in the picture below. 

Why it may happen, and how it's fixed. 

In short, we need to balance the community's desire to get their hands on the product rapidly and finish quality.

The chemical justification are the 2-component clear coats used in the process. They harden and continue evaporating solvents for over 30 days after application, commonly called "outgassing".

It's why most PPF installers & Ceramic Coating applicators require a 30 to 90 days waiting period after any resprayed body panels. It's also why you'll have a slight "paint" smell when unboxing the diffuser. 

If this happens, I recommend professionals do the paint correction with wet sanding and polishing as you dont want to burn through the clear coat. If for any reason the clear coat is cracked, then this would be covered under warranty. 

The value of the color match paint service. 

The color matching service is offered at an affordable extra over the ready-to-spray primer option. It's worth it [...] unless you're OCD about your paint and for things no one else but you will see. 

This is me. 

I spec'ed the paint service knowing all the above as I wanted to take you guys into the nitty gritty details. 

The car will be getting fully resprayed and we plan on correcting the slight imperfections. 

Up next: fitment and installed pictures.