Wet Carbon vs Pre-Preg Carbon – What’s the Difference?

Wet Carbon vs Pre-Preg Carbon – Which One to Choose?

In the world of tuning and motorsports, carbon fiber has long been associated with top-tier quality, low weight, and a distinctive look. However, not all "carbon fiber" is created equal. The two most popular types are wet carbon and pre-preg carbon – but what’s the difference? Which material should you choose if you're after performance, aesthetics, or durability? Here’s a comparison prepared by the CRT Performance team.

What is Wet Carbon?

Wet carbon is the most commonly used method for producing carbon fiber components. In this process, dry carbon fabrics are hand-laid into a mold and then saturated with resin (usually epoxy). Once cured—either at room temperature or in an oven—the final part is complete.

Advantages:

  • Lower production cost – cheaper molds, less complex process.

  • More accessible – most aftermarket carbon parts are made this way.

  • Good aesthetics – when done well, can achieve a visually impressive finish.

Disadvantages:

  • Lower strength – more resin and less fiber leads to reduced mechanical performance.

  • Heavier – less favorable resin-to-fiber ratio.

  • Inconsistency – results depend heavily on the skill of the technician.

What is Pre-Preg Carbon?

Pre-preg (short for "pre-impregnated") carbon fiber comes pre-saturated with resin in perfect proportions. It must be stored at low temperatures and is then shaped and cured in an autoclave—under high pressure and carefully controlled heat.

Advantages:

  • Highest quality and precision – tightly controlled production environment.

  • Superior strength and stiffness – ideal resin-to-fiber ratio.

  • Lightweight – critical for high-performance applications.

  • Flawless finish – uniform texture, no air bubbles.

Disadvantages:

  • Higher cost – both the material and process are significantly more expensive.

  • Requires advanced equipment – autoclaves, refrigeration, etc.

  • Less common – typically used in professional applications (e.g., F1, aerospace).

 

Wet Carbon vs Pre-Preg – Summary

Feature Wet Carbon Pre-Preg Carbon
Cost ✅ More affordable ❌ More expensive
Strength ❌ Lower ✅ Higher
Weight ❌ Heavier ✅ Lighter
Aesthetics ✅ Good (depends on craftsmanship) ✅ Perfect finish
Applications Visual parts, cosmetic tuning Motorsport, aerospace, high-performance use

Which Carbon Should You Choose?

It depends on your priorities.

If you're aiming for visual impact at a lower cost, wet carbon will do the job just fine.

However, if every gram counts and the component will be under stress, pre-preg carbon is the clear winner.

At CRT Performance, we work with both technologies, selecting the right one based on application, budget, and client expectations. If you're unsure which material is best for your project – get in touch. We’ll guide you and help find the ideal solution.

Got questions?
Contact us at: info@crtperformance.pl
Or visit our workshop: Cybernetyki 7D/15, Warsaw

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