There's more fake carbon fibre on the market right now than real stuff. That's not an exaggeration. If you've ever searched for carbon fibre parts for your car on eBay, Amazon, or even some dedicated automotive retailers, the majority of what comes up isn't carbon fibre at all. It's ABS plastic with a carbon-look finish applied on top.
The problem is that in product photos, they can look almost identical. You're spending your money based on a couple of images and a product listing that says "carbon fibre" somewhere in the title. Then the part arrives, and something feels off. It's heavier than expected. The weave looks flat. The edges are rough. Within a few months, the finish starts yellowing or peeling.
I deal with this every week. Customers reach out after buying from another supplier, asking why their "carbon fibre" part looks nothing like the real thing. So here's a straightforward guide to telling the difference, whether you're shopping online or holding a part in your hands.
The Main Types of Fake Carbon Fibre
Most imitation carbon fibre parts fall into one of three categories.
ABS plastic with hydro-dipped carbon pattern. This is the most common one. The base part is injection-moulded ABS plastic, and then it goes through a water transfer printing process that applies a carbon fibre pattern onto the surface. It looks passable from a distance, but up close the pattern is perfectly uniform in a way that real weave never is. The part is also noticeably heavier than real carbon fibre.
ABS plastic with vinyl carbon wrap. Same idea. A plastic part covered in vinyl film printed with a carbon fibre pattern. These tend to fail fastest because vinyl adhesive doesn't hold up well on curved surfaces exposed to heat and UV. You'll see bubbling and edge-lifting within months, sometimes weeks in Australian conditions.
Fibreglass with a carbon fibre skin. This one is trickier to spot. The base structure is fibreglass, but a thin layer of real carbon fibre cloth is laid over the top surface before the clear coat goes on. Technically it has real carbon fibre in it, but the structural part is still fibreglass. These parts are heavier and weaker than full carbon fibre, and some sellers market them as "genuine carbon fibre" which is misleading at best.
How to Spot Fakes Online (Before Buying)
Check the weight. Real carbon fibre is significantly lighter than ABS plastic. If the listing includes a weight, compare it to what you'd expect. A small trim piece made from real carbon fibre should weigh very little, sometimes under 100 grams. The same part in ABS plastic will be two to three times heavier.
Look at the weave closely. Zoom in on the product photos. Real 2x2 twill weave carbon fibre has a natural, slightly uneven quality. The intersections where fibres cross over each other create a genuine three-dimensional texture. Printed or wrapped carbon patterns are perfectly flat and uniform. Every intersection looks identical. That perfection is actually the giveaway.
Check the price against the size. Real carbon fibre parts cost more to produce. The raw material is more expensive, the layup process is manual, and proper moulds are required for precision fitment. If a full carbon fibre bonnet or boot lid is listed for $200, it's almost certainly not real carbon fibre. Materials alone would cost more than that.
Read the actual material description. Sellers of real carbon fibre parts will usually specify the weave type (2x2 twill, plain weave, forged carbon), the manufacturing process (wet layup, prepreg/dry carbon, vacuum bagged), and the finish (UV clear coat, matte). If the listing just says "carbon fibre style" or "carbon fibre look," that's your answer. And if the description is vague or doesn't mention the manufacturing process at all, be cautious.
Look for process photos. Legitimate carbon fibre manufacturers will often show photos or videos of the layup and moulding process. If all you see are final product shots with no mention of how the part is made, that's a flag.
How to Tell in Person (After Buying)
Tap it. Real carbon fibre has a distinctive, high-pitched ring when you tap it with a fingernail. ABS plastic sounds duller and more hollow. It's a crude test but surprisingly reliable.
Feel the surface. Under a clear coat, real carbon fibre has a slight texture. You can feel the rise and fall of the weave pattern through the finish. Hydro-dipped plastic feels completely smooth and flat because the pattern is printed, not woven.
Check the edges. This is the biggest giveaway. On a real carbon fibre part, you'll usually be able to see the layered carbon cloth at the trimmed edges. Individual fibres are visible at the cut line. On a plastic part, the edge will be smooth moulded plastic, sometimes with a visible mould seam.
Weigh it. If you have a kitchen scale, weigh the part. Then look up what the same part weighs from a manufacturer who confirms real carbon fibre. The difference should be significant.
Why It Actually Matters
Some people figure a carbon fibre look is close enough. And honestly, if you just want the appearance for a year or so on a car you're not keeping, a hydro-dipped ABS part might be fine. No judgment.
But if you're building a car you care about, or you want parts that hold up in Australian sun and heat long-term, the material matters. ABS plastic yellows under UV exposure. Vinyl wraps bubble and peel. Fibreglass is heavier and more brittle than carbon fibre.
Real carbon fibre, properly finished with a UV-stable clear coat, will look the same in three years as it did the day you installed it. The weave doesn't fade, the clear coat doesn't yellow, and the part stays light and structurally sound.
That's why every part we make at RB Innovations is genuine carbon fibre. Either 2x2 twill weave or forged carbon, depending on the part. We vacuum bag and heat cure every piece, hand trim to spec, and finish with UV-resistant gloss clear coat. No ABS, no vinyl, no fibreglass cores with a carbon skin on top.
Quick Reference
| Real Carbon Fibre | ABS Plastic (Fake) | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Very light | 2–3x heavier |
| Weave texture | 3D, slightly uneven | Flat, perfectly uniform |
| Tap sound | High-pitched ring | Dull, hollow |
| Edge finish | Visible fibre layers | Smooth plastic mould line |
| UV resistance | Excellent with clear coat | Yellows within months |
| Durability | Years without degradation | Fading, peeling, lifting |
| Typical price | Higher | Suspiciously cheap |
If you've got questions about a part you're considering, whether it's ours or someone else's, feel free to get in touch. I'm happy to help you figure out what you're actually looking at before you spend your money.
Browse our full range of genuine carbon fibre parts at RB Innovations.