Composite Parts Care & Storage Guide

How to Properly Handle, Care For, and Store Your Fiberglass and Carbon Fiber Parts

Composite automotive parts are an excellent way to reduce weight, improve performance, and achieve the look you want for your project. However, like any automotive component, composite parts need to be handled and stored properly—especially when they will not be installed right away.

This guide provides general recommendations for caring for and storing fiberglass, carbon fiber, and other composite automotive parts.

IMPORTANT: Inspect Your Order When It Arrives

Before You Store It, Inspect It.

If you are not planning to install your part immediately, it is especially important that you inspect the part as soon as it is delivered.

Before putting your part into storage:

1. Verify your order.

  • Confirm that you received the correct part.

  • Verify the quantity.

  • Check that any included hardware or accessories are present.

2. Inspect the actual part.

  • Carefully inspect the entire part for shipping damage.

  • Pay particular attention to corners, edges, mounting areas, and other vulnerable areas.

  • Do not rely solely on the condition of the shipping box.

3. Confirm that you are satisfied with the part.
Make sure the part is the correct product and that its condition meets your expectations before placing it into long-term storage.

4. Document the condition.
We recommend taking photographs of the part and its packaging when your order arrives. This can be helpful if there is ever a question regarding shipping damage or the condition of the part at the time of delivery.

Why is this important?

Once a part has been stored for several months or years, it can be difficult to determine when damage occurred or whether the part was damaged during shipping, handling, or storage.

If you discover damage, an incorrect part, missing items, or another issue with your order, contact us as soon as possible. Do not wait until you are ready to install the part months or years later.

Handling Your Composite Parts

Fiberglass and carbon fiber parts are strong, but they are not indestructible. Improper handling can cause cracking, damage to edges, or distortion.

When moving a large composite panel, support it with both hands and multiple points of support whenever possible.

Avoid carrying large panels by a single edge, corner, mounting tab, or other small area.

Be especially careful with:

  • Hoods

  • Trunk lids

  • Fenders

  • Doors

  • Spoilers

  • Deck lids

  • Valances

  • Other large or thin composite panels

Do not drop, drag, bend, or twist composite parts.

Proper Storage

If your part will not be installed immediately, proper storage is critical.

Store Indoors

Whenever possible, store composite parts indoors in a clean, dry environment protected from the elements.

Avoid storing parts:

  • Outdoors

  • In direct sunlight

  • Where rain or water can reach them

  • In areas with excessive humidity or moisture

  • Near heaters, furnaces, or other high-heat sources

  • In areas with large temperature fluctuations

  • Where they can be exposed to chemicals or solvents

A clean garage or workshop can be an appropriate storage location as long as the part is protected from moisture, excessive heat, and direct sunlight.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Long-term exposure to UV light can affect composite materials and their finishes.

Whenever possible, keep stored parts away from direct sunlight, windows, and other sources of prolonged UV exposure.

A clean, breathable protective covering can be used to help protect the part from dust and light.

Do not tightly seal a part in non-breathable plastic if there is a possibility of moisture becoming trapped inside.

Support the Part Properly

One of the most important considerations when storing a composite body panel is how it is supported.

Composite panels should be supported at multiple points so the weight of the part is distributed evenly.

Use padded supports whenever possible.

Avoid allowing a large panel to:

  • Rest on a single corner

  • Rest on a narrow edge for extended periods

  • Hang from one mounting point

  • Sag between supports

  • Be forced into a shape different from its intended shape

Never place heavy objects on top of composite parts.

Even if the part appears strong enough to support the weight, prolonged pressure can potentially cause distortion or damage.

Keep the Original Packaging

If you plan to store your part for an extended period, we recommend keeping the original packaging whenever practical.

The packaging can help protect the part from:

  • Dust

  • Scratches

  • Accidental impacts

  • Other objects in your garage or shop

  • General shop activity

However, inspect the packaging periodically.

If packaging becomes wet or begins trapping moisture against the part, remove or replace it.

The goal is to protect the part without trapping moisture.

Cleaning Your Composite Parts

For general cleaning, use mild automotive soap, clean water, and a soft microfiber towel or other non-abrasive material.

Avoid aggressive chemicals, harsh solvents, abrasive cleaners, and rough materials unless they are specifically approved for the particular finish on your part.

If you clean a part before storage, make sure it is completely dry before putting it away.

Never intentionally store a wet or damp composite part for an extended period.

Periodically Check Long-Term Storage

If your part is going to sit in storage for several months or longer, periodically check on it.

Inspect the part and its surrounding storage area for:

  • Moisture

  • Condensation

  • Scratches

  • Impact damage

  • Changes in the finish

  • Warping or distortion

  • Damage to edges or mounting points

  • Improper support

  • Objects that may have been placed on top of the part

This is particularly important if the part is stored in a garage, workshop, or other area that experiences changes in temperature or humidity.

Before Installation

When you are finally ready to install your composite part, inspect it again.

Make sure that the part has remained properly supported and has not been damaged during storage.

For body panels, we strongly recommend test fitting the part before painting, cutting, drilling, or permanently modifying it.

This allows you to identify any installation-related adjustments before the part receives its final finish.

Composite parts may require normal preparation, trimming, sanding, adjustment, or finishing depending on the specific product and application.

Always follow any product-specific installation instructions provided with your part.

Composite Parts: Do's & Don'ts

DO

✓ Inspect your order immediately after delivery.

✓ Verify that you received the correct parts and quantities.

✓ Check the actual parts for shipping damage.

✓ Take photographs of the parts and packaging when they arrive.

✓ Store parts indoors whenever possible.

✓ Keep parts away from direct sunlight and excessive heat.

✓ Keep parts clean and dry.

✓ Use padded, evenly distributed supports.

✓ Keep the original packaging when practical.

✓ Periodically inspect parts that are being stored long-term.

✓ Test fit body panels before painting or permanently modifying them.

✓ Contact us promptly if you discover shipping damage, missing items, or an incorrect part.

DON'T

✗ Don't assume a part is undamaged just because the shipping box looks fine.

✗ Don't wait months or years to report damage discovered after delivery.

✗ Don't store composite parts outdoors.

✗ Don't leave parts sitting in direct sunlight for extended periods.

✗ Don't store parts where they can get wet or exposed to excessive moisture.

✗ Don't place heavy objects on composite panels.

✗ Don't support large panels on a single corner or small area.

✗ Don't drag or drop composite parts.

✗ Don't bend, twist, or force panels into an unnatural position for storage.

✗ Don't use harsh chemicals or abrasive materials without confirming they are safe for the part's finish.

✗ Don't seal potentially damp parts in airtight plastic for long-term storage.

✗ Don't paint, cut, drill, or permanently modify a body panel before test fitting it.

Important Storage & Condition Notice

Composite parts are intended to be handled, stored, and installed properly. The customer is responsible for properly inspecting, handling, and storing the part after delivery.

We strongly recommend inspecting your order immediately upon receipt and documenting the condition of the part and packaging before placing it into storage.

Damage resulting from improper handling, improper storage, exposure to moisture, excessive heat, prolonged UV exposure, impacts, dropping, bending, improper support, or other conditions occurring after delivery may not be considered shipping damage or a manufacturing defect, and may void the warranty.

If you receive a part that appears damaged, incorrect, or incomplete, please contact us promptly and before attempting repairs, modifications, painting, installation, or other work on the part.

Keeping your composite parts properly protected from the time they arrive until the day they are installed will give you the best chance of keeping them in the condition they were intended to be in.

Questions?

If you are unsure about how to handle, store, prepare, or install a particular composite part, contact us before making modifications to the part. Product-specific recommendations may vary depending on the design, material, finish, and intended application.