My First Molding Hood/ICB Motorsports experience

[HondaHoon]

I was genuinely excited to have found one remaining new First Molding hood for my FL5 with a full carbon top and FRP bottom with the rain guard and mesh included in stock and ready to ship from the USA. From my understanding, ICB is the only authorized dealer in the USA for First Molding. I found this hood at ICB Motorsports. I asked people that I sourced, that had experience with ICB and First Molding products what they thought of their products after use, and what experiences they had with ICB. Most were positive. I paid over $2900 shipped to my door for the hood. Shipping went well minor two minor mishaps that luckily did not damage the hood. I know the hood only comes in gel coat. I know that gel coat can be flawed. However, in my opinion, this authentic Japanese made hood that is produced by a company that competes against Varis, Spoon and Mugen is unacceptable for the $2900+ that I paid. Not only are there very evident defects in the gel coat, but clearly, there are many defects in the carbon material itself. Many finger impressions along areas of the hood that had to be manipulated in place. Creating a wavy pattern throughout. Please keep in mind that the defects I photographed are not on both sides. Just what you see. The two milky dots at the peak of the raised edges of the hood cannot be sanded down to correct, as that may create pin holes in the base layer. My intent with any carbon fiber hood I bought, was to have it professionally prepared and clear coated and then mounted on the car for the community to see. However, now I am stuck painting the entire hood body color. I cant even leave the vented areas carbon because of the defects in the gel coat.

To make matters worse, is that I reached out to ICB to simply ask if these imperfections were normal. Did they inspect the hood prior to shipping it to me? What my options were. Etc. I sent them the included photographs. They advised that they could not see the images clearly. They provided me a detailed explanation that it is only gel coat. However, they did not say anything about the obvious to me imperfections in the carbon fiber material beneath the gel coat that looks like ASS. Honestly, I have seen Chinese carbon fiber products purchased off Ebay that looked better than this. I have not even checked fitment on the car yet because I am trying to figure out my options. It has been over 48 hours, and they have since ghosted me.

At this time, I would highly recommend NOT to do business with ICB Motorsports and if you decide to buy any large Japanese made product that will have to ship via freight, demand the company you are buying it from to send details photos of it prior to shipment.

I know this hood is salvagable by me just having it painted body color and I know I am still saving a little weight and will get better ventilation. However, wouldn't this make you upset? I am not a JDM purist by any stretch, but that one time I literally "buy in" to the hype of Japanese made, oh so good, I get burnt.

Let me know your thoughts.

 

[CG13]

I would not be pleased with much of what you’re showing in the photos.

Not wanting to hijack your thread, but it’s very much related: What does everyone think of the ethics of companies selling copies of others’ IP and capitalizing on their R&D and engineering costs?

It seems really common in the car parts space, especially with carbon products that can be used to make a copy mold. I see it with other types of parts as well. A company does R&D, aero testing, etc and then along come a bunch of copies. To me that’s theft and I don’t support it. Often, perhaps similar to ICB/FM, people will claim “it’s the same factory” as if that justifies it. Others will say the original parts are overpriced so they think it’s fair to take from the companies setting the price higher than they like.

I purchased the J’s Racing Phantom Dry hood for my FL5. I’m hoping the quality is far better than what you received.

 

[HondaHoon]

I would not be pleased with much of what you’re showing in the photos.

Not wanting to hijack your thread, but it’s very much related: What does everyone think of the ethics of companies selling copies of others’ IP and capitalizing on their R&D and engineering costs?

It seems really common in the car parts space, especially with carbon products that can be used to make a copy mold. I see it with other types of parts as well. A company does R&D, aero testing, etc and then along come a bunch of copies. To me that’s theft and I don’t support it. Often, perhaps similar to ICB/FM, people will claim “it’s the same factory” as if that justifies it. Others will say the original parts are overpriced so they think it’s fair to take from the companies setting the price higher than they like.

I purchased the J’s Racing Phantom Dry hood for my FL5. I’m hoping the quality is far better than what you received.

Well, I may be wrong but I think your hood is made by an entirely different process then 99% of the other hoods you are speaking of in your comment. But yes, I would hope for the $8k+ you are paying for a hood, and the insane wait time, you 1. Receive no defects & 2. It arrives undamaged. But there is always that fork lift fork waiting.

 

[CG13]

Well, I may be wrong but I think your hood is made by an entirely different process then 99% of the other hoods you are speaking of in your comment. But yes, I would hope for the $8k+ you are paying for a hood, and the insane wait time, you 1. Receive no defects & 2. It arrives undamaged. But there is always that fork lift fork waiting.

I hope it arrives undamaged as well. Shipping across the world provides a lot of risk though.

The process is important, in that many copies wouldn’t use a “dry carbon” preimpregnated process. But there will be copies made that attempt to pass for the real thing. It’s the same with a lot of carbon parts (bicycle frames, pickleball paddles, car parts, motorcycle parts, etc). The copies don’t have to meet the quality standards of the source parts - they just copy the look by making a mold for the size and shape. In some cases they copies can be high quality themselves (FM is likely an example) - but the ethics are not dependent on the quality. They’re still taking someone else’s work and copying it.

 

[HondaHoon]

I hope it arrives undamaged as well. Shipping across the world provides a lot of risk though.

The process is important, in that many copies wouldn’t use a “dry carbon” preimpregnated process. But there will be copies made that attempt to pass for the real thing. It’s the same with a lot of carbon parts (bicycle frames, pickleball paddles, car parts, motorcycle parts, etc). The copies don’t have to meet the quality standards of the source parts - they just copy the look by making a mold for the size and shape. In some cases they copies can be high quality themselves (FM is likely an example) - but the ethics are not dependent on the quality. They’re still taking someone else’s work and copying it.

First Molding is supposedly one of the highest regarded, oldest Japanese aftermarket parts manufactures in the game. Circa 1980. I am by no means trying to discredit your point that companies copy designs. But what does that have to do with my problem of an apparent poor quality example and shitty customer service from ICB Motorsports?

I thank you for your input on my thread. It is very nice that you can afford an $8k hood. Good for you. I wish you the best with your particular example and hope your example is the same or as good as another John Doe's example, and you dont end up with a blemish.

 

[CG13]

First Molding is supposedly one of the highest regarded, oldest Japanese aftermarket parts manufactures in the game. Circa 1980. I am by no means trying to discredit your point that companies copy designs. But what does that have to do with my problem of an apparent poor quality example and shitty customer service from ICB Motorsports?

I thank you for your input on my thread. It is very nice that you can afford an $8k hood. Good for you. I wish you the best with your particular example and hope your example is the same or as good as another John Doe's example, and you dont end up with a blemish.

I thought it was often discussed here that First Molding offers hoods that are “the same” as more well known brands.

The price of their hoods is quite a bit lower than the ones they appear to match. That’s what makes it relevant to the topic. You yourself mentioned “Chinese” products of better quality. That implies the same thing, copies of the “real” thing.

You received a bad example. I believe it’s worth considering the possibility that there are differences in quality when copies are produced to go along with an interesting ethical question.

 

[Allthingsfl5]

I thought it was often discussed here that First Molding offers hoods that are “the same” as more well known brands.

The price of their hoods is quite a bit lower than the ones they appear to match. That’s what makes it relevant to the topic. You yourself mentioned “Chinese” products of better quality. That implies the same thing, copies of the “real” thing.

You received a bad example. I believe it’s worth considering the possibility that there are differences in quality when copies are produced to go along with an interesting ethical question.

I was under the impression first molding actually makes js racing carbon hood.

 

[HondaHoon]

@CG13 First Molding is a Japanese manufacture. Most if not all the Japanese brands have items in their catalogue that share similarities to popular designs that are on the market. If you are simply referring to Chinese brands copying Japanese brands for cheaper, than this thread is not for you. I simply said I have seen a Chinese hood that had better quality in the carbon than mine. I was in no way reference possible Trademark infrigments. Please start another and stop posting here. You yourself said "not wanting to hijack your thread". Its official, you have. Its obvious that you think yourself higher than me because you can afford a more expensive Japanese made product. For the third time now, good for you.

Japanese brands are allowed to make stuff for less than Spoon, Mugen, and J's Racing. All well overpriced in my opinion. Trust me, they have bad examples as well.

 

[HondaHoon]

I was under the impression first molding actually makes js racing carbon hood.

They absolutely did for the FK8 brother. However, I cant find anything saying they are making it for the FL5. But your point is still VERY valid in my opinion. I just cannot get over my bad luck and why ICB Motorsports ghosted me.

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