I leave my Marstorm carbon stick up on my Tornado in a boat yard in Southern California. It's two years old now and not appreciable signs of trouble with the clear-coating. I do expect to need to re-finish it at some point. I would consider painting it...but have heard I might get challenged on it at a class event...they might think it has been modified to change flex characteristics. Also, just the pure beauty of seeing all the carbon twill helps make the no-painting decision easier :-)

Mike.