You are correct when you use carbon fiber as you described. However, if you were to continue adding additional coats of epoxy or resin you would eventually fill in the bumpiness (texture) of the carbon and achieve the high gloss look. The part shown in the reference image is a molded part and not carbon with a separate…
Something to notice about the reference image. You will notice the carbon pattern continues across the center line. Your carbon is mirrored over the center line. The only way you would be able to get this in the real world is to have two pieces of carbon cloth meet at the middle which would be about next to impossible.…