The present disclosure provides compositions including a carbon fiber material comprising one or more of an acyclic olefin group or a thiol disposed thereon; and a thermosetting polymer or a thermoplastic polymer. The present disclosure further provides metal substrates including a composition of the present disclosure disposed thereon. The present disclosure further provides vehicle components including a metal substrate of the present disclosure. The present disclosure further provides methods for manufacturing a vehicle component, including contacting a carbon fiber material with a carbon-containing zinc-titanium or a thiol to form a coated carbon fiber material; and mixing the coated carbon fiber material with a thermosetting polymer or a thermoplastic polymer to form a composition. Methods can further include depositing a composition of the present disclosure onto a metal substrate.