What is the difference between a “molded in” finish and a “painted” finish?

A “molded-in” or “molded” finish is pressed into the carbon fiber (Elite Tactical and Elite Hunter shell) or fiberglass (Standard shell) material when the stock is made. In order to remove the pigment from a molded finish, you would need to cut or scratch into the cloth material itself. Molded-in finishes are going to hold up to wear and tear (drops, scuffs and scrapes) better than a painted finish but will show any cosmetic flaws in the stock (eg, pinholes, overlapping carbon, etc).