Carbon Fiber problem
Evolving Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 231
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From: Federal Way, WA
not wanting to start anything hostile here but i would of thought you would want to use something less abbrassive than 360 wet and dry... personally i would be starting with 600 then work down to 800 then finally to a 1200 to remove almost all the swirls... and you will deffinately want to use water...
Acetone is possibly a little too strong as well it may melt the remaining clear coat try something a little milder like prepsol or a wax and grease remover then rinse off with water
sorry i too am speaking from experience and this is the process i have used...
Acetone is possibly a little too strong as well it may melt the remaining clear coat try something a little milder like prepsol or a wax and grease remover then rinse off with water
sorry i too am speaking from experience and this is the process i have used...
Acetone is strong but you want something that evaporates fast... Also this is why I mentioned Isopropyl Alcohol(not as harsh as Acetone)... Soap and Water will work but not being a solvent it might not get everything off the surface. Leaving unwanted spraying defects(fish eyes or maybe an orange peel effect) NEVER DUMP SOLVENTS DIRECTLY ONTO THE PART... always use a rag or cloth of some sort.
If you read my second post it said that you could use a really fine sandpaper and sand/buff the clear... that is just for a touch-up; not even have to worry about going down to the carbon
I mentioned using an orbital/DA sander(assuming you want complete removal), the idea behind this is that it works the surface away slowly and whomever is sanding has control over how deep, how fast. Once you know your through the clear you gotta stop... this will leave a nice smooth surface. Carbon is thin but you won't go through a layer as soon as you hit it... you have a little play not much.
In the end GDS its up to you so however you want to have it done...
Evolving Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 231
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From: Federal Way, WA
The reason for why the C/F is going yellow is that they most likely do not use a clear coat because you don't need one - the reason why new carbon fibre has that glossy look is because when they make the part they need to use a resin to absorb into the C.F (the same as how you make fiberglass ) now depending on what type of resin they used also plays a minor part in this there are two types of resin that can be used a polyester type( which has some flex in it ) and the same type that you use for making boats etc.. sorry gone a bit off topic here
The C.F has gone yellow due to Ultra Violet light there is nothing that you can really do about this but you can try some polishes that will protect against U.V I have not heard of any one brand that gives 100% coverage you will have to search for it... you can take the C.F part to get clearcoated it may help but it will still need to be very gently by hand sanded and don't use a course grade as it will gouge the resin coating and may damage the C.F
Have you tried using something similar to a "Mothers clay bar" on it I have heard from others that this has help reduce some of the discolouration try this first before sanding
The C.F has gone yellow due to Ultra Violet light there is nothing that you can really do about this but you can try some polishes that will protect against U.V I have not heard of any one brand that gives 100% coverage you will have to search for it... you can take the C.F part to get clearcoated it may help but it will still need to be very gently by hand sanded and don't use a course grade as it will gouge the resin coating and may damage the C.F
Have you tried using something similar to a "Mothers clay bar" on it I have heard from others that this has help reduce some of the discolouration try this first before sanding
You are right about the resin though... however it is how the carbon is autoclaved as well... if your autoclave it with a perforated peel ply it will leave a dull surface(ready for paint or clear) if you autoclave(basically cook) it with a non-perforated peel ply it will leave nice glossy surface not needing any protective coating. sorry im
as well
Last edited by Optimus; Jul 22, 2007 at 04:11 AM.
Evolving Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 231
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From: Federal Way, WA
another option if your worried about the whole sanding process - see if there is someone in your area that does media blasting. Like sand blasting but they use plastic or glass beads instead of sand... this process will remove the surface coating and leave the carbon untouched.
Might cost a bit more though.
Might cost a bit more though.
I had a similar problem but the clear hadn't chipped or peeled away yet....
I went to to a body shop and had them wet sand the entire hood and buff it out once complete....it cost me $100 total...looked better than new when I picked it up...keep waxing it too to extend the life of your CF hood.....
Here's a pic AFTER the work....soooo clean and shiny!!
I went to to a body shop and had them wet sand the entire hood and buff it out once complete....it cost me $100 total...looked better than new when I picked it up...keep waxing it too to extend the life of your CF hood.....
Here's a pic AFTER the work....soooo clean and shiny!!
Evolved Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 808
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From: Freehold, NJ
i know its not real CF but im having the same problem with the "evo" wing i bought...
its actually chipping here:
...i did purchase it used already knowing it was slightly weathered but its gottan much worse within the past year, the clear coat really has detereorated from the sun and such soo id like to get it reclear coated. i AM however going to be getting the RRM CF hood soon and im very nervous about this happening and corect me if im wrong but cant you get a type of clear coat or protectant sprayed on to help prevent and protect it?
*EDIT and yes i do feel like a bad parent driving my baby around like that....she deserves better i know
...but shhh shes being treated to a brandy new set of passion 5 tenzo r's this week...sorry for the OT
its actually chipping here:
...i did purchase it used already knowing it was slightly weathered but its gottan much worse within the past year, the clear coat really has detereorated from the sun and such soo id like to get it reclear coated. i AM however going to be getting the RRM CF hood soon and im very nervous about this happening and corect me if im wrong but cant you get a type of clear coat or protectant sprayed on to help prevent and protect it?
*EDIT and yes i do feel like a bad parent driving my baby around like that....she deserves better i know
...but shhh shes being treated to a brandy new set of passion 5 tenzo r's this week...sorry for the OT
Last edited by Ralli04; Jul 30, 2007 at 04:25 PM.
i know its not real CF but im having the same problem with the "evo" wing i bought...
its actually chipping here:
...i did purchase it used already knowing it was slightly weathered but its gottan much worse within the past year, the clear coat really has detereorated from the sun and such soo id like to get it reclear coated. i AM however going to be getting the RRM CF hood soon and im very nervous about this happening and corect me if im wrong but cant you get a type of clear coat or protectant sprayed on to help prevent and protect it?
*EDIT and yes i do feel like a bad parent driving my baby around like that....she deserves better i know ...but shhh shes being treated to a brandy new set of passion 5 tenzo r's this week...sorry for the OT
its actually chipping here:
...i did purchase it used already knowing it was slightly weathered but its gottan much worse within the past year, the clear coat really has detereorated from the sun and such soo id like to get it reclear coated. i AM however going to be getting the RRM CF hood soon and im very nervous about this happening and corect me if im wrong but cant you get a type of clear coat or protectant sprayed on to help prevent and protect it?
*EDIT and yes i do feel like a bad parent driving my baby around like that....she deserves better i know
...but shhh shes being treated to a brandy new set of passion 5 tenzo r's this week...sorry for the OTuh, evo wings are real cf...
Evolving Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: Federal Way, WA
i think he meant its a knock off wing... the only difference in a real evo wing and the aftermarket ones are the aftermarket ones are most likely 1 or 2 pieces of carbon fiber wrapped around a fiberglass center.... unlike the mitsu ones that are CF all the way through thats why they cost so much more...
This is the most important part of CF maintenance that nobody has mentioned on here. CF requires more upkeep than paint. Getting it shot with some clear coat once you first get it isn't a bad idea either.
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