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View Full Version : *Request* Make CF look new again



ShadySi
06-05-2008, 05:51 AM
There was an thread on the old EPhatch about making carbon fiber look new again by wet sanding and sparing clear over it.. Could someone post it agaian?

buff4lo
06-13-2008, 09:55 AM
i had the same problem,
all i did was wetsand it with 2000 grit, then use a three stage buffing, with all the compounds and whatnot.

it looks fine

ShadySi
06-13-2008, 10:55 AM
you didn't use clear coat on it? from the last DIY, i twas restoring and clearing.. I guess I'll mess around with some sand paper next weekend. if worst comes to worse, I'll just paint it LOL

rekom
06-13-2008, 11:45 AM
Well i was able to fix mine. It came out better than I thought, but not as good as it would if I payed someone to clear it..

1. I wetsanded it with 1500 grit Sand Paper
2. Wetsanded with 2000 grit sand paper.
3. Give it a good cleaning and make sure its dry
4. I bought x2 $5 cans of clear from AutoPart Store.
5. Sprayed it in the shade. (make sure to make even strokes Left to Right, Right to Left)
6. Let it dry a good day or two before wiping it..!



total cost $20 bucks!


There was an thread on the old EPhatch about making carbon fiber look new again by wet sanding and sparing clear over it.. Could someone post it agaian?

FoReVaPmP
06-13-2008, 11:54 AM
Well i was able to fix mine. It came out better than I thought, but not as good as it would if I payed someone to clear it..

1. I wetsanded it with 1500 grit Sand Paper
2. Wetsanded with 2000 grit sand paper.
3. Give it a good cleaning and make sure its dry
4. I bought x2 $5 cans of clear from AutoPart Store.
5. Sprayed it in the shade. (make sure to make even strokes Left to Right, Right to Left)
6. Let it dry a good day or two before wiping it..!



total cost $20 bucks!

Pics of it finished...???....:mredface:

ShadySi
06-13-2008, 03:23 PM
you didn't go back and wet sand again after clear? or polish?


oh, and pics :msmile:

jdm_ep3
06-13-2008, 07:31 PM
i will be doing this too if it dont turn out good them ima just paint it.

parkjehhyun
06-13-2008, 11:15 PM
damn i need some professional help with this stuff.. the shape of the wing makes it difficult to apply real pressure and get through the oxidation. so frustrating!

phister
06-14-2008, 03:18 AM
My friends and I use a professional 3M rubbing compound you can find at any auto paint shop. We use that first to get all the oxidation off then go back and use a high polish over it all. Works wonders!!! Friends dad has an auto paint shop so he recommended it to us instead of wet sanding and stuff. Easy to do and super quick.

ShadySi
06-14-2008, 07:07 AM
My friends and I use a professional 3M rubbing compound you can find at any auto paint shop. We use that first to get all the oxidation off then go back and use a high polish over it all. Works wonders!!! Friends dad has an auto paint shop so he recommended it to us instead of wet sanding and stuff. Easy to do and super quick.

i might try that very soon. I'll take pics if i do :mcool:

phister
06-14-2008, 11:21 AM
Just make sure you use an electric buffer/waxer. I shouldve took pictures of my friend cf before and after, it looked brand new right before he sold it.

ShadySi
06-14-2008, 10:25 PM
Just make sure you use an electric buffer/waxer. I shouldve took pictures of my friend cf before and after, it looked brand new right before he sold it.

I'm a man.. I'll do it by hand.. the surface isn't THAT big...:mconfused:

it'll probably just take and hour or two lol

epshtielsl
06-18-2008, 07:45 AM
I had some HARDCORE oxidation on my CF hatch. My mom left it outside uncovered for a year while I was at VaTech. I just got rid of it yesterday. Process:

1. Wash car to get rid of any debris
2. Wetsand with 1000 grit sandpaper. Rinse often to check your progress
3. Wetsand with 1500 grit sandpaper.
4. 3M Rubbing compound with rotary buffer.
5. Wipe with towel
6. Wax

I didn't take any before and after pictures, but it came out nicely. 2000 grit sandpaper is a waste of time.

aaronfelipe
06-18-2008, 07:59 AM
I would just get it re-cleared. Here is one good reason.


Before:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/174/402903771_0afcfebbb4_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2036/2113551402_5ecfc9416b_o.jpg


After:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/2577945926_146d91d8a0_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3103/2577113107_ed5194e14b_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3065/2577945802_543972128f_o.jpg

ShadySi
06-18-2008, 08:19 AM
that looks real clean... how much did it run you to get that hood re-cleared? I just have a wedge about 1/8th of your hood to get cleared lol

aaronfelipe
06-18-2008, 08:28 AM
that looks real clean... how much did it run you to get that hood re-cleared? I just have a wedge about 1/8th of your hood to get cleared lol

To tell you the truth, I wou just get the whole thing re-cleared because it will otherwise look and feel uneven. It shouldn't run more than a couple hundred bucks to do the whole thing, especially since the Ep3's hood is smaller.

rspjean
06-18-2008, 09:18 AM
i think i might do this during the weekend. my wing looks horrid.

epshtielsl
06-18-2008, 10:23 AM
lol a few hundred bucks to reclear it? Just buy a new wing/hood. Not really worth it IMO. You could just follow the steps I used and add in the Automotive clear step.

ShadySi
06-18-2008, 10:48 AM
To tell you the truth, I wou just get the whole thing re-cleared because it will otherwise look and feel uneven. It shouldn't run more than a couple hundred bucks to do the whole thing, especially since the Ep3's hood is smaller.

its the wing piece, thats why its an 8th of the hood heh. I may try the automotive clear route.. and if that turns out crappy, I'll just paint ie :mangel:

Kleinengines
06-18-2008, 09:34 PM
This was great for making my wing look new agian.
Thanks

jdtim
06-19-2008, 11:18 AM
my cousin just got his redone for around 80 bucks. he found a local guy on a local forum. he sanded, cleared, and buffed. turned out great

phister
06-19-2008, 11:30 PM
Alot of companys that make cf parts say you should have it cleared once you get the part before you even put it on. CF starts to fade and wear between 3-5 usually, but if you add another layer of clear coat once you get it, it'll last 7+ years they say. Thats what I did with my hood when I first got it.

STP03BlueSI
06-20-2008, 06:34 AM
Doin mine this weekend.:mredface:

ShadySi
06-20-2008, 07:32 AM
Doin mine this weekend.:mredface:

you gonna clear it too? take pics plz! I may do mine this weekend as well..

STP03BlueSI
06-20-2008, 08:29 AM
you gonna clear it too? take pics plz! I may do mine this weekend as well..

Yes I will be taking pictures.:mbiggrin:

Thinkin about doin it like this
http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=63197

minivan_assassin
06-23-2008, 07:18 AM
my cousin just got his redone for around 80 bucks. he found a local guy on a local forum. he sanded, cleared, and buffed. turned out great


How much did they charge to clear coat it? $80 sounds about right, but a couple hundred sounds like butt rape. My hood looks like crap

STP03BlueSI
06-23-2008, 06:30 PM
Spent all weekend sanding it. Have some spots to touch up on. but not many.

Couldnt spray due to the rain...hopefully this weekend.:painkiller:

dichotomous
06-24-2008, 04:43 AM
I think mine may be beyond this stage, cracks deep through the clearcoat though not into the weave in most places, though it looks like its peeling off the weave in a couple. new hood time?

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n205/dichotomous/Si/0624081044a.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n205/dichotomous/Si/0624081045a.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n205/dichotomous/Si/0624081046a.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n205/dichotomous/Si/0624081046b.jpg
the "good" side
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n205/dichotomous/Si/0624081047a.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n205/dichotomous/Si/0624081047b.jpg

STP03BlueSI
06-24-2008, 08:51 AM
I think mine may be beyond this stage, cracks deep through the clearcoat though not into the weave in most places, though it looks like its peeling off the weave in a couple. new hood time?

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n205/dichotomous/Si/0624081044a.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n205/dichotomous/Si/0624081045a.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n205/dichotomous/Si/0624081046a.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n205/dichotomous/Si/0624081046b.jpg
the "good" side
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n205/dichotomous/Si/0624081047a.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n205/dichotomous/Si/0624081047b.jpg


Nothing is gone with out some time and work.

Mine had some nasty scratches, and pits. but they will all work out in the end.:hail: