DIY: Repair/Prep Carbon Fiber Hood

Since my CF Hood has loved the FL sun..but the scratches and what not hasnt.

So I am redoing it. - I have no prev body shop skills, this is just from reading on many different forums and trying it myself.

Parts needed
2x600 grit (i have some deep scratches)
2x800
2x1000
2x1500
2x2000
Water bottle with couple drops of soap
Bowl of water to soak paper
Buffer
bag o rags
Tack cloth
2x acrylic clear(will be prob doing something else soon)
Turtle Wax rubbing compound
case of beer
and time.

Here is how it looked.
http://brut-photography.smugmug.com/...61_JqzNz-L.jpg

http://brut-photography.smugmug.com/...76_4SDCz-L.jpg

Now I have tried everything from just about everything from just coating it with wax, and a shiner, to Mothers polish..yes. none worked.

Step 1 - Prep the hood by removing wax with clay bar, and degresser.
Step 2 - Place the hood either on the ground or up so can be worked on easily.
Step 3 - Spray the hood with water and start sanding with either the 600 or 800(Depending on damage)
http://brut-photography.smugmug.com/...27_aWvG5-L.jpg
Now you should be getting a white slime coming off the hood, that is the wax, and clearcoat.
http://brut-photography.smugmug.com/...73_jG8ft-L.jpg

Before
http://brut-photography.smugmug.com/...56_VRYRi-M.jpg
After
http://brut-photography.smugmug.com/...33_LRr4X-L.jpg

Step 4 - Spray down hood and decide if needs more of the 600/800 or go to next. I needed more.
http://brut-photography.smugmug.com/...63_5kkj3-L.jpg

http://brut-photography.smugmug.com/...52_WHCps-L.jpg

Step 5 (FOR 800 GRIT) - When sanding get it to look like this. All Oxidaton will be removed. THis is after sanding and letting it dry.
http://brut-photography.smugmug.com/...74_CKQCG-L.jpg

Step 6 - Wash and check again - This is after the 800. PHOTOS WITH WATER ON HOOD
http://brut-photography.smugmug.com/...84_zubM8-L.jpg

http://brut-photography.smugmug.com/...49_EJXgM-L.jpg
Drying
http://brut-photography.smugmug.com/...09_teeca-L.jpg

Step 7 - Hit lightly with the 1000 -

Step 8 - Then buff. I didnt SPRAY during this. I decided to just try and buff it to see how it looked.
http://brut-photography.smugmug.com/...61_4ELMm-L.jpg

Step 9 - Wax. - After a day of sitting it went back to looking dull
http://brut-photography.smugmug.com/...99_bNgQW-L.jpg

So now I am in the process of spraying it.

Ill update it when i am done spraying it. If it doesnt come out, it will be getting a coat of VBP:mangel:

I did all that with mine, but it was kinda rushed. Sanded with 800 grit 2 times, then 2000 grit 2 times. I had rattle can clear from duplicolor and it doesnt make it shine like it used to. Buffed it out with rubbing compound and it made it a bit better. But i succeeded in removing all the oxidation. Gotta decided what i am goin to do with it next year. For now ill run it a lil dull but the carbon fiber still looks amazing. Especially since I dont have basically white spots on it anymore.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Emerica459

I did all that with mine, but it was kinda rushed. Sanded with 800 grit 2 times, then 2000 grit 2 times. I had rattle can clear from duplicolor and it doesnt make it shine like it used to. Buffed it out with rubbing compound and it made it a bit better. But i succeeded in removing all the oxidation. Gotta decided what i am goin to do with it next year. For now ill run it a lil dull but the carbon fiber still looks amazing. Especially since I dont have basically white spots on it anymore.

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Yea I just finished putting a full can of paint on it. and really fin high..but its ok.

Letting it dry and see how it is tomorrow. Ill shot some shots when I get home from work.

I might hit it with the Wheel Clear since it is a high temp paint.:mangel:

Keep us posted. Nice work.

subscribed:pop2:

nice work man cant wait for the finsh pic

damn... looks good so far. how much time did u put in to it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tonysi

subscribed:pop2:

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yep

you should have done it more in steps.

800 to 1500 to 2000

then just buff HARD with a cutting pad and some rubbing compound.

that should get rid of the haze.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mikhsoj

you should have done it more in steps.

800 to 1500 to 2000

then just buff HARD with a cutting pad and some rubbing compound.

that should get rid of the haze.

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I am gonna add more to it. I checked it this am and looked pretty good.

I am gonna hit it with the 1500/2000 when i get home. :mcool: