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restoring carbon fibre

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budd View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote budd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: restoring carbon fibre
    Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 17:59
After finally removing the reluctant fasteners the rear hugger is off, and it’s in a bit of a state, see pic

 The main issue is the white blooming effect it as (the front mud guard isn’t much better) however when you wet the surface (see below) it improves it considerably so I’m hoping a coat of 2K clear coat will restore or at least enhance it somewhat.


The plan is to thoroughly wash it (dishwasher maybe if the wife is out) then flat with 2000 wet and dry then allow to fully dry out then finish with a couple of coats of 2K clear. Before I do this I just thought I’d ask if this is approximately the right method, or is there a better procedure or maybe something I’ve missed from the process, any comments most welcome    

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Zax View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zax Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 18:14
You will probably find that it will be possible to restore it without a wet-sand.
Before you go in with the "big guns " try a machine polish with some medium cutting compound.  - if it does not improve with a couple of hits  then go down the wetsanding route.
 
If you do it sympathetically then you wont have to re-clear it just polish out the sanding marks.
It is highly likely that someone in the past has used a harsh TFR (traffic Film Remover) on the bike and it has etched the top layer of clear coat.
 
I recently did all of my carbon including my exhausts and they were horribly discoloured .   - I am fairly sure that that can be saved with a little bit of work.
 
If you were near to me I would have had a go at that for you
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Zax View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zax Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 18:20
Collinite 476 Paste Wax is super durable and will not discolour the carbon.
 
Or something from the Zymol range  also which will not discolour anything
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Zax View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zax Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 18:28
Here is a car I did a few years ago
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budd View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote budd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 19:29

thanks for the advice I think your right in that something as attacked the OE clear, whether that is TFR or just sunlight is anyone’s guess, that’s why I was thinking some fine wet &dry or maybe just a scotch pad to prep the surface prior to some more scratch resistant 2K clear, my thoughts been this would effectively seal the carbon protecting it from further deterioration while and make maintaining it that much easier.

  

I've got various cutting compounds, Megs 105,3M finesse-it, G3 etc, I don't have any 476 but have some Colly 845 insulator wax and various DoDo juices (inc supernatural) plus a few other high carnauba content specialist waxes, I think pretty much any would be suitable but I sort of worry that because they tend to be very durable and resist ‘washing off’ if I do end up going done the clear coat route I may have awful problem with reactions ie fish eyes etc
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jimgreg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 19:55
Kinda jumping in a bit, but do you guys know anywhere that you send parts off to, to be restored? I don't really have the time or the facilities to do it myself

www.apriliaperformance.co.uk
www.apriliaforum.co.uk
www.apriliaownersclub.co.uk
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote camngetit Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 20:20
Had mine done at work in the bodyshop they looked like yours that was 5 years ago and they still shine like new ones
its twins for me !!!!
www.apriliaperformance.co.uk
www.apriliaforum.co.uk
www.apriliaownersclub.co.uk
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budd View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote budd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 20:59

Just had 10 mins in the garage, hit it with some megs 105 and a hexlogic orange pad and it looks 100% better already,


Although it appears to clear coat is porous as you can almost see the fibres underneath soaking up the compound, this improves the colour and definition of the carbon weave but I fear even with a durable wax coating it will take constant fettling to keep it looking like this, so long term clear coat may be preferable, I think when I have a go with the front mud guard I’ll flat it shot some clear coat on it., see how that compares    

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Zax View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Zax Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 21:25
Just keep hitting it with the megs, the quality of the top coat can be a bit iffy  but if you use a quality glaze it will help fill /  hide the porosity as well as seal it from tar spots and road crud as well as keeping it looking good .
 
Just goes to show you what a little bit of research and elbow grease can do  -  Top result so far keep up the good work 
 
 
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budd View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote budd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 09:16
Originally posted by Zax Zax wrote:

Just keep hitting it with the megs, the quality of the top coat can be a bit iffy  but if you use a quality glaze it will help fill /  hide the porosity as well as seal it from tar spots and road crud as well as keeping it looking good .
 
Just goes to show you what a little bit of research and elbow grease can do  -  Top result so far keep up the good work 
 
 


your right the research and your advice paid off, I didn't expect simply buffing it would work quite that well but it only took a few minutes to see the results and working such a small part isn't hard work so I'm pretty pleased with the finish so far .
I've given it a once over with the megs 105 but it needs a bit more work so I think I'll refine it with a finer cut, I've got some autobrite hellshine fine cut polish to try so I'll give it a go with some of that, the megs can leave a fine white residue the hellshine doesn't do this so is likely better for finishing the process.
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