Refinishing carbon fiber parts?

[number9]

So my experience with polishing the aluminum exhaust went really well. Now, I have a CF front mudguard that I want to refinish. It's not cracked or anything, but the clearcoast looks crappy - it's a little cloudy, some shades of it appear to be different tints.

How do I go about fixing it? Wet-sand it with maybe 320 and then 600-grit paper, then just clear-coat it with urethane or something? I have no real idea where to begin with this...

[number9]

Da pics:

[dhuze]

I would wet sand with 800 grit first to see how it looks. I don't know how thick the original coating is. Clear coat it with clear coat. Buy it at auto parts stores.

[number9]

Thanks dhuze. So that's all you really do, sand & coat? Does the clear coat come in a spray (either for a spray gun, or can) or do I paint it on? I'm guessing it comes in a spray can...

[dhuze]

You can get it in a rattle can. The problem with that method is it tends to get splotchy.You need to put on thin layers then you are going to have to buff it to get rid of the splotchyness. You could try buffing it before you wet sand it. Those pictures look like the clearcoat has air trapped underneath. If thats the case you might be in for a lot more work then just sanding and re-clearcoating.

[benVFR]

If it's not air bubbles it could be delamination.. but since it's not structural probably no big deal if you can't get it perfect again.

You could always paint it.

[number9]

dhuze: Maybe I could find a paint shop and just ask them to clear-coat it for me? I have an electric buffer, I could probably give that a shot on it before I do anything; but I don't know what to use for a buffing compound. If it does have air underneath, what am I in for then?

benVFR: I actually bought it used to replace my crappy OEM fender, which is red. I don't want to have to paint this one if it's just delamination, do I just sand it like dhuze suggests?

[Doc]

That has to be a 900ss.

[Paul_E_D]

hen you clear it, you will get lots of dimples. Carbon just sucks that way. It will require tons of sanding and re-clearing to get a smooth finish. I'm not sayin don't do it, just don't expect a perfest result. It will likely look better than it does now. Real automotive clear is the only way.

[number9]

Doc: It is. The photos aren't mine, but I've got a 900SS that it's going on to.

Paul: Thanks... I'll lower my expectations accordingly. When you say "real automotive clear", do you mean a rattle can isn't quite good enough?

[Paul_E_D]

Exactly. You need the thick stuff. Dupont Chroma-clear to be precise.