Recleared my Carbon Fiber Hood
08-12-2009, 05:40 PM
#1
Recleared my Carbon Fiber Hood
I spent a total of $21 wet-sanding and reclearing my CF hood. The results were better than I could have imagined.
I do not have before pictures, but suffice to say it weas really hazy. I can still see the haze a little bit, but the clear really hid it very well.
I started with 1000 grit under a constant stream of water (hose). I knew it was going to be hazy after wetsanding. I then wet-sanded again with spray water and some dish soap. The sanding block slid very well along the hood with the soap.
I then cleaned it off, used a tack cloth to clean the hood, and then cleared the hood inside the house (because of the humidity here in Florida). Shhhhhhhhh. Don't tell my wife. She was away for the weekend.
Anyway, I was surprised because even the clear coat from a rattle can (Duplicolor) went on well, no runny paint. Hardly any overspray. I put eight (8) coats of clearcoat on the hood.
After it dried indoors (this was key) for two days, I took it outdoors to dry even more and bake a little in the Florida sun.
After it dried for a total of four days, I lightly wet-sanded the hood (and I mean lightly) with 3000 grit sandpaper. I got down all of the orange peel so it's all flat. I then buffed it using MeGuier's Ultimate Compound, and then Meguier's polish. I'm going to wait two weeks to wax the hood.
Enjoy the pics.
I do not have before pictures, but suffice to say it weas really hazy. I can still see the haze a little bit, but the clear really hid it very well.
I started with 1000 grit under a constant stream of water (hose). I knew it was going to be hazy after wetsanding. I then wet-sanded again with spray water and some dish soap. The sanding block slid very well along the hood with the soap.
I then cleaned it off, used a tack cloth to clean the hood, and then cleared the hood inside the house (because of the humidity here in Florida). Shhhhhhhhh. Don't tell my wife. She was away for the weekend.
Anyway, I was surprised because even the clear coat from a rattle can (Duplicolor) went on well, no runny paint. Hardly any overspray. I put eight (8) coats of clearcoat on the hood.
After it dried indoors (this was key) for two days, I took it outdoors to dry even more and bake a little in the Florida sun.
After it dried for a total of four days, I lightly wet-sanded the hood (and I mean lightly) with 3000 grit sandpaper. I got down all of the orange peel so it's all flat. I then buffed it using MeGuier's Ultimate Compound, and then Meguier's polish. I'm going to wait two weeks to wax the hood.
Enjoy the pics.
08-12-2009, 06:29 PM
#5
The sizzle in the Steak
08-12-2009, 07:06 PM
#6
Looks good. I'm not really familiar with paint and body work all that much but I'm pretty sure CF needs a special clear coat because regular clear doesn't adhere to it all that well. This is why you see tons of Evo VIIIs with faded and peeling clear on the factory wings, and why cars like the C6 ZR1 use that special clear that costs $60,000 a gallon or something like that on the roof. Hopefully it holds up.
Trending Topics
08-12-2009, 08:31 PM
#10
Looks good. I'm not really familiar with paint and body work all that much but I'm pretty sure CF needs a special clear coat because regular clear doesn't adhere to it all that well. This is why you see tons of Evo VIIIs with faded and peeling clear on the factory wings, and why cars like the C6 ZR1 use that special clear that costs $60,000 a gallon or something like that on the roof. Hopefully it holds up.
08-12-2009, 08:33 PM
#11
on the hood and smeared it around.This time I painted it in my house when the wifey was gone for the weekend. Low humidity. Don't tell her.
08-12-2009, 08:40 PM
#12
Drifting
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Madison, Nj || Woodbridge, CT
Age: 34
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
there is no such thing as 60,000 $ a gallon clear coat. i promise.
it may be 600$ a gallon (which is still unbelievable and unrealistic)
think about it.. your paying that+ for the car itself.
it may be 600$ a gallon (which is still unbelievable and unrealistic)
think about it.. your paying that+ for the car itself.
08-12-2009, 11:01 PM
#15
Burning Brakes
Actually, the UV-blocking chemical additive to the clear coat costs $60,000 a gallon and the clear coat with the additive mixed in comes to $2,000 a gallon.
GM engineers developed an additive for the clear coat that could be applied over the carbon fiber to preserve it. The ZR1 is the first car ever to have a carbon fiber clear coat that will last the life of the car. The chemical additive costs $60,000 a gallon and the clear coat with the additive mixed in comes to $2,000 a gallon.
08-12-2009, 11:06 PM
#16
Needs more Lemon Pledge
Nice work. Love the DIY.
08-13-2009, 03:06 AM
#19
At least I remembered the correct number for something 
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
08_UA7_Gr33k
Member Cars for Sale
13
02-11-2016 02:17 PM
LogicWavelength
3G TL Photograph Gallery
33
11-01-2015 09:38 AM
