nf3d0149ab

iTrader: (5)

After Meguiars Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner...still same result. :angryfire

Denzil

iTrader: (1)

Hmm, sounds kind of bad. See if Supa can help you out with the UDM. If it's bad enough, you might have to take the rotary to it or even wet sand it down, compound it, and polish it.

nf3d0149ab

iTrader: (5)

Yeah...I got to figure out how to mount this thing by myself and then I will ask Suparookie to help me attack it with the UDM.

If it doesn't come out with some polish on the UDM....should I take it do a body shop for an opinion instead of taking matters in to my own hand and wetsanding?

Wes_R

I'm telling you try to clay it off, something strong like like Red Clay Magic. You will have to polish though after that.

exceldetail

Well, it was a best guess, and you had to start somewhere. Looks like a polish is in order, and hopefully its not etched in the paint! The beauty of your trial and error is now you know what paint cleaners can and cant do, Its all a learning process...........

nf3d0149ab

iTrader: (5)

Should I try that TR-3 Resin Glaze next?

That is a cleaner & polish after all.

SweetJazz

This looks sort of like clearcoat failure. Have you tried the PC/UDM and compound step? Wet sanding? I'm curious to see if these spots are shallow or deep.

SupaRookie

What you need to do is get that mofo to my place and I'll set the udm on 6!

It looks like there's air bubble. Try wet sanding it man; pretty inexpensive. Find/borrow/buy/steal a sandpaper and wet it. Afterward wet sand in a small area and see if it works.

nf3d0149ab

iTrader: (5)

SweetJazz...haven't wet sanded yet and awaiting SupaRookie's UDM skills for that.

The spots don't feel to the touch...no feeling that I can gather.

What grit should I use for the wetsanding?

How much pressure should I apply?

For some reason I feel it is delicate.

exceldetail

Let SR hit it before you entertain the thought of wetsanding! Theres no turning back when you have wetsanded!

nf3d0149ab

iTrader: (5)

OK..thanks that is the info. I needed.

nf3d0149ab

iTrader: (5)

Well I got an email back from the person I got the hood from.

He said that his friend (who owned the car before him) didn't know or remember how the markings got there but thinks it maybe resulted from bird shit. GREAT!

I could believe that since we don't live that far from the ocean.

Let's say that it's bird shit...and it sat there for some period of time.

Are there any remedies for that?

Or...use the same methodology?

exceldetail

If it was BS it would have cleaned up with the Megs Cleaner. Revealing etching. BS is notorious for high acid levels (Needed to break down the crap they eat). Usually what happens (And this occurs inevitably after a wash or detail) is the bird poops top dead center, be it roof, hood or rear deck, and if you dont see it and neutralize it immediately, like within 20 minutes tops, it begins to etch. However, its very rare that the stain (colored) remains.
Polishing with a light grade polish is your next step. As said earlier, wetsanding is your last resort.

nf3d0149ab

iTrader: (5)

Cool.

Thanks again.

SweetJazz

See how the polishing comes out first.

Wes_R

I was thinking maybe it's tree sap?

nf3d0149ab

iTrader: (5)

I guess it's a possibility given how random the damage is.

I don't know what tree sap damage looks like.

Really hoping that the UDM fixes the problem.

When I connect with SupaRookie I'll be taking some more pictures.

nf3d0149ab

iTrader: (5)

OK...UDM Failed.

Could of been that we didn't have the right pad.

We used SupaRookie's polishing pad...not sure which one and I think of 6.

Nada.

What is suggested is either going by a body shop or getting a cutting pad.

I think it is a yellow pad.

Can someone please help out with advice on what I should do next?

Denzil

iTrader: (1)

Was it a 4" pad on the UDM? What compound/polish did you use?

nf3d0149ab

iTrader: (5)

Umm...actually we used whatever SupaRookie had.

I didn't catch the name of the product or the size of the pad.

From what I remember it took up the entire velcro surface which I believe was larger than 4 inches.

Hopefully SupaRookie will catch the thread update and enlighten us.

exceldetail

..........yes, further details needed!

SupaRookie

6.5" orange pad w/ OC. I tried on speed 4 and then 6 for a minute. It didnt have any affect.

exceldetail

Wow.....is there etching? I mean if it was "on" the paint, that combo would have easily removed it. Was there any difference or did you stop at that certain point (we all know about) when you say "enough is enough"?
Wetsanding is next, but theres no telling how much clear your going to have to remove to clear it out. Not good news.........

SupaRookie

To tell you the truth, I dont know what etching is. There was absolutely no difference. At an angle, it looks like the stuff is on the top. I try to scratch it with my fingernails, but nothing...Noah wish that we could teleport you here with your gear, lol.

nf3d0149ab

iTrader: (5)

That's funny! I did say that last night.

Bad news...hopefully not the definitive answer but I took it to one shop that was highly ranked by customer opinion on yelp.com

They guy looked at it...called a friend to verify.

He said they think it is UV degradation.

He said it is a common issue with carbon fiber hoods.

The explanation was something to the effect that the clear coat doesn't work with the carbon fiber weave the same as a solid paint color.

I guess the sense is that metal painted surface refracts the sun rays back and clear coat really offers no protection in the clear coat itself.

It's logical...I'm still skeptical and hoping to get a few more opinions.

Also...he said that wetsanding it wouldn't resolve the problem based on that hypothesis.

I'm at a loss for words.

Got to take it to another couple of shops.

exceldetail

Etching is the remaining "crater". Its what happens when chemical/acids come in contact with nearly all surfaces which are not able to resist it. Protectants and Nubas "help" in buying time. But there is little i know of that actually resists these bird excrement's or acid rains.
Im pretty stumped guys.

exceldetail

Actually this brings back memories of when I surfed. (Fiberglass and resins) Anytime there was like a traumatic shock to the surface, (like if a rock came into contact, beer bottle, cigarette lighter, bed of a truck) it would leave these types of scars. Almost like the resin was delaminated. I wonder if theres a chance that the clear is separated from the fiber?

nf3d0149ab

iTrader: (5)

Your guess is as good as mine...

I'm going to run it by a couple of shops tomorrow.

The part I have believing about the separation is that when you look at it from an angle the gloss is gone from those blotchy areas..

To my logic...the clear coat separating from the carbon fiber wouldn't that still have a glossy surface if it was under the paint?

SupaRookie

From the looks of thing, it does look separate.

SupaRookie

yea, it's not etching.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

That discoloration looks like the fiber weave itself underneath the clear is stained or damaged, doesn't look like clear coat or etching

fokkerfitch83

Return the hood, tell the dude you bought it from that it was falsley advertised (about the fix), and save up for a new one. If he gives you crap telem to fix it for you then, if all it really needs is a "a really good buffing" By the time you figure out what to do w/ this thing, you'll have spent more than the damn thing is worth.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

The dude stroked you, I'd ask for money back

nf3d0149ab

iTrader: (5)

Well...I would but really it was sold "as-is"

He sold it to me for pretty cheap so if I lose out on it then I lose out.

That's kind of the way I am looking at it.

I am going to stop by two shops today to get their final opinions.

After that...I will try the cutting pad.

Then...I'm done.

If I can't get over the appearance (won't be easy) this gives me a chance to look at a carbon fiber hood and see if I really like it.

Trial run to getting a brand new hood later down the road.

I might not want to deal with it...drilling hood latches and all.

I spoke with my local tuner shop who was trying to help me adjust the hood because I couldn't get the latch to lock properly.

He said it is common for this to happen on carbon fiber hoods when UV protection isn't used in the clear coat.

exceldetail

No U.V. in the CC? See, theres a first!
We are all learning with this thread foh sho!
I think any topical repairs are out of the question.....I hate to admit it, but I think your doomed. Im gonna stick with its separated/delaminated.
Time out.......injection?
What is you were to drill a very small hole in the spot, and fill with a fiberglass resin via injection? That would certainly fill the void. Much like I use to do with bulls eye window repairs......The bulls eye remained but the liquid filled the distortion.

nf3d0149ab

iTrader: (5)

That's the first time I heard that idea!

I'll bring it up to the shop I visit.

I'm not familiar with how to use fiberglass resin but I'm sure they will be.

nf3d0149ab

iTrader: (5)

Well...I hopefully have great news.

I took it to another shop and they make done work with carbon fiber hoods before and said they had seen it.

Ref. by another Azine member! Thanks Kevin!

I could tell by the number of nicely modded import cars that they had done work before in the past and were familiar with the nature of care.

They said it is air bubbles trapped under the clear and that it is fixable.

They won't wetsand it for me and apply new UV coated clear for around $250.

It would look brand new minus the couple of little damage areas on the front end.

I could care less and so excited to hear that news!

They also had a cool technique that he showed me on another couple of carbon fiber hoods in their shop.

One was had a matte finish that was going on a matte black G35.

Another one that they actually colored or tinted the carbon fiber to match the body color.

Very cool stuff and so when I get money saved up for that...I will give a photo update.

Thanks everybody for the suggestions and help out.

nf3d0149ab

iTrader: (5)

On a side note...I wanted to share something interesting that they also mentioned about these carbon fiber hoods.

They saw the buffer marks from the UDM and they said to never use a buffer on this type of material.

It makes it eventually turn brown...never heard of it but thought it might be good information to share with all.

Denzil

iTrader: (1)

Firstly, $250 to repair your CF hood? You might as well purchase a brand new one for $100 more.

Secondly, never use a buffer on a CF hood? I don't believe that, especially without any due explanation of how the CF hood turns brown.

SupaRookie

hmm...interesting. Probably make sense since the top isnt paint.