How do fix my carbon fiber hood?
 

My Carbon fiber hood looks like crap. It has sun damage like crazy, short to replacing it how can I make it better. The hood is a cheap eBay hood which I plan on replacing for a hood better suited for a V-mount setup. However I am tired of looking at when it is this way.

this is what it looks like

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...6-30132745.jpg


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...6-30132803.jpg

throw it in a fire

I didn't even know CF would do that! Crap luck friend.

Check with a body shop to see if it can still be sealed and reshot body color. Price shouldn't be too bad if you take the hood to them. I guess whether it's worth it or not depends upon how soon you plan on replacing the hood.

Easy fix, block it back with some 400 and clear coat it. Shit resin doesn't like the sun

I think that would make my issue worse. I think?

I learned the hard way. this was never clear coated.

I will give it a try and post the results. I wonder if I should use a plam sander?

I bet it would be over $200 I paid $300 for it shipped. That was about 3 years ago. I am looking for a quick low cost. soltuion.

Up to you but I wouldn't sand too deep as I suspect that it's a fiberglass bonnet with a layer of carbon on top, I'd just block the shit off and clear coat it

like using a sanding block?

Just a flat block with paper wrapped round it so your sanding with a flat surface

If you want the best results possible i wouldn't use a block. Id use a dual action sander instead. that way it will make smaller, less visible scratches. Unfortunately there isn't a lot there to sand off so the advice posted about using a fine sand paper is good. Id start with 500 grit personally.

Shooting clear on it may not work out as well though since it looks like almost all of the gel coat is gone. Chances are you'll end up sanding parts of the actual carbon fiber. Priming and painting body color is a good option too.

As far as i know (and this could be partially false) most carbon fiber hoods I've ever seen don't actually come with clear coat on them. Some will come with a better quality uv protective coating than others but to my knowledge they don't actually come cleared from the factory.

*Edit... also if you choose to go with the dual action sander route use a sponge pad on it. That will help keep you from sanding too much off. :)

mine looks the same, PR sun did it :( I plan on having it painted body color.

Carbon fiber vinyl wrap it?..
LOL, it'd still be Carbon Fiber looking ish, I saw a white skyline do it,
it looked really cool, it was partially white CFV and partially black CF.
It was totally great looking.

Don't throw it in a fire though.

I really should put it out of its misery with fire, it has bubbles in some places, I may just paint it black. If I ever get another CF hood I am going to make sure I clear coat it.

IF you do paint it make sure you give it a good sanding and prime it first.

Here is a little update. It is after light sanding and one coat of clear coat. I know it needs more work, but it looks better then what I started with. I haven't had the, time oe weather or really work on it more.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...7-21181609.jpg


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...7-21181556.jpg