How do fix my carbon fiber hood?

Raksj04 · 06-30-2012, 12:53 PM

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

LuckySeven fc3s · 07-01-2012, 02:47 PM

throw it in a fire

Weltall · 07-01-2012, 03:24 PM

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

GySgtFrank · 07-01-2012, 03:47 PM

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.

Mazdabater · 07-01-2012, 04:43 PM

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

Raksj04 · 07-01-2012, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuckySeven fc3s

throw it in a fire

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weltall

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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mazdabater

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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by GySgtFrank

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.

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.

Mazdabater · 07-01-2012, 07:22 PM

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

Raksj04 · 07-01-2012, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mazdabater

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?

Mazdabater · 07-01-2012, 07:34 PM

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

project86 · 07-04-2012, 05:34 PM

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.

neit_jnf · 07-05-2012, 01:48 PM

mine looks the same, PR sun did it

I plan on having it painted body color.

DriFD3S · 07-06-2012, 03:49 AM

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.

Raksj04 · 07-06-2012, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriFD3S

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.

project86 · 07-06-2012, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raksj04

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.

Raksj04 · 07-21-2012, 05:38 PM

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.

06-30-2012, 12:53 PM	#1
Raksj04 I have Ultra power in me. Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 457 Rep Power: 14	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

07-01-2012, 03:47 PM	#4
GySgtFrank Professional Stick Poker Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Stafford, Ks. Posts: 1,012 Rep Power: 16	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. __________________ 1988 N/A SE 2+2, dead stock and staying that way. 1979 SA22C stock? Not so much. http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...ad.php?t=15585

07-04-2012, 05:34 PM	#10
project86 Can't.Make.Up.My.Mind. Join Date: May 2009 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 1,377 Rep Power: 18	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. __________________ '90 GTUs Stay up to date with my photography '06 Toyota Highlander Hybrid '10 Toyota Prius "Initial Success or Total Failure" Last edited by project86; 07-04-2012 at 05:36 PM.*

07-01-2012, 02:47 PM	#2
LuckySeven fc3s fc3s_nataku on rx7club Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: OrangePark FL Posts: 35 Rep Power: 0	throw it in a fire

07-01-2012, 03:24 PM	#3
Weltall The Newbie Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 20 Rep Power: 0	I didn't even know CF would do that! Crap luck friend.

07-01-2012, 04:43 PM	#5
Mazdabater FC3S Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Townsville, QLD, AUS Posts: 326 Rep Power: 16	Easy fix, block it back with some 400 and clear coat it. Shit resin doesn't like the sun

07-01-2012, 07:22 PM	#7
Mazdabater FC3S Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Townsville, QLD, AUS Posts: 326 Rep Power: 16	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

07-01-2012, 07:34 PM	#9
Mazdabater FC3S Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Townsville, QLD, AUS Posts: 326 Rep Power: 16	Just a flat block with paper wrapped round it so your sanding with a flat surface

07-05-2012, 01:48 PM	#11
neit_jnf Boricua! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 99 Rep Power: 18	mine looks the same, PR sun did it I plan on having it painted body color.

07-06-2012, 03:49 AM	#12
DriFD3S Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada Posts: 174 Rep Power: 0	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.

07-21-2012, 05:38 PM	#15
Raksj04 I have Ultra power in me. Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 457 Rep Power: 14	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.