refurbing carbon - Saxperience

Jack_Norris · 26th July 2014, 15:25

Hi guys I've got a carbon widemouth that needs a refurb as its seen better days.

Understand it needs re-lacquering but I'm unsure on the prep work process as I don't want to ruin it.

Is there a special way to treat it or is it a case of a light sanding down and then painting the lacquer on?

It doesn't have any deep scratches but it is quite faded

iSlayeR · 26th July 2014, 20:40

2k sand paper until flat/no edges etc, then lacquer

MartinObviously · 26th July 2014, 23:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by iSlayeR

2k sand paper until flat/no edges etc, then lacquer

This tbh,

Unless it's through the lacquer so far that it's exposing the carbon. In which case, I'd guess you need to build up lacquer then do the sanding process.

Jack_Norris · 26th July 2014, 23:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by iSlayeR

2k sand paper until flat/no edges etc, then lacquer

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinObviously

This tbh,

Unless it's through the lacquer so far that it's exposing the carbon. In which case, I'd guess you need to build up lacquer then do the sanding process.

okay thanks i'll give it a go

MuZiZZle · 28th July 2014, 09:53

Don't bother, just sell me it cheap

Jack_Norris · 28th July 2014, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuZiZZle

Don't bother, just sell me it cheap

No can do been wanting one of these for ages. Would buy one brand new but their a bit pricey.

charlie2 · 28th July 2014, 18:35

It looks like prepreg carbon so it would never of had a gloss finish

blackie_2k5 · 30th July 2014, 16:13

get it soda blasted then lacquer it

Ross^p · 30th July 2014, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie2

It looks like prepreg carbon so it would never of had a gloss finish

er.... What exactly has the laminate structure prior to curing got to do with the final finish?

charlie2 · 30th July 2014, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

er.... What exactly has the laminate structure prior to curing got to do with the final finish?

Very simple,prepreg carbon fibre doesn't have a gel coat like you would see on wet layup carbon or fibreglass.the gel coat gives the exterior product finish,eg if you see a fibreglass bodykit that is the gel coat.understand now?.

Ross^p · 30th July 2014, 19:07

So you're saying pre-preg, when cured in an autoclave, isn't glossy?

Pre-preg by definition is "pre-impregnated" with resin, which when when cured creates a glossy coat. It can't not.

Can you explain what you mean by "pre-preg would never have a gloss finish"?

For reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajJ-HyM1aaM

Pre-preg carbon with no additional resin added. Autoclaved and removed. Glossy product.

FYI - I've been making vacuum bagged/resin infused carbon parts myself for more than 5 years. I don't autoclave nor use pre-preg, but I have an understanding of the process.

charlie2 · 30th July 2014, 19:19

So what your saying is that resin has a high gloss finish like gel coat?.maybe your idea of gloss and mine is different?.
FYI I have been in the composite industry for 20 years making parts for British superbikes and a little car company called ginetta,oh and the bike that holds the outright TT lap record runs my bodywork.

Ross^p · 30th July 2014, 19:23

I'm not saying anything. You said "pre-preg isn't glossy". I still disagree. For sure - we clearly have a different view of what's glossy.

I hope to fuck you don't work for argon creative...

charlie2 · 30th July 2014, 19:27

No,don't work for them.

what parts do you make?.

Ross^p · 30th July 2014, 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie2

No,don't work for them.

what parts do you make?.

I've only made some simple odds and sods for a peugeot 106 - covers, replacement mirror caps, that sort of thing. Hobby level stuff. And being honest I've not touched anything in 18 months!

I mention Argon because I gave them a LOT of money quite some time ago, and I'm still waiting for the parts. Not happy about it either as you maybe can tell lol.

I'd like to get more into it - there's some parts for my audi I'll probably attempt in carbon/kevlar once I've got back into it. I need some heat shields doing for example. And a new air duct. Meh - if I could be arsed, there's a fair few bits lol.

charlie2 · 30th July 2014, 19:43

Ahh,being arsed,the biggest problem I have!lol.we use a lot of carbon/kevlar but wet layup,bloody awful stuff to rub down!.

Gabbastard · 30th July 2014, 21:18

If either of you fancy making a carbon bonnet for my AX, give me a shout :-p

MartinObviously · 30th July 2014, 23:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie2

So what your saying is that resin has a high gloss finish like gel coat?.maybe your idea of gloss and mine is different?.
FYI I have been in the composite industry for 20 years making parts for British superbikes and a little car company called ginetta,oh and the bike that holds the outright TT lap record runs my bodywork.

Gloss is shiny,

not gloss isn't shiny.

Jack_Norris · 31st July 2014, 14:48

Thanks guys for the suggestions already done it before I read them.

I just sanded it with wet and dry and sprayed lacquer on it looks pretty good but not to a professional level obviously. It has some damage so I wasn't going to go all out but at least I know what to do with something else thats carbon.

rubbish picture on a iphone but you get the idea.

Now my next question is I want to fit it but not sure what to use. I've seen multiple times to use tiger seal is that the stuff to go for as I don't want to damage it.

Gabbastard · 31st July 2014, 17:17

Tiger seal is fine, loads of different body bonding agents are just as good.