SP carbon fenders

Ben Hinker · #1 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006, 05:23 PM

Anyone know how to restore my pitted, faded carbon fenders? After any water gets on`em they fade to a crappy grey color.

stefreem · #2 (**permalink**) 05-23-2006, 03:06 AM

Had the same problem on my '94 sp. As soon as a body shop finds out that you want work on carbon fiber done they start seeing $$$$. However, it was really simple to restore them. I used a 1000 grit to prep lightly prep the finish, wiped them clean, then sprayed on five light coats of clear coat (from a can) over two days. There are still some pits if you look very closely, but they look 100% better. I hear that carbon fiber doesn't hold paint well so plan on doing it every few years.

fraz · #3 (**permalink**) 05-24-2006, 07:36 AM

Go prep 'em again and ask the local body shop to throw a urethane clear on it. You will trip out how good it looks and it will look better and last longer than the rattle can stuff. I've done this on a couple of model car bodies and the depth and shine is killer. The local guy did it for free since I asked nice and had one small piece... just like a little fender

stefreem · #4 (**permalink**) 05-24-2006, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fraz

Go prep 'em again and ask the local body shop to throw a urethane clear on it. You will trip out how good it looks and it will look better and last longer than the rattle can stuff. I've done this on a couple of model car bodies and the depth and shine is killer. The local guy did it for free since I asked nice and had one small piece... just like a little fender

That's a good idea. The shops that I spoke with really seemed to fuss about the surface prep. If you prep them yourself and just ask them to spray a few coats on them you could probably get a good deal.

Ben Hinker · #5 (**permalink**) 05-25-2006, 11:59 PM

Excellent, I was about to try the sanding. If I prep these myself should I sand after each clear coat? My local shop was talking about fillers and sanding and......They did really stress the prep. It wouldn`t bother me that much but after getting caught in rain they look so bad.

stefreem · #6 (**permalink**) 06-01-2006, 04:45 PM

First, I have to say that I'm not a professional painter. I just lightly sanded until the surface was uniform in color (dull), wiped all of the dust off with a damp cloth, let them dry, and then sprayed some light coats on them. I didn't have many pits in them, so I didn't use a filler. Not sure what you would use there anyway. Maybe epoxy applied with a toothpick? After all of the coats were dry I put a coat of cleaner wax on them and that brought out a nice shine. This process worked well for me and cost about $10 and two days. Hope that helps!

Ben Hinker · #7 (**permalink**) 06-01-2006, 10:13 PM

Thanks all, now if I can just get my girlfriends newly crashed CR back togther maybe I can get back to my bike.

**mrgrn** · #8 (**permalink**) 06-02-2006, 01:40 AM

you could always prep sand it with 600 or 400 and add some epoxy right over the old first and use a urethane after than and you will be damn near good forever.

mary2al · #9 (**permalink**) 06-02-2006, 07:10 AM

Mr Grn, How would you "add" epoxy?

Bettina · #10 (**permalink**) 06-05-2006, 04:38 PM

I guess my boyfriend, Ben Hinker, didn't think I'd be online looking for parts for my bike...he's not even allowed to TOUCH my bike...are you Ben?!

rob748 · #11 (**permalink**) 06-05-2006, 05:01 PM

send it to me MR hinker and l will clear coat it for you (free)
Betina your on your own

stefreem · #12 (**permalink**) 06-06-2006, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bettina

I guess my boyfriend, Ben Hinker, didn't think I'd be online looking for parts for my bike...he's not even allowed to TOUCH my bike...are you Ben?!

Busted!!!

Ben Hinker · #13 (**permalink**) 06-07-2006, 06:14 PM

Try to do the right thing and...................

Ben Hinker · #14 (**permalink**) 06-07-2006, 06:17 PM

rob748, why didn`t you offer this before my public humiliation? you limey bastard!