Carbon Fibre Gel Coat Repair / Respray

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Hello PH,

I've got a carbon fibre wing mirror where the gel coat has degraded. I think it originally started from a scuff that has weathered over time.

Am I right in saying this can be re-gel coated / top-coated etc? Don't really want to be buying a new mirror!

I've seen firms like https://carbonwurks.com/carbon-fibre-repair/ but keen to get some (preferably local) recommendations. Open to national ones if they are well regarded. I'm near Leicester / Coventry area.

Some pics of the problem are here - am I right in saying it is suitable for repair?









Thankyou

[simon_harris]

deffo repairable, I'd use a syringe and inject some clear epoxy resin to fill it back up again and then sand back to flat. as extra protection a coat of laquer would really help.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Hm that sounds like it could be a plan, home kit doable?

I've seen wordworking videos using exterior grade epoxy - same stuff or car specific do you think?

100% prefer an expert to do it, but if push comes to shove ....

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Bump for the evening crew....

Cheers for sticking it in the dead part of the forum too Mods

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Looking to make a start on this shortly - any recommendations for suitable epoxy or tips to avoid?

[rev-erend]

Does the area feel low, like from a scrape.

If not then I would just use lacquer over the whole area.

Several thin coats.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

I don't know for a fact it was originally epoxy over the top - it is very much an assumption by me. It could just be clearcoat over the top?

It feels almost like those areas with it missing, it has flaked off after stonechips or similar. Seems too hard to just be laquer?

eg here is a zoom of the worse bit.

[Origin Unknown]

How did you get on with this OP?

I have a similar issue with the clear coat on my CF spoiler, although mine looks worse than yours.

From what I've read, you need a UV resistant Epoxy if you do try to patch it in. If you we're to refinish it, it looks like this was a decent approach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tKEiM0rEGg

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Origin Unknown said:

How did you get on with this OP?

I have a similar issue with the clear coat on my CF spoiler, although mine looks worse than yours.

From what I've read, you need a UV resistant Epoxy if you do try to patch it in. If you we're to refinish it, it looks like this was a decent approach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tKEiM0rEGg

I did buy some epoxy ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000BQWY8Y/ref... ) after watching a youtube video but haven't got round to it yet.

I have paused because I wasn't sure if epoxy was the right option and it was thick laquer instead, planning on having a chat with a body shop round the corner this week.

[Tin Hat]

I got a body shop to tackle a very similar issue on the hardtop of my Elise, it looks like it was never there now........

[Origin Unknown]

This is the damage on mine, will likely use a body shop as the more research I do, the more it looks like it needs a pro

[Haltamer]

I would probably veer away from epoxy and go for a high-build clearcoat.

I had a similar marr on one of my carbon mirror caps and treated it as I would a "clearcoat injury" - Clearcoat touchup, Wet & Dry and DA Polishing stages after, though that wasn't all the way down to carbon across such a wide area.

Should be fairly quick to do - Could mask up one of the ends and do a quick trial of clearcoat to see how well it builds and if you get the desired effect.

[Youforreal.]

Proxl 2k cans will sort all those jobs above out! Just rub down with wet and dry and as long as there are no holes it will come up like new, 4 or 5 coats will be plenty.

I have cracked and repaired this more times than I can remember

Edited by Youforreal. on Saturday 26th October 20:19

[Origin Unknown]

Thanks! Presumably, I need to rub down the entire spoiler and do the whole thing or is it possible to areas without stripping the whole thing back?

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Time to have a check to see how easy it is to get the mirror shroud off the mirror so I can spray it!

[Youforreal.]

Origin Unknown said:

Thanks! Presumably, I need to rub down the entire spoiler and do the whole thing or is it possible to areas without stripping the whole thing back?

Yes just rub the whole thing down and be brave, don’t worry about what it looks like with the rub marks as long as you go down to about 2500 eventually and don’t rub too hard at the bare weave either.

If you want to see how it will look after you clear coat it just run flowing water over it (hose) and it will show you how your rubbing down is going and the areas you need to focus on.

Edited by Youforreal. on Monday 28th October 16:11

[Youforreal.]

GiantEnemyCrab said:

Time to have a check to see how easy it is to get the mirror shroud off the mirror so I can spray it!

You don’t need any epoxy on that, just a rub down and the 2k clear coat will be enough and follow what I posted above, don’t be tempted to go too heavy on the lacquer either as if it runs it will be a pain to fix, just build it up with coats.

[Origin Unknown]

Youforreal. said:

Origin Unknown said:

Thanks! Presumably, I need to rub down the entire spoiler and do the whole thing or is it possible to areas without stripping the whole thing back?

Yes just rub the whole thing down and be brave, don’t worry about what it looks like with the rub marks as long as you go down to about 2500 eventually and don’t rub too hard at the bare weave either.

If you want to see how it will look after you clear coat it just run flowing water over it (hose) and it will show you how your rubbing down is going and the areas you need to focus on.

Edited by Youforreal. on Monday 28th October 16:11

Super, thanks. Will update when I get a moment to undertake the job. Sorry for the thread hijack op.

[Youforreal.]

Origin Unknown said:

Youforreal. said:

Origin Unknown said:

Thanks! Presumably, I need to rub down the entire spoiler and do the whole thing or is it possible to areas without stripping the whole thing back?

Yes just rub the whole thing down and be brave, don’t worry about what it looks like with the rub marks as long as you go down to about 2500 eventually and don’t rub too hard at the bare weave either.

If you want to see how it will look after you clear coat it just run flowing water over it (hose) and it will show you how your rubbing down is going and the areas you need to focus on.

Edited by Youforreal. on Monday 28th October 16:11

Super, thanks. Will update when I get a moment to undertake the job. Sorry for the thread hijack op.

No problem and don’t be panicking about the 2 k when you mix it in the can. It will easy last 6 hours plus as long as kept cool, I’ve actually stuck it in the fridge and sprayed without issue the next day but best stick to using it in one day,

[darreni]

What about safety gear? The 2k is meant to be nasty isn't it?