OCD Carbon Refurb...

[Slickhillsy]

So - I was thinking that during the closed season (winter) of lavishing the car with some OCD TLC. Had a closer look at some of my carbon over the weekend (mirrors / very bottom of the door trim) and had spotted some minor scratches in the finish (never good for car OCD karma)...

Does anyone know if this might be repairable / can scratches be polished out of carbon?

[red_duke]

Carbon usually has a urethane clear coat layer so I'd give it a go with "Meguires Scratch X 2" and a foam applicator. "Guaranteed" to take scratches out and not put them in. I did my whole F430 with the stuff and now have arms like Popeye.

Edited by red_duke on Monday 15th December 15:31

[Slickhillsy]

LOL - thanks for the tip, do you mean this?

http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g10...

[red_duke]

Slickhillsy said:

LOL - thanks for the tip, do you mean this?

http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g10...

Yep, that's the fella.

Get a couple of these
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/cleaning-products...
to apply it with as they have some "bite" and will speed the polishing process up. And some quality micro fibre cloths to buff with. All available from Halfrauds.

Rub in straight lines perpendicular to the direction of the scratches if possible.

Edited by red_duke on Monday 15th December 15:34

[Slickhillsy]

Ordered! Many thanks sir...

[IBDAET]

red_duke said:

Carbon usually has a urethane clear coat layer

Should read:

Cheap carbon made on poor quality tooling usually has a urethane clear coat layer to make a sows ear into a silk purse.

Decent carbon does not need lacquering and selected grades of carbon pre-preg offer a glossy finish that lasts for years and is extremely impact resistant.

[Slickhillsy]

IBDAET said:

red_duke said:

Carbon usually has a urethane clear coat layer

and is extremely impact resistant.

This is very different to scratch resistance. I have carbon all over my race bikes and Desmosedici (granted you can really tell the difference between autoclave and prepreg) and while they have higher impact properties they are just as susceptible to surface scratching.