How to protect/maintain CF

[Speed3ForMe]

So my buddy has a CF hood that has undergone tons of damage (visual, not actual physical damage). So I've looked around and found that frequent cleaning and waxing (and keeping it away from direct sunlight) should be used to help prevent the fading and chipping and such.

Seeing as how my stock hood will eventually be striped down to its primer from all the rock chips, I'll be in the market for a CF hood and was wondering if you could clear bra it? I mean, that would be so awesome, no rock chips, no flaking, no fading.

Would that be possible?

 

[UHATEIT]

you can definately clear bra cover it. I actually saw a guy on the 350z forums back when I had a 350Z who had the entire hood clear bra'd, i think there was a reflective film or something in the bra itself that reflected the uv rays or something, that way it wouldnt fade.

cf hood do tend to look terrible when not properly waxed and get exposed to a summer or 2 in the hot sun

 

[coyfish]

Really not worth it imo. Maybe its just because im in florida but all the CF hoods I see are fading / yellowish.

 

[Speed3ForMe]

CF is not worth it or trying the clear bra?

 

[NCZ13]

its less about the sun, and more about proper washing and drying techniques. If your using the right tools and techniques, you can greatly reduce the amount of marring you induce on the hood.

the sun does play a role, but like i said, its mostly how the car is washed and taken care of. Use quality wash media (sheepskin meets, soft grout sponges), two bucket method, quality car wash, and proper drying tools (quality waffle weave towels). When waxing use a clean fresh applicator, and use a quality microfiber (not the ones from costco or autozone)

 

[coyfish]

Yeah I dont know much about CF. Ive seen evo's / 350z's with CF hoods and they are all fading. Still doesn't look bad but for the price it doesn't seem worth it. Maybe they are just not taking care of it.

 

[builthatch]

the main problem with the CF dress up stuff available to us is cheap resin and cheap clear coat with no UV protection. from what i've read, ideally CF should use a HQ resin, and a quality gel coat, but that doesn't include the UV protection necessary and requires a ton of labor, so i assume you'd get it finally clear coated with something rich in UV protection.

unfortunately, all of that is a moot point because the hoods are simply made as cheaply as possible. so, if i had a new CF hood from any one of the typical suppliers, i would probably get it clear coated professionally and after the prescribed cure time frame use opti-seal or a similar high quality sealant to assure it's protected.

 

[ForceFed]

the main problem with the CF dress up stuff available to us is cheap resin and cheap clear coat with no UV protection.

so, if i had a new CF hood from any one of the typical suppliers, i would probably get it clear coated professionally and after the prescribed cure time frame use opti-seal or a similar high quality sealant to assure it's protected.

Clear BRa would do nothing....
THis guy hit it on the head.
I clear all CF I get immediately.....Not only do I assure its protected....You would not beleive how much better even Brand new CF looks after a good Clear Coat.

/Thread.

 

[bluelion]

+1 get it clear coated at a body shop....

 

[Speed3ForMe]

Awesome, good to know.

 

[ThrillRide]

Personally I hate clear bra because they detract from the appearance, and they are harder to take care of than the paint, in terms of detailing. However they do save your paint from nasty bumps and bruises.

The sun is your worst enemy. Fading and chipping as you describe is from the crappy gel-coat degrading. If the clear bra does in fact have a UV protectant in it, that may help. But if you properly maintain the hood with washing and waxing it will be great for a long time. But gel-coat sucks, so if you get a hood, trunk etc., that is gel be sure to sand it down and have it cleared.

 

[ThrillRide]

come over to the detailing section (see sig) for more info.