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How to fix cloudy carbon fiber?

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Old Jul 21, 2012 | 03:04 PM
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Default How to fix cloudy carbon fiber?
Got a good deal on these engine covers for my Silverado. Only problem is that 2 of them are very cloudy. Would this be as easy as sanding down to the carbon fiber part without tearing it up and putting a new clear coat back down? Here is the 2 bad ones first:



This one is the only one that looks decent to me

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Old Jul 21, 2012 | 03:07 PM
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Wetsand/buff/wax

or sand and reclear
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Old Jul 21, 2012 | 03:09 PM
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dont sand down to the carbon. you will have a mess at that point. sand a little bit with 600 until the cloudiness goes away then re-clear. i would put a professional automotive clear on it from a gun so it will look good for a really long time
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Old Jul 21, 2012 | 03:12 PM
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Yea I didn't mean sand down into the fibrous part. Just enough to clean up and clear it again. I planned on using automotive clear coat but does it need any additives for the engine bay or because it is carbon fiber? Or just regular old clear coat?
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Old Jul 21, 2012 | 03:27 PM
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regular clear coat is fine sir
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Old Jul 21, 2012 | 04:35 PM
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What grit? About 800 to take it down pretty fast?
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Old Jul 22, 2012 | 12:35 AM
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no, go with 600. dont even have to go up to 800 to re-clear (well you may just in case)
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Old Jul 23, 2012 | 02:24 PM
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I've wet sanded a little bit with 800the and doesnt seem to be working. Still looks just as cloudy. Guess i'll try to hit it longer with 600 and see if it helps.
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Old Jul 23, 2012 | 07:05 PM
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if you have to go down to 400 thats fine, just be carefull. then jump to 600 then 800
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Old Jul 23, 2012 | 11:28 PM
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try polishing first.....

Don't use the cruise missile when a .45 might do the job. Least aggressive method FIRST. ALWAYS.
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Old Jul 24, 2012 | 12:38 AM
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Originally Posted by GoFast908Z
try polishing first.....

Don't use the cruise missile when a .45 might do the job. Least aggressive method FIRST. ALWAYS.
YES!

I have some pics for reference I've done. This was on a Ferrari Enzo




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Old Jul 24, 2012 | 01:13 AM
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^ Jealous..... do want.
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Old Jul 24, 2012 | 06:48 PM
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Your screwed...you will never get the cloudiness out. It's in the resin itself, no way to sand or polish it out. The reason it's clouded up like that is because it's an amateur CF layup.
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Old Jul 24, 2012 | 07:08 PM
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Originally Posted by LS1-IROC
Your screwed...you will never get the cloudiness out. It's in the resin itself, no way to sand or polish it out. The reason it's clouded up like that is because it's an amateur CF layup.
highly doubt it is yellowed that deep.
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Old Jul 25, 2012 | 05:45 AM
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Originally Posted by 67goatman455
highly doubt it is yellowed that deep.
It's not yellowed...it's cloudy. It comes from tiny air pockets in the resin that have moisture in them that cloud up when exposed to heat...but what do I know...LOL
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Old Jul 26, 2012 | 10:06 AM
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Originally Posted by GoFast908Z
try polishing first.....

Don't use the cruise missile when a .45 might do the job. Least aggressive method FIRST. ALWAYS.
Exactly, your trying to level the clear and taking too much off can create issues later.
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Old Jul 26, 2012 | 06:25 PM
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I think LS1-IROC is right. Doesn't look like this is gonna polish out. Went at it today and didn't seem like I was making any progress towards getting it clear. May just paint them and airbrush something fancy on it.
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