Author Topic: Refinishing my faded carbon fiber  (Read 2719 times)

Offline Travlr

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Refinishing my faded carbon fiber
« on: November 12, 2015, 03:43:47 PM »
I've been refinishing the faded carbon on my Scura.  I thought some members might be interested.  It's not too hard.

1. Clean the old carbon and let dry.

2. remove the old finish with a mild abrasive.  I used Meguiars X2.0 Fine Scratch and Blemish Remover.

3. Clean the panels again and let dry.

4. Respray with a UV Protectant Clear Finish in the gloss of your choice.

Here's a before and after pic.

Mike

1984 LeMans 3 Cafe Racer
1977 BMW R100S

oldbike54

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Re: Refinishing my faded carbon fiber
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2015, 03:57:50 PM »
 Nice work Mike  :bow:

  Dusty

Offline Guzzistajohn

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Re: Refinishing my faded carbon fiber
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2015, 03:59:42 PM »
Nice! I bought a CF scura/sport  fairing  recently from a member that was scratched all to hell. I worked it over with wet or dry sandpaper and shot it with several coats of rattle can clearcoat and it really turned out pretty decent. Now I just need to fab up some brackets Hmmmmmmmmmm.


js
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Offline Triple Jim

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Re: Refinishing my faded carbon fiber
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2015, 04:16:15 PM »
You might consider Spraymax 2K for the clear coat.  It's a pro quality automotive 2-part Acrylic clear in a single spray can for about $20.  I clear coated my Mille's tank with it.  It was a pleasure to use, and looks amazing.
When the Brussels sprout fails to venture from its lair, it is time to roll a beaver up a grassy slope.

Offline Petrus Rocks

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Re: Refinishing my faded carbon fiber
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2015, 04:19:00 PM »
Excellent info! Thanks for posting it.

Online Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Refinishing my faded carbon fiber
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2015, 04:46:00 PM »
Thanks!
Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
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Offline Scud

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Re: Refinishing my faded carbon fiber
« Reply #6 on: November 12, 2015, 06:52:25 PM »
You meet the nicest cleverest people on a Honda Scura  :thumb:

Do you know if there's a way to get the carbon fiber on the LaFranconi exhaust back to black? The exhaust sleeves don't appear to have a clear coat.
1989 Moto Guzzi LeMans
2002 Moto Guzzi V11 Sport Scura
2017 Husqvarna 701 Enduro
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2020 Yamaha TW200

Offline boatdetective

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Re: Refinishing my faded carbon fiber
« Reply #7 on: November 12, 2015, 09:53:10 PM »
I know the OP mentioned a UV clearcoat- but I'd just like to emphasize that bit. All carbon parts are laminated using epoxy resin and all epoxy resins are vulnerable to prolonged UV exposure.  You have to be double triple sur that you have a thick, purpose designed UV resistant finish over the laminate to make sure it doesn't turn opaque. One advantage is that epoxy resin makes a great primer, so the sanded part should be easy to finish. 
Jonathan K
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Offline Triple Jim

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Re: Refinishing my faded carbon fiber
« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2015, 11:29:33 AM »
You don't have to sand between coats of Spraymax 2k.  You can, of course.  I put three coats on my tank, following the directions, which said to wait between coats until touching an out of the way spot stopped making a thread form, and was tacky instead.  It took between 5 and 10 minutes for that.  The result was free of orange peel and very glossy.  An hour or two later is was ready to put back on the bike.
When the Brussels sprout fails to venture from its lair, it is time to roll a beaver up a grassy slope.


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