Renovating your carbon bits

[LVC]

Can't take any credit for this (nor blame) but I found this posted on the French Monster's site:

Info for renovating your carbon bits:

Before...

http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/539/photo004tj9.th.jpg

Interior...

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/2278/photo005uf4.th.jpg

Clean thoroughly (degreaser, washing up liquid, etc.)

Sand and rub down with 600 grain paper/block and water

To arrive in this state...

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/203/photo006ps6.th.jpg

Add a "high temperature resistance varnish"...

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/2458/photo016su3.th.jpg

Leave it to dry inside (venitlated room as it smells) for one hour...

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/315/photo015wz7.th.jpg

Then pop it in oven to cure at 160° (he doesn't say how long for???)

The end result...

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/9201/photo021yx8.th.jpg

It seems to work and certainly restores the dull carbon bits back to shiney ones - a helluva lot cheaper than re-buying them :woot:

[Stuart42]

Hi LVC

thanks for that.

I bought a mudguard which wasn't as I'd hoped so thought I'd have to sell it to someone who wanted to paint it but will now give this ago.

Will a mudguard fit in my oven? If not I'll stick it in the microwave, guess it'll be done quicker?;)

Cheers
Stuart

[Space Cadet]

I’ve recently done the same with my front mudguard, heal guards and sprocket cover.

Whatever you do don’t sand too much, i.e. to remove any scratches, just sand very lightly to provide a key or else you will uncover unseen bubbles in the gel-coat (or whatever the finish is).

These were impossible to fill even with 3 or 4 coats of clear primer and 3 or 4 coats of two-pack lacquer.

My heal-guards and sprocket cover have come out OK, but have ended up buying a new front mudguard.

In short, take your time and only do bits that you are prepared to take the risk on ruining. I learnt the hard way.

Would recommend using a primer before the laquer, and the two-pack stuff dries like glass afterwards.