Protecting Carbon Fiber Body Panels

[BuckTheStallion]

So I've been pouring over this forum and many others looking for a solution, so don't tell me to just use the search feature, as I haven't been able to find a definitive answer.

I have picked up some Carbon Fiber factory style fenders from Seibon and before I test fit or prep them I need find a solution to UB protection. I live in Arizona and unfortunately the car gets parked outside most of the time. Anyway, I know I need to clear coat them for the best protection, and was planning on using spraymax 2k clear coat, BUT with Covid-19 going on it's impossible to find a a1p2 or N95 respirator anywhere. Local paint supply doesn't have them, nor do any of the websites I'm checking, unless I want the $200+ models, which is rather not.

Next possible solution is using a safer 1k clear coat, which I know will be less ideal but should be fine enough, as I'd rather have it look good for the next 10 years as opposed to perfect for 6 months and then yellow and gross. Still would need a mask, but could be slightly less picky.

Final option which is like to avoid, is the local paint shop. There's only one in town with good ratings, and the owner is a real jerk, plus the quote was $600 to clear them. The justification he gave was that he has to call the manufacturer to make sure his clear coat is compatible. I was expecting closer to 300, not 600 for a simple, almost no prep, parts already off, job, and again, I don't like the way he does business very much to begin with, having dealt with him a couple times before. He always acta like he's doing you a favor and you're a huge inconvenience no matter what it is.

So help me out here guys, gals, and non-binary pals. Help me find a good solution please.

[Sapphireho]

Drive out of town to a different shop?

[BuckTheStallion]

That's an idea for sure, but it'll be a pretty long drive. Kingman and Vegas aren't too far though. I should call around and see if I can find a more reasonable price and nicer shop. Thanks!

[Drifter X]

Will a Ceramic Coat work?


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[soundman98]

Originally Posted by Drifter X

Will a Ceramic Coat work?


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somewhat. but not as well as a clearcoat. many CF parts don't have great UV stability, so an additional clearcoat is needed to keep the CF resins from yellowing and looking terrible.

a ceramic coating would work best on top of a clear coat.

[BuckTheStallion]

Yeah, a ceramic is a surface level product, but won't work for complete protection. I plan to call a few more paint shops in a broader area tomorrow once they're open, both paint shops and paint supply if I can find them. I'm almost tempted to just grab a 1k clear coat and do the old "hold my breath" method since no one has any protective equipment anywhere. But I'd hate doing that.

[Wally86]

What about sanding them down and getting them re-epoxied with a UV resistant epoxy? I thought most CF parts had their last few layers of resin done in UV resistant resin specifically for this purpose.

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by Wally86

What about sanding them down and getting them re-epoxied with a UV resistant epoxy? I thought most CF parts had their last few layers of resin done in UV resistant resin specifically for this purpose.

Resistant. Not UV proof. Clear composite matrices will always yellow under UV exposure, just a matter of time. Only way to fix it is to sand it down and re-clear coat, or paint it all together.

[Wally86]

Originally Posted by Yoshoobaroo

Resistant. Not UV proof. Clear composite matrices will always yellow under UV exposure, just a matter of time. Only way to fix it is to sand it down and re-clear coat, or paint it all together.

Interesting. Even if you use something like marine varnish?

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by Wally86

Interesting. Even if you use something like marine varnish?

Yep, if it’s see-through, UV can get through to the matrix (the epoxy that holds the graphite fibers together). Some epoxies are more UV resistant than others, but they all yellow over time. It’s just something to deal with if you want the CF look.

[Irace86.2.0]

You want carbon fiber panels to show? Get them properly painted or do a wrap. IMO, partial carbon fiber bodywork looks like one of those cars with junkyard panels of different colors. Lips, spoilers and accent pieces are good, but not large body panels.

[Irace86.2.0]

Even on black it looks stupid

[churchx]

But i like those red ring accents on wheels though. And recall seeing one CF hood that i liked looks of - it was body matching painted, but leaving only vents looking CF.

[BuckTheStallion]

My car is Asphalt gray, but just the same, I didn't really ask for opinions on the appearance. I really like carbon, and would like to keep my investment looking good for as long as possible. I expect to get at least 5 or 6 years before they're too bad and need to be paint matched. Hence my question about providing the best protection I can. I was driving all day today picking up new wheels, so I'll call around tomorrow and see if I can find a shop I like better, a decent price, or a paint mask in stock SOMEWHERE. Haha. Thanks guys.