How To Restore a Faded Carbon Fiber Hood!

[@sabiduriazapoteca2000]

Great Job man. I watched 29 videos before I got to yours, you have a skill, I really hope someone important can discover your talent. I followed every single instruction and advice you recommended (hand sand,small sponge, sand paper higher then lower numbers) my carbon Fiver hood looks better than brand new. Thanks 🙏

[@edifygarage]

@@sabiduriazapoteca2000 means a lot it truly does thank you so much!

[@mahreeohhhh]

Badass eclipse in the garage.

[@edifygarage]

@@mahreeohhhh Appreciate it!

[@UTradingTCG]

Clutch dude, I've been coming back to this video for my supplies and going to do it soon.

[@edifygarage]

Awesome! Make sure you do a nice layer of clear coat so you have less to buff/cut and so it’s well protected!

[@MasonGrue]

Heck yeah man this turned out super good. Good job. Im about to fix some carbon fiber on my Evo X so this is helpful.

[@edifygarage]

Awesome thank you for your nice comment! I learned a lot since that was my first time ever doing any of that, if I did it again I think it would look nearly professional! Your Evo will totally shine ✨

[@edifygarage]

Let me know if you are thinking about doing this! 🔥

[@shedevil3923]

Question about the clear coat, you said let it flash for 10 mins depending on if the suns out now what if the suns out do you do less time between ?

[@edifygarage]

@@shedevil3923 sorry I’m just getting back to you, if the suns out it’ll dry quicker. In my case the sun was out so I let it dry for 10 minutes, if it wasn’t I would let it dry for 15 minutes maybe a couple minutes more but you want the clear coat you just sprayed to be tacky so it accepts the next layer you put on.

[@ootw2004]

Good work 🤜🤛

[@edifygarage]

Thank you! I learned a lot and it was my first time using any of those tools!

[@michaelploeger9184]

Cleaver idea using the plastic sheet to protect the rest of the car while prepping

[@edifygarage]

@@michaelploeger9184 thanks, it needs a respray in the near future so I wasn’t too worried about covering every part but more for the viewers to get some ideas!

[@shedevil3923]

Okay a couple questions 1.) when you sanded in the beginning were you wet sanding (like just dipping the 800/400 in water) ? 2.) what is things I can do to ruin it that I do not want to do 😬 3.) you said let the clear coat flash for 10 mins depending if the suns out if the suns out do I let it flash less time since the suns out ? 4.) after the buff do I wash it off or just wipe it off before I polish ? 5.) after the polish do I wash it all off or leave it or wipe off? Sorry so many questions 😬

[@shedevil3923]

Another question when you use the 105 u used the buffer do you use the polisher with the buffer as well or a rag ?

[@edifygarage]

1. I was constantly having the surface wet and you'll know when to add water since the sand paper will clog up and the water will clear the sanding pad. You can dip the paper in a bucket of water and or just keep the surface wet with a hose or something. I was also outside (not ideal) so the water evaporated quickly. 2. You just don't want to sand into the carbon fiber weave or into the epoxy, ideally take off just the top clear coat layer (you'll get a feel for it and understanding when you start sanding just be cautious. 3. Ideally never do paint work in direct sunlight but this is real life so if the suns out let it flash or have a drying period of about 7-10 minutes, if you have masking tape or protection on the side of your project touch that and feel if its tacky to know if its dried enough never touch the clear coat on your hood. You want it to dry but not completely just a good amount so it isn't totally wet but it still can grab the next coat when you spray it. 4. I'm not a buff/polish expert as I've done it only a handful of times but I wiped it off I didn't use water and clean it. 5. Same thing I didn't use water and clean it, I wiped it. But I would look that up because maybe you should be washing it off. I don't mind the questions thank you for all of them!

[@edifygarage]

I used both of them with the buffer, not sure if that is the correct way to do it but mine came with different pads and a guide on which one does which. I would use the cutting compound with a microfiber pad and then polish with a foam pad. You can use both on the buffer machine if not you can do microfiber by hand. If you have more questions no problem, hope I answered them well, I would reference a couple of KZbin videos and compile all the info you get to have the best peace of mind! Hope it turns out great!

[@rocket4215]

I only have a few patches that need fixing, would it be smarter to do the whole hood or just the spots

[@edifygarage]

That was what I had thought too at one point, I’d say the integrity of the clear coat is probably on its way out if you have spots that have faded and would be best to do the whole hood but you could definitely sand a spot and try it before you commit all the way. I even thought maybe sanding those spots and using a clear coat wipe. But probably best to do it the correct way 👍

[@rocket4215]

@@edifygarage thank you. Glad I came across your video

[@rocket4215]

@@edifygaragehow my cans did u end up using?

[@edifygarage]

@@rocket4215 I can’t remember exactly I think it was 2, I would advise to do nice thick coats and from what I remember some people used 3 or 4 cans and that would provide more room to buff and cut the clear coat and more protection in general but I didn’t feel the need for my project

[@No1steve]

I sanded to bare carbon am I cooked or can I save it with precoat.

[@edifygarage]

@@No1steve if you truly sanded to bare carbon the that would mean you’re really close to hitting the weave or you already did. What’s ontop of carbon is epoxy resin and then it’s clear coat. You might be able to get away with just clear coat I’m not sure how far you truly sanded down, I would reference a video of putting epoxy onto carbon fiber to see if you need to take that step, best of luck

[@No1steve]

@ thanks man I was worried, I hit the weave a little but I think I can save it with out putting resin 👍.

[@00K_EG6]

i can tell the song is from Forza Motorsport 4 LMAO

[@edifygarage]

It is bro! You’re a goat