Need Help - How to clean carbon fiber hood

**dammazda** · 7-2-09, 13:34

I have had a carbon fiber hood for about 4-5 years now on my 6 and it has spots on it that look faded, I have tried using my finger nail to see if it will flake off but it doesn't and normal cleaning doesn't help. The spots are in random places on the hood and I am not sure if there is a way for me to clean it and then get the hood recleared.

I searched the forums a while back and had found a write up but I can't seem to find it now. If anyone one has done this before please let me know the process you went through, or if you know where the thread is that talks about this let me know.

Any help by tomorrow morning would be great because the weather is supposed to break and I would like to work on this since I have the day off.

Mx-6 v6 · 7-2-09, 14:17

buff it? if it's in the clear coat just get a good compund and try buffing it out just an idea

**Chefsp0t** · 7-3-09, 23:15

I've seen people use megiuar's plastx on them with decent results. I think cf_z did it to his.

**dammazda** · 7-4-09, 7:12

So I tried PlastX and a turtle wax rubbing combound and neither took off the areas I am concerned about. I will post some pictures of my problem later so maybe someone can think of another strategy.

Thanks for the help so far though!

**sethbobbob** · 7-4-09, 12:51

it is damaged from the sun....you will have to sand it but very carefully and reclear it the damage should be in the clear and maybe the top layer of the resin itself....you scuff it all up with a light grade sand paper and clear it at an autobody shop...

**Stealth** · 7-6-09, 16:58

Get a cutting and buffing from a bodyshop. Or if you know how to use a buffer do it yourself but be sure NOT to burn through the clear.

**dammazda** · 7-7-09, 10:19

What grade sand paper should I use. I will test it in a small area. Any one know how much a reclear job would cost from a shop?

The car is for sale so I don't want to spend to much but if it makes the hood looke cleaner then it may sell faster.

**Stealth** · 7-7-09, 10:35

I would use 2000 grit wetsanding if your going to sand at all. Personally I think all you need is a cutting and a buffing.

**dammazda** · 7-7-09, 10:53

What exactly is cutting?

**Stealth** · 7-7-09, 12:04

Cutting compound is something you put on a buffer pad that has a very light grit in it. I would say it is similar to 2000 grit sandpaper. Its just a ton easier to use than sandpaper with elbow grease

So you do either a cutting compund, or 2000 grit sandpaper. Either way, you will have to buff it back to a clear after you are finished. If you dont have a buffer, Im sure a bodyshop would cut and buff your hood for like 20-30 bucks.

Cutting compound - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**dammazda** · 7-7-09, 12:36

Thanks for the help. Since I don't have a buffer it sounds like I will be having a shop do this.