adk683

can someone explain how to refinish clear coat on carbon fiber hood plz i want to do it myself to save money

totalimmortal

Every carbon hood I've seen is not clear coat like is on our cars, but gel coat. How bad is it?? Pealing?? Or just oxidized??

Provocateur

Moved to Showroom.

ADRONICUS

I have to say that is a negative chief. I recently dealt with this problem and screwed up my hood even more because I thought it was gel coated and it is not. Most name brand carbon fiber hoods are clear coated. IE: VIS, Carbon Creations etc. I cannot speak for Joe Scmo hoods, but knock offs are cheap and most likely have clear coat as well, since gel coat is a more expensive treatment. Anyways, boats are gel coated due to the fiberglass structure and it is a common misconception that CF hoods or fiberglass hoods are the same as that kind of construction that is on a boat.

Anyways, the clear coat should be treated just like any other clear coated body part. I would go to the detailing forum and get specific instructions from the "ask a professional detailer thread" hope this helps.

totalimmortal

My Versus Double Sided was gel coath:

Hardly an off brand.

ADRONICUS

Was or is? Do you still have the hood? How do you know it is/was gel coated? If you still have it, hit it w/some gel coat compound polish f/u w/a sealant polish and see what happens.

totalimmortal

This was from my 240SX, long gone. I distinctly remember it being gel coat.

ADRONICUS

Well, I aint gonna argue w/you. Mine is clear coated. Maybe gel coat is also used. Maybe used at one time but no more...I don't know. I just know that my hood was looking bad, and so I assumed it was gel coated, purchased a gel coat restoration kit and it ended up looking even worse. I followed the instructions and am no newbie to detailing. So that is my story.

adk683

pealing just got alot worse cause of ice and snow

totalimmortal

I even told the guy that bought it from me specifically that it was gel coat and to treat it accordingly. I didn't know most we're regular clear coat now, I learn something new everyday