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11-12-2007, 04:47 PM
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#1 (permalink) |
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Turns corners & heads EZ
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,651
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How do I polish dull CF?
My carbon fiber front clam is dulling with age. How do I polish it? Thanks!
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Daily driven '05 Elise, Seibon CF front clam with custom paint, Stage II exhaust, hardtop, Starshield, Pioneer ICE, dry CF door sills & panels, dry CF binnacle, color matched center console and surround, Sachs suspension, Moroso oil pan, EBC greenstuff brakes, Team Dynamic wheels w/ R888's I don't believe in shooting stars but I do believe in loot & cars. PhlypSide quote - Tell people you prefer your cars to be like your women: "lightweight, fast, low maintenance, and easy on the eyes." |
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11-12-2007, 05:05 PM
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#2 (permalink) |
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WSMC #852
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 225
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Hopefully it's just the surface and not all of the resin. If it's just the surface, it can be buffed like any paint/clearcoat. Might even want o try Maguire's Plastix compound on a small corner to see if that works.
Oh yeah, DAYUM... you have a CF front clam?!?!?! You HAVE to make it to the big meet! Even if you're late! 
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http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/4707/sighondaha8uh.jpg "... I like your clutch and brake levers." -Colin Edwards "Friends are like autumn leaves, many and come and go with the seasons. True friends are like diamonds, hard to come by but last forever." -Bruce Lee "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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11-12-2007, 05:11 PM
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#4 (permalink) | |
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WSMC #852
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 225
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Quote:
__________________
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/4707/sighondaha8uh.jpg "... I like your clutch and brake levers." -Colin Edwards "Friends are like autumn leaves, many and come and go with the seasons. True friends are like diamonds, hard to come by but last forever." -Bruce Lee "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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11-12-2007, 06:11 PM
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#7 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Sarasota,Fl
Posts: 11
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You may try a product called Floetrol made by the Flood company. It is an oil paint additive. Also brings fiberglass back to life when rubbed on with a rag. A few coats let them set and buff. It puts oils back into it. Maybe on a small area for a test.....
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11-13-2007, 03:36 AM
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#10 (permalink) | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 207
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Quote:
Epoxy can be painted with a UV blocking clear coat, but it can still tend to yellow over time. Poly and vinyl ester resins are better in this regard - especially with a UV blocking clear gelcoat.
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Everything I post is my opinion, and tends to be notoriously WRONG. Anything that is correct, can only be attributed to my being dropped on my head as a small child - repeatedly. Most of what I know is a result of breaking something first. |
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11-14-2007, 05:54 PM
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#12 (permalink) |
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Turns corners & heads EZ
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,651
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Thanks for the suggestions guys! I weigh these options and see what is easiest. I'm lazy.
I thought about color-matching painting it but then the CF sort of grew on me just because it looks different so now I am think of keeping it nonpainted. I am not sure though. It's super dull and nothing good-looking for pictures.  I am still thinking about joining the big meet. Thanks Canyonball! (Not only would I have to get up early but I'd also have to detail my Elise *sigh*)
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Daily driven '05 Elise, Seibon CF front clam with custom paint, Stage II exhaust, hardtop, Starshield, Pioneer ICE, dry CF door sills & panels, dry CF binnacle, color matched center console and surround, Sachs suspension, Moroso oil pan, EBC greenstuff brakes, Team Dynamic wheels w/ R888's I don't believe in shooting stars but I do believe in loot & cars. PhlypSide quote - Tell people you prefer your cars to be like your women: "lightweight, fast, low maintenance, and easy on the eyes." |
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11-14-2007, 07:00 PM
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#13 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Sarasota,Fl
Posts: 11
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So sorry to hear I do not live up to your expectations Mr. Hahn. Although I see you are an aeronautical engineer....very nice. I have delt with many engineers over my years in business. No matter what type of engineer they were all had one thing in common.
They all were arrogant and thought they knew everything about anything. I had just joined this board after reading it many times and it was very informative. I am second guessing my joining now as I came here because I own a Lotus and enjoy it. I do not enjoy being belittled by someone that does not know me nor has a reason to do so. Not knowing you Mr Hahn I will have to guess that from your response to my post that you are one of the aforementioned engineers? I am sure you were not expecting a response from the dumb paint contractor so again I am sure I have disappointed you! For this and me being what I am makes me truly sorry because your input means the world to me. I will probably not sleep tonight over this crushing revolation. |
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11-14-2007, 08:42 PM
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#14 (permalink) | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Downtown LB, California
Posts: 497
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Quote:
Long version:.... Hey, I'm lazy also. I did this last night by accident, not sure if it was harmful on the long run or counter productive, however, the visual results were great... I used WD-40 to remove the scuff-marks around the Elise, it removed right away and make the surface shiny. I then cleaned right afterward with quick cleaner spray wax. Both times using a new clean micro fiber towel. I then experimented and sprayed some WD-40 on my CF rear spoiler, CF side vents and CF sideskirts and CF front spoiler and wipe them down with micro fiber towel to a shine - cleaned up with quick spray wax with another clean towel - they are all much shinier - especially the CF sidesvent that have become a littler dull. The same way I removed the sticky glue residue after taking off the "Lotus"/"Elise" lettering on the back - a spray of WD-40 and wiped down, it removed the residue easily and shine the car also - cleaned/buffed it off with cleaner spray wax! Many people might disagree with my method - I'm ok with that - I don't sweat it. Again, I'm lazy. Had the Elise since 03/07 - had never washed it: dust, spray wax, wipe down and cover - besides my condo building/underground parking has no water hose access!! Hope it helps - (BTW - I met you at the last OC pizza and beer meet and think you have an entire CF front clam on your Elise - nice) - try the WD-40 method, you can always wash it off right away! ....good luck! |
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