Wax on carbon fiber question. Post your opinions!
 

This is probably a question about waxing in general. We all know that the #1 concern with cf is clear coat fade. Seibon even states on their website to keep the parts out of direct sunlight whenever possible (probably why cf pieces in states like Texas look like sh!t so quickly). I am getting numerous panels in cf and they have yet to be waxed, does anyone know of a particular wax or detailing kit that would better protect the clearcoat?

Wow.. great question... Anyone??

I believe CF is made with epoxy resin which can be wet sanded, compounded and polished to bring it back to it's original condition. You may protect it with any sealant or wax. Perhaps the best would be a polymer selant, as this is what the resin is made of.

I forgot to mention that CF doesn't have a clear coat. It's epoxy (polymer) which is a plastic. I wet sanded and polished my CF Z emblems and made them look like new, after working on them.

so I shouldn't use a traditional wax but rather something along the lines of Meguire's polymer sealant

Most CF cosmetic parts are clearcoated with a traditional automotive clear, so treat it like any paint surface. Unfortunately, depending on the quality of the Epoxy used, this clear coat skin will not protect it from eventually discoloring as I doubt that provides much UV protection......

Dry carbon parts or wet laid? I assume wet in which case, ^^ what he said. To the OP, who is doing all your parts? Is it Mastergrade?

Clear or no clear, wax & sealants are fine.

it's wet carbon...dry carbon might cost as much as the car. It wasn't mastergrade

I'm thinking of going with Meguiars NXT 2.0 anyone try it on another vehicle?

exactly what i was about to suggest. i used it on all of the cf parts on my spec v(hood trunk sideskirts front lip) and it kept it from fading just the gelcoat turned yellowish. then when i stopped waxing it for a couple months it started to fade.

good info guys. thx!!

LOL correct and GOOD its not Mastergrade. Care to share who then? Just curious.

How often do you wax carbon fiber?

i did it every other wash just because i had a black car.

As soon as they release I'd be more than happy to discuss it. Some background details, the entire job consists of fenders, skirts, bumpers and hood. It's wet carbon, I always thought carbon fiber was grey but it's black cf in a 2x2 weave. My kit is a prototype but by my inspection they did great. The pieces were free since I was nice enough to volunteer and not drive the Z for MONTHS! Can't lie I'm chomping at the bit!

I'm assuming the gelcoat can always be sanded down and reapplied at a good body shop. Now hard is it to properly apply the meguiars stuff. I'm on the verge of shopping for a good orbital buffer any recommendations?

Darren at Bay Speed in Brooklyn?? why not ask him what to do

I wash my car every 6 months. How often do you wash your car?

My stillen hood on my 2003 is covered in a white haze in different parts of the hood. It looks terrible and no wax or zanio products takes it out. It looks like it is in the clear coat. The only way i get it to look good from a distance is to spray it with WD 40 and wipe it down . it looks good for 2 days (the wet look) then it goes back to normal.
Has anybody got a cure for this problem?

thanks

It needs to be polished.

Or clear-coated..

white haze is the fading. you need to sand down and get rid of as much of the gel coat as possible then use a high quality clear.

i used to wash my car weekly :p
just make sure you wipe down the cf stuff often and wax once a month

There is no Gel coat used in CF lay-up (only used in the mold).. You're dealing with Epoxy or Epoxy with a clear-coat on top... Epoxy discoloration (yellowing) cannot be fixed. Surface defects and dulling can, either by polishing as mentioned, or with a clear coat (paint) application..

^^^ what modshack said. Treat it like any other paint on the car. Use high grade polymer if your car is a dd and keep spraying products like Prima Hydro after each wash.

So.....

In regards to CF care, I read on one of the Audi boards that putting a clear bra on would protect the CF from fading/discoloring. As I am concerned about my CF front lip and paint chips, would that be a better option? Clear bra it and simply wax over the clear bra monthly??? Two birds, one stone?

Doubt it..unless you can block the heat and UV I'm pretty sure it will eventually yellow. Chevy bought outrageously expensive epoxy additives to keep the ZR1 roof from suffering this fate. I doubt run of the mill CF parts are going to be made with this care due to the expense...

k thx.

thats why you need high quality pieces like Mines, Amuse.. they fit better and last longer than the cheap brands in the us

but will eventually still be subject to fading / yellowing if left out to suffer in the elements. just because it's jdm doesn't mean it'll be immune to the effects of time and nature.

clear coat it :tup: then u can wax it like regular paint... before i installed all my carbon fiber pieces.. i shot clear on them :happydance: no worries about getting yellow or fading :tup: well at least for a while.. nothing lasts forever... but i think adding clear is the best way to prolong carbon

you can buff and polish if it start fading

keep it out of direct sunlight for extended periods of time and wax it with whatever you prefer.

Anyone notice parts of cf looks faded in direct sunlight but on a cloudy day cf looks shiny? Anyways I use optimum spray wax on my cf.

VERY true.