Started detailing...

**Inochi** · 05-21-2010, 03:37 AM

I decided that I couldn`t wait til morning to start doing a test spot on my hood.

Before:

So far I only washed it at a do-it-your-self car wash, and then clayed the test spot. I used the G110v2 with the Meguair`s Soft Buff 2.0 Cutting pad and the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner.

Fiirst pass:

Second Pass:

Right now there are some small pits in the surface, or so I think, scattered throughout the area. I`m unable to capture them in a picture. I`m thinking that I probably should not worry about it for now since it will most likely take some of the clear coat off just to get rid of it. Also, my main goal is to just clean up the hood to look good again.

Also so far there are still some swirls in it yet, so hopefully another pass or two will clear it up without having to go to something more aggressive. Or I`ll just hit it with a polish and wax and see how it looks.

Any thoughts or advice?
Thank you.

**Stephan** · 05-21-2010, 04:47 AM

I have never polished carbon fiber so I am not sure if it acts any differently, but what you have so far looks good. A major improvement over how it started.

**Beemerboy** · 05-21-2010, 09:19 AM

What are you using for chemical and applicator?

**Gus-Gus** · 05-21-2010, 09:26 AM

So far I only washed it at a do-it-your-self car wash, and then clayed the test spot. I used the G110v2 with the Meguair`s Soft Buff 2.0 Cutting pad and the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner.

how much stuff came out when you clayed?

**Inochi** · 05-21-2010, 12:13 PM

As far as seeing anything in the clay, there wasn`t much at all that seemed to stand out.

**JaredPointer** · 05-21-2010, 12:58 PM

Whatever you`ve done, it`s a great improvement over what you started with.

I don;t know much about carbon fiber - i.e. if you have the real deal going on there or not, but it looks like it`s gelcoated more so than clearcoated (paint). It looks exactly like my boat after I got it out of storage (in places). Looks to me like oxidation.

In any case - major improvement.

**Beemerboy** · 05-21-2010, 01:03 PM

a good paint cleaner or PB PP would be my suggestion on that hood, I`ve done a few carbon parts on cars, and that`s what I`ve used

What I see on yours is oxidation, the chemical based polishes will remove that

**Stephan** · 05-21-2010, 03:30 PM

How old is the carbon fiber? Just curious based on that level of oxidation.

**Inochi** · 05-21-2010, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by Stephan

How old is the carbon fiber? Just curious based on that level of oxidation.

It`s three years old. I have not been able to maintain the best I would have like over the past two years. Between that and sitting out in the Arizona sun has not been good to my car over all. But time to get it in shape and keep on top of it.

**Inochi** · 05-22-2010, 12:19 PM

Here the final results.

Before:

After:

I still have some blemishes throughout the hood but for now, I have the carbon fiber showing again

Also I did use the Meguiar`s Diamond Cut 2.0 and the followed up with a paint cleaner, polish and was.

**Reddwarf** · 05-22-2010, 06:37 PM

Huge difference! I have never done anything with carbon fiber. interesting. Look way better!

**Calogero** · 05-22-2010, 06:59 PM

Nice job.

Pretty good turnaround here the DC system.

I`ve done one show car that had a carbon fiber hood. Didn`t enjoy it to much.

Its very hard to work with.

If I remember correctly I used M80 with great success though. I think two or three passes on the hood alone.