Cloudy Clearcoat on Carbon Fiber

**jpegs13** · 07-27-2011, 03:37 AM

HELP! I have what appear to be cloudy spots on my carbon fiber wing. I can't take pictures of it, they don't really show the problem.
It's not micro-marring or anything else from polishing. It hasn't been polished since it came from the shop. ( They weren't there when I got it back).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

**HeavyMetal** · 07-27-2011, 06:40 AM

Wish I could help, brother, but no idea. What did you have the shop do? Is there someone in your area you can show it to?

**CrownKote** · 07-27-2011, 06:44 AM

I had a customer with a cf hood that had "hazing/clouding" on it we tried everything and finally when finished it still had it... Contacted the manufacturer and they think it is the final coat of epoxy going bad... Check with the company the wing came from before trying anything... This is on the Lambo correct?

**FUNX650** · 07-27-2011, 07:57 AM

Sorry to hear this.

Besides a possible clear-coat failure at this area, it might possibly be a start of delamination of the underlying CF. I'm just hypothesizing, though. As suggested, a talk with the body shop, or manufacturer, might yield better results/answers, especially if there is a warranty.

Just a few thoughts.

Bob

Mike Phillips · 07-27-2011, 08:00 AM

The problem is either topical, that's on the surface, or throughout the layer of ?

Is it straight epoxy? Or Clearcoated? or Polyester Resin?

Buzzing a light polish over it with a DA or Rotary will tell you real fast if it's topical as it should abrade it enough to either fix the problem or show the problem to be throughout the matrix of whatever the top coat or component is made out of.

**MCA** · 07-27-2011, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Mike.Phillips@Autogeek

The problem is either topical, that's on the surface, or throughout the layer of ?

Is it straight epoxy? Or Clearcoated? or Polyester Resin?

Buzzing a light polish over it with a DA or Rotary will tell you real fast if it's topical as it should abrade it enough to either fix the problem or show the problem to be throughout the matrix of whatever the top coat or component is made out of.

This sounds like an oxidation issue (similar to single-stage paints) that is fairly common with carbon fiber panels. Alternatively, you can try a non-abrasive approach and use a chemical cleaner such as Klasse AIO to perform a test spot fix. Hopefully, this fix will be permanent - if the haze comes back after a few days then the panel may need to be repainted or worse, the CF has started to delaminate...

**trerc** · 07-27-2011, 12:18 PM

If the clear coat hadn't gassed out before it was waxed or sealed then it will cloud on you, most shops recommend waiting at least 4weeks before using any type of wax ir sealer on fresh clear coat for this reason...

**jpegs13** · 07-27-2011, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by CrownKote

I had a customer with a cf hood that had "hazing/clouding" on it we tried everything and finally when finished it still had it... Contacted the manufacturer and they think it is the final coat of epoxy going bad... Check with the company the wing came from before trying anything... This is on the Lambo correct?

Yes it's on the Lambo. It doesn't appear to be in the fiber layer, it looks like it's above that.

Originally Posted by Mike.Phillips@Autogeek

The problem is either topical, that's on the surface, or throughout the layer of ?

Is it straight epoxy? Or Clearcoated? or Polyester Resin?

Buzzing a light polish over it with a DA or Rotary will tell you real fast if it's topical as it should abrade it enough to either fix the problem or show the problem to be throughout the matrix of whatever the top coat or component is made out of.

It's a clearcoated product. I tried Menz. SIP with an orange pad and no improvement.
It appears to be above the fiber layer, in the clear coat. Can it be polished or does it need refinishing?

Thanks for the input guys

**aerogt01** · 07-27-2011, 03:25 PM

If polish does not improve it then it could be one of two things:
- Clearcoat/epoxy bond failure
- Resin going cloudy from lack of UV inhibitor in CC/Resin

Either way it seems there is not a quick fix, although I could be wrong.

**jpegs13** · 07-27-2011, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by aerogt01

If polish does not improve it then it could be one of two things:
- Clearcoat/epoxy bond failure
- Resin going cloudy from lack of UV inhibitor in CC/Resin

Either way it seems there is not a quick fix, although I could be wrong.

I think you might be right. Back to the shop it goes.