big.turbo.daddy

I live in slc and i want to know where its a good paint shop to take my carbon fiber hood. I called maaco and they said its not fixable and i heard it is that all they need to do is sand the hood and spray clear coat on top? So any suggestions

nickeynick

Call local shops that do custom work - like show cars. When it comes to working on carbon fiber/fiberglass hoods it will need to be someone familiar with working on those types of materials.

What is wrong with the hood? Water spots? Fading? Yellowing?

big.turbo.daddy

Not that bad just a lil fading and the clear coat peeling like crazy

Dallasb84

There is a thread on how to fix this

big.turbo.daddy

I know there is but i dont wanna do it my self i want it painted good not to be left rough and nasty

Dallasb84

Well.... Here is how hoods are generally made.... A layer of gel coat or some in mold coating is sprayed on the mold the the carbon is applied and infused or laid up traditionally. The other way is an epoxy is applied. Epoxy generally self levels. Minimal blocking is necessary. In my last picture it is crystal clear. The surface is near perfect. If you took that to a body shop they wouldn't hessiate to spray it. Honestly you have to take it down to the carbon and replace the gel coat. For what you would pay in labor you may as well buy a new hood.... The yellow is the resin reacting to uv light as you probably already know.

Best advice is to either repair it yourself, or sell it and put the money towards a new one.

The other option is to block it flat and have it painted.

Maybe I would be willing to buy it from you. I make a decent hustle fixing them and selling them.

In my picture just so you know... It is not rough... That is the weave of the carbon. The epoxy is smooth as glass and crystal clear. I later sprayed a matte laquer and painted over it.

Dallasb84

You may be able to find a place that refinished boat hulls. They should have the ability to spray on a new gel coat. I have no idea what that would cost.

nickeynick

If it just needs the clear coat touched up then you can go to any reputable body shop and have them sand it and re-spray a good UV clear coat on it. Also, to prevent the hood from fading or peeling again install a heat barrier. I use "ThermoTec Self Adhesive Heat Barrier" for carbon fiber hoods. The heat from the engine bay will speed up the process of discoloration and other problems.