Carbon Splitters Refurb

[karbonkid]

May be useful for some as an option to consider when the time comes (if you have the patients). Save those pennies! 22,000 each to be exact!
Thought it was time to give the front end a make over as I had a few hours to spare. Giving the front bumper a paint correction inc touch up & lacquer to stone s/chips. The CF splitters were deeply scared and needed some TLC without buying new ones at stealers prices.
I prepped them before epoxy top coating. Sanded using 120 grit down to the 1200, then wet sanding in the same way using all sand grades.

Few pics showing the way...

Before:
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/2162/snv33640.jpg (http://img221.imageshack.us/i/snv33640.jpg/)

http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/1499/snv33625.jpg (http://img61.imageshack.us/i/snv33625.jpg/)

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/410/snv33646.jpg (http://img171.imageshack.us/i/snv33646.jpg/)

Using 120 dry/wet grade, rubbing down the OEM top coats down to the CF weave
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/5566/snv33644.jpg (http://img522.imageshack.us/i/snv33644.jpg/)

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/1799/snv33647.jpg (http://img385.imageshack.us/i/snv33647.jpg/)

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/9131/snv33643.jpg (http://img235.imageshack.us/i/snv33643.jpg/)

using 240/400/800 & finally 1200 grades
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/2875/snv33645.jpg (http://img246.imageshack.us/i/snv33645.jpg/)

Both sanded & prepped. Top one wiped with acetone to get rid of contamination
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5778/snv33659.jpg (http://img134.imageshack.us/i/snv33659.jpg/)

First top coat applied waiting to cure then ready to wet sand & apply more layers
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/5541/snv33664.jpg (http://img181.imageshack.us/i/snv33664.jpg/)

To be continued...

[bryce]

Nice one kk, looking good so far. Im tempted to have a shot of that too! What do you use to apply the laquer?

[Mark CSL]

A small tip the lacquer in a tin does not have hardener in it so wont last long
you need a spay gun and some lacquer with hardener :thumbs:

[NZ_M3]

A small tip the lacquer in a tin does not have hardener in it so wont last long
you need a spay gun and some lacquer with hardener :thumbs:

CORRECT!!

Doing it the way you are doing the lacquer you've put on will PEEL straight off the monent it is put onto the bumper (The first time I did this it was also with a lacquer without a hardener mix in it and it peeled straight off the moment it went on the bumper due to flexing of the splitters to fit). You need a hardener mix in the lacquer for it to stick properly.

ALSO

I wouldn't have rubbed it down to bare carbon fiber - the carbon fiber from the factory has a coating on it to stop the lacquer from soaking through it because carbon fiber is porous and you'll end up just laying coats and coats of it onto the splitters and you'll still not get that flat finish (you'll get a weaved look to the finish)

The factory splitters have a maximum of 2 coats on it only - it's very very thin - and this is only achievable with the stop coating on it.

[Andyk]

Looks good NZ M3 and some good advice as usual...:thumbs::thumbs:

[karbonkid]

Its not lacquer that is applied. Its professional epoxy top coat mixed with hardener to the ratio 2/1. The lacquer is optional to do when you have applied the 2 layers. This way is the way its done by BMW. :thumbs:

[Mark CSL]

Its not lacquer that is applied. Its professional epoxy top coat mixed with hardener to the ratio 2/1. The lacquer is optional to do when you have applied the 2 layers. This way is the way its done by BMW. :thumbs:

Are you sure that bmw dont use prepreg carbon put on a mould and then put in an autoclave oven :whistle:

But the way you are doing them is a good solution but the relacquer will do the same job if you dont rub them back to the carbon :thumbs:

[karbonkid]

When they are manufactured they are made in a mould correct. Using processes of lamination.
Its suggested to rub down the coats before applying new coats, being carful not to break into the carbon but smoothing the surface clear from all stone chips, then building the epoxy resin up and put in the oven to cure. Then wet sand and polish to get rid of high spots. A lacquer is optional at this point.

[shimmy]

certainly looks better

hope it lasts:thumbs:

[karbonkid]

...Updated.

Back from top coat and oven treatment. Final results:

From this:

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/2162/snv33640.jpg (http://img221.imageshack.us/i/snv33640.jpg/)

To this:

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/4312/snv33888.jpg (http://img32.imageshack.us/i/snv33888.jpg/)

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/7762/snv33889.jpg (http://img33.imageshack.us/i/snv33889.jpg/)

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/1416/snv33890.jpg (http://img33.imageshack.us/i/snv33890.jpg/)

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/4659/snv33891.jpg (http://img196.imageshack.us/i/snv33891.jpg/)

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/573/snv33892.jpg (http://img140.imageshack.us/i/snv33892.jpg/)

[sailorbaz]

Those are minted mate, I think I'll have to do my O/S one, once I receive my new N/S. Bit scared though, going at them with sandpaper not to mention, applying the lacquer!

[s.mac]

Great job Alex :thumbs:

[Andyk]

They look the dogs...do you want to do mine :whistle:

[bryce]

Good job bud. Need to get mine sorted out.

[Ade]

they look great! :thumbs: Really chuffed with mine that came out with the same results.

Forget buying new ones unless your old ones are cracked/broken... it seems refurbing these splitters is not a difficult job for those who know how.

[digi]

amazing!!!!

Could you outline all the necessary steps to achieve your results.

Outstanding. Great Job! :drool:

[karbonkid]

amazing!!!!

Could you outline all the necessary steps to achieve your results.

Outstanding. Great Job! :drool:

Right.. The best thing to do is get some wet/dry sand paper consisting of 120, 240, 400, 800 & 1200 grits.

Starting with the 120 and gently rubbing down the coats till all chips are near gone. Then use the 120 grit with a bucket of water (soapy is good) and work in circular motions gently, continue using the 240, 400, 800 & and finally finishing with the 1200. (1200 being the less corse grit) to get the smoothest matt finish.

Then the next stage is to get it coated with the epoxy resin (top coat). You can do this yourself but for best result like me, send it away to get professionally done. Like I found out the hard way after buying the kit & doing it myself and having to prep again. Contamination and accuracy of resin mix is vital!

Its best to send away to get treated with a professional environment to work in, free from dust and dirt settling.

I used a guy called perky. Use my name Alex as reference and mention the CSL splitters and he will know what work to expect if you have completed the sanding prep, ready for him to coat.

It should cost you around £75+ if you have done the prep, but if you wanted him to do the whole lot he would do.

Contact him via email: perky@perkinsautomotive.co.uk
Mobile: 07731868102

[digi]

Right.. The best thing to do is get some wet/dry sand paper consisting of 120, 240, 400, 800 & 1200 grits.

Starting with the 120 and gently rubbing down the coats till all chips are near gone. Then use the 120 grit with a bucket of water (soapy is good) and work in circular motions gently, continue using the 240, 400, 800 & and finally finishing with the 1200. (1200 being the less corse grit) to get the smoothest matt finish.

Then the next stage is to get it coated with the epoxy resin (top coat). You can do this yourself but for best result like me, send it away to get professionally done. Like I found out the hard way after buying the kit & doing it myself and having to prep again. Contamination and accuracy of resin mix is vital!

Its best to send away to get treated with a professional environment to work in, free from dust and dirt settling.

I used a guy called perky. Use my name Alex as reference and mention the CSL splitters and he will know what work to expect if you have completed the sanding prep, ready for him to coat.

It should cost you around £75+ if you have done the prep, but if you wanted him to do the whole lot he would do.

Contact him via email: perky@perkinsautomotive.co.uk
Mobile: 07731868102

Top Class writeup. :thumbs: Awesome Alex!!! :notworthy:

[karbonkid]

Thought it was time to give the front splitters another overhaul, although they weren't as bad as the last but with the front bumper being freshly resprayed it would have looked wrong not to have given them some sort of TLC.

Wont go into much detail as before but I began by wet sanding by hand using a 180-240 grit. Washing off into a clean bucket at regular intervals to clean the surface from contamination and between different paper grade changes. Then I carried out the same procedure with a finer - 400. Then finished with an 800 grit paper.

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/40/p1000313s.jpg (http://img59.imageshack.us/i/p1000313s.jpg/)

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/9026/p1000314hy.jpg (http://img51.imageshack.us/i/p1000314hy.jpg/)

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/1803/p1000316x.jpg (http://img28.imageshack.us/i/p1000316x.jpg/)

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/4807/p1000317p.jpg (http://img810.imageshack.us/i/p1000317p.jpg/)

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/1019/p1000328x.jpg (http://img52.imageshack.us/i/p1000328x.jpg/)

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9977/p1000329d.jpg (http://img88.imageshack.us/i/p1000329d.jpg/)

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/5898/p1000331sv.jpg (http://img580.imageshack.us/i/p1000331sv.jpg/)

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/9996/p1000340fl.jpg (http://img402.imageshack.us/i/p1000340fl.jpg/)

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/4615/p1000341v.jpg (http://img13.imageshack.us/i/p1000341v.jpg/)

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/5773/p1000343z.jpg (http://img687.imageshack.us/i/p1000343z.jpg/)

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/6246/p1000346rp.jpg (http://img18.imageshack.us/i/p1000346rp.jpg/)

The prep work is now done and ready for their top coats.
I will try & add a few pics of them finished when they are complete...

[funtime]

Nice work mate, shows it's money wasted forking out for new ones of these! :thumbs:

[Bounce]

Looking good,ill take mine off and send them up to you.;):thumbs:

[s.mac]

looking good :)

[karbonkid]

Looking good,ill take mine off and send them up to you.;):thumbs:


Sure, thats awfully nice of you! I could do with a spare set.

[M5 Powered]

for the time poor, is there anyone that I can send mine to for sanding and cooking?

Kindest

Jonathan

[glendog74]

What's the plan regarding lacquer coat Alex? Will you be sending them off to be done professionally or are you gonna try it yourself?

I'd be happy to re-furb my spare set but i'm not sure the lacquer that i have will harden sufficiently to last a reasonably long time... :bigcry:

[karbonkid]

for the time poor, is there anyone that I can send mine to for sanding and cooking?

Kindest

Jonathan

Any good bodyshop should be able to rub them down and lacquer them. Just advise/ check with them on how they intend to do it, to ensure it's done correctly. It's very straight forward tbh.

What's the plan regarding lacquer coat Alex? Will you be sending them off to be done professionally or are you gonna try it yourself?

I'd be happy to re-furb my spare set but i'm not sure the lacquer that i have will harden sufficiently to last a reasonably long time... :bigcry:
I did the prep work and I dropped them off to the bodyshop who are re-spraying the bumper.

They use a two part Lacquer which has a hardener in and this will give the best results, finishing with oven treatment. Like I did last time.

You cannot obtain a good and durable finish with any type of DIY aerosol, it gets applied too thin and does not last.

[glendog74]

Cheers Alex :thumbs:

[karbonkid]

Follow up of final stages:

Splitters were Lacquered and a polish compound was applied, working in to remove any surface dirt/ contamination that settled during the drying stage.

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/9593/p1000435j.jpg (http://img232.imageshack.us/i/p1000435j.jpg/)

Polish was removed & couple of layers of Victoria's Concours Wax went on.

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/7092/p1000439v.jpg (http://img821.imageshack.us/i/p1000439v.jpg/)

Wax cured, then buffed off...

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1718/p1000444qv.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/i/p1000444qv.jpg/)

http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/6492/p1000441.jpg (http://img860.imageshack.us/i/p1000441.jpg/)

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/4225/p1000443f.jpg (http://img26.imageshack.us/i/p1000443f.jpg/)


Thought it was time to give the front splitters another overhaul, although they weren't as bad as the last but with the front bumper being freshly resprayed it would have looked wrong not to have given them some sort of TLC.

Well not strictly true now after being fooked about trying to get the front bumper re-sprayed at 2 separate firms, both failing (even after leaving it with one of them for 4weeks), bringing me to the conclusion to give up & abandon the idea this season as it will only be back in its original state after a few TDs anyway.. so giving it a tidy up myself.
Work in progress atm..

[shimmy]

I'm just about to send 2 pairs to Perkins KK, did yours last ok with their work ?

[karbonkid]

I'm just about to send 2 pairs to Perkins KK, did yours last ok with their work ?

Yep, they did mine first time round only. They did a proper Job, no need to worry. You done the prepping?

[shimmy]

Yep, they did mine first time round only. They did a proper Job, no need to worry. You done the prepping?

No, was going to but they said they'd rather do it and all in for £75 a pair:thumbs:

[shimmy]

Yep, they did mine first time round only. They did a proper Job, no need to worry. You done the prepping?

No, was going to but they said they'd rather do it and all in for £75 a pair:thumbs:

They said the last guy really fooled it up!:thumbs:

[karbonkid]

No, was going to but they said they'd rather do it and all in for £75 a pair:thumbs:

They said the last guy really fooled it up!:thumbs:

:birdman:

Price is a bit steep thou :whistle:

[mattCSLnut]

BTW Good job on the splitters Alex :thumbs:
That reminds me :banghead: must get mine done before they disintegrate into thin air :bigcry:

[DuncanR]

Mmmmm i may have a spare pair in need of repair, we should talk to these Perkins boys about some discount ..... only after thay have raped Shim of course !!:hahaha:

[mattCSLnut]

Mmmmm i may have a spare pair in need of repair, we should talk to these Perkins boys about some discount ..... only after thay have raped Shim of course !!:hahaha:

:hahaha::hahaha::hahaha: the problem is he would probably :whistle: enjoy it ;) :hahaha:

[glendog74]

Mmmmm i may have a spare pair in need of repair, we should talk to these Perkins boys about some discount ..... only after thay have raped Shim of course !!:hahaha:

+1 :thumbs:

[DuncanR]

KK you heard of these guys at all ?

http://www.carbonology.com/carbonology-repair-service-c-147.html

They pay the cost of shipping your stuff back to you if you send it to them for appraisal and they cant repair it.... seems fair :smt102


Where can these Perkins chaps be found ?

[shimmy]

KK you heard of these guys at all ?

http://www.carbonology.com/carbonology-repair-service-c-147.html

They pay the cost of shipping your stuff back to you if you send it to them for appraisal and they cant repair it.... seems fair :smt102


Where can these Perkins chaps be found ?


http://www.perkinsautomotive.co.uk/

[DuncanR]

Cheers Shim.... I got your disease ,mate ! Cupollitus !
Bought 4 x 19" off 3wheels3 last week, and another 4 x 18" this week !! :smokin:
Gives me :-
6 x 18" brand new ones.
4 x 19" brand new ones.
loads x 19" part worn ones .... some not quite though to the canvas yet :supz:.
And before you ask T$ ....no ya cant have any !:birdman:

[M5 Powered]

Looks like I'll be dropping my spares off on Friday. They are only a few miles from me :thumbs:

[glendog74]

http://www.perkinsautomotive.co.uk/

What complete cnut designs a website based around Flash?!

I cannot open it from my work pc, iPhone or Apple MacBook :banghead:

Talk about shooting yourself in the foot for losing potential customers... :bigcry:

[M5 Powered]

Flash sites were all the rage in 1999 :whistle:

And Ipad users won't see a thing. :hahaha:

[karbonkid]

KK you heard of these guys at all ?

http://www.carbonology.com/carbonology-repair-service-c-147.html

They pay the cost of shipping your stuff back to you if you send it to them for appraisal and they cant repair it.... seems fair :smt102

Afraid not no, never dealt with them before.

For peps in Reading area theres a good chap, Noel @ NUR-Motorsport (http://www.nur-motorsport.co.uk/carbon_porscheGT2.htm). He manufactures carbon parts/ Repairs.

[karbonkid]

I'm just about to send 2 pairs to Perkins KK, did yours last ok with their work ?

Did they sort these for you Shim?

[shimmy]

Did they sort these for you Shim?


couldnt get trhu to them

but Finishline in Stevenage are doing them for £85 a pair inc sanding next week

Ill let you know how they do. Seem like a top outfit though

[karbonkid]

couldnt get trhu to them

but Finishline in Stevenage are doing them for £85 a pair inc sanding next week

Ill let you know how they do. Seem like a top outfit though

I had trouble getting hold of them few months back too. be intrigued to hear your thoughts on them being done from the above.

[karbonkid]

When giving up after trying countless times to get the front bumper resprayed, I thought better of it, as said previously. What a headache spray shops are! Although I did get the splitters done FOC. (Too fooking right)!! :hahaha:

Anyway, I decided to leave it till next year as it hasn't turned quite see through just yet! But I did settle on giving it a quick tidy up, touching in any large chips and the screw holes that caught my eye every time I went near.

My attempts DIY SOS:

Front bumper removed.
http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/6357/p1000490z.jpg (http://img807.imageshack.us/i/p1000490z.jpg/)

Body filler applied, allowing to dry, rubbed back till completely flush.
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5159/p1000446p.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/i/p1000446p.jpg/)

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/3635/p1000447b.jpg (http://img835.imageshack.us/i/p1000447b.jpg/)

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/2273/p1000448jg.jpg (http://img195.imageshack.us/i/p1000448jg.jpg/)

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/6232/p1000449a.jpg (http://img9.imageshack.us/i/p1000449a.jpg/)

Primed with a grey plastic primer. I decided to blow it in rather than masking off & folding back.
http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/2309/p1000464e.jpg (http://img687.imageshack.us/i/p1000464e.jpg/)

http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/543/p1000465e.jpg (http://img857.imageshack.us/i/p1000465e.jpg/)

3 coats later: + Left 24+hrs to dry then rubbed back with a fine 1500 wet & dry with plenty of water/ washing up liquid.
http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/3991/p1000466c.jpg (http://img860.imageshack.us/i/p1000466c.jpg/)

Painted A08 to match. Allowed 12+hrs to dry.
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/6885/p1000471t.jpg (http://img96.imageshack.us/i/p1000471t.jpg/)

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/4642/p1000470m.jpg (http://img94.imageshack.us/i/p1000470m.jpg/)

Lacquer applied over top, 4-5+ layers. Cured for 2-3 weeks (due to being cellulose) then rubbed down with a 2000 wet & dry (plenty of water/ washing up liquid) till surface looses all roughness and orange peel.
http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/3209/p1000530z.jpg (http://img560.imageshack.us/i/p1000530z.jpg/)

I used a cutting compound (T-cut) without aid of a machine polisher on a damp cloth. Buffed off.
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/7498/p1000537n.jpg (http://img98.imageshack.us/i/p1000537n.jpg/)

http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/4428/p1000539jj.jpg (http://img691.imageshack.us/i/p1000539jj.jpg/)

Polish was allied and worked in well, buffed off. Left was to add some wax which I decided to put on a week later.
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/3339/p1000551k.jpg (http://img9.imageshack.us/i/p1000551k.jpg/)

http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/9651/p1000549a.jpg (http://img847.imageshack.us/i/p1000549a.jpg/)

[Dan]

Afraid not no, never dealt with them before.

For peps in Reading area theres a good chap, Noel @ NUR-Motorsport (http://www.nur-motorsport.co.uk/carbon_porscheGT2.htm). He manufactures carbon parts/ Repairs.

Any experience of this guy Alex? I caught my front bumper on a flower pot up the Mrs drive this morning :banghead: :banghead: it will polish out but not happy about it and both the bumper and splitter are chipped to fook anyways! Oh, and I caught the offside splitter on the leading edge a while back as well! :bigcry: :banghead:

[NZ_M3]

:thumbs::thumbs: Superb work on the bumper Alex ... time to open your own repair shop me thinks :hahaha::hahaha::hahaha:

[karbonkid]

:thumbs::thumbs: Superb work on the bumper Alex ... time to open your own repair shop me thinks :hahaha::hahaha::hahaha:

Back off! Me not doing another fooker!! :hahaha:

Ta thou, I was well impressed with the results from just a series of aerosols. So much so I rewound time so I could take pics of prep stages so you lot can ave a go. :hahaha: :thumbs:

[M5 Powered]

Finally got round to picking up my splitters which were refurbed by Perkins.

The result? For 85 quid they look new. I can't even see where the stone chips were! Pics to follow. :thumbs:

[s.mac]

Alex, bumper looks mint ! i like to do a bit of diy but that is going some :thumbs:

[sailorbaz]

Alex, you said you used Rattle cans, where did you get them? Online or local? A local Motor factor can get our SG made up in Aerosols but I'm concerned as to the match. I also found some on Ebay, WA08 is it? Comes in two cans, £20 for the paint and the lacquer.

Thanks in advance, Baz

[glendog74]

A08 - Silber grau

[Dan]

Afraid not no, never dealt with them before.

For peps in Reading area theres a good chap, Noel @ NUR-Motorsport (http://www.nur-motorsport.co.uk/carbon_porscheGT2.htm). He manufactures carbon parts/ Repairs.

Alex, any first hand experience of this guy mate?

[Dan]

A08 - Silber grau

You're up early! ;)

[sailorbaz]

A08 - Silber grau

Thanks Robert. It is Sunday after all, :hahaha:

[karbonkid]

Alex, you said you used Rattle cans, where did you get them? Online or local? A local Motor factor can get our SG made up in Aerosols but I'm concerned as to the match. I also found some on Ebay, WA08 is it? Comes in two cans, £20 for the paint and the lacquer.

Thanks in advance, Baz

Got the cans at my local Autoshop off the shelf luckily.
As far as colour match goes, any A08 should match up regardless of makes, simply due to standard mix ratios being identical. Colour match will appear slightly different until lacquer is applied thou.

Alex, any first hand experience of this guy mate?

I haven't Dan but I have seen and heard his work is brill! :thumbs:

http://www.streetfire.net/video/nur-motorsport-carbonfibre-r34-rsr_637028.htm

[billyboysm3]

Finally got round to picking up my splitters which were refurbed by Perkins.

The result? For 85 quid they look new. I can't even see where the stone chips were! Pics to follow. :thumbs:

M5 Powered, after putting some miles on the splitters since the refurb how are the holding up?

Shimmy same to you?

Probably get mine done in the next couple of months.

[M5 Powered]

Still as new! :thumbs:

[billyboysm3]

Finally got round to picking up my splitters which were refurbed by Perkins.

The result? For 85 quid they look new. I can't even see where the stone chips were! Pics to follow. :thumbs:

M5 Powered have you got any picts?

[shimmy]

M5 Powered, after putting some miles on the splitters since the refurb how are the holding up?

Shimmy same to you?

Probably get mine done in the next couple of months.

Did mine at Finishline........won't do again! Peeling:banghead:

[0836whimper]

Hi all,

In this month's Evo, Harry reports on finding using T-cut colorfast ultimate black effective in getting the carbon splitters on his Zonda back to a point where stone chips look almost invisible.

Anyone tried this or any other similar product on the carbon splitters on a CSL ?

ta,

Mark