Carbon Splitters Refurb UPDATE.
 

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://img61.imageshack.us/img61/1499/snv33625.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/410/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://img385.imageshack.us/img385/1799/snv33647.jpg

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/9131/snv33643.jpg

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

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

To be continued...

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

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.

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

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:

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.

certainly looks better

hope it lasts:thumbs:

...Updated.

Back from top coat and oven treatment. Final results:

From this:

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/2162/snv33640.jpg

To this:

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/4312/snv33888.jpg

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/7762/snv33889.jpg

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/1416/snv33890.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/4659/snv33891.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/573/snv33892.jpg

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!

Great job Alex :thumbs:

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

Good job bud. Need to get mine sorted out.

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.

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

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

Carbon Splitter Refurb - take 2
 

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://img51.imageshack.us/img51/9026/p1000314hy.jpg

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/1803/p1000316x.jpg

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/4807/p1000317p.jpg

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/1019/p1000328x.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9977/p1000329d.jpg

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/5898/p1000331sv.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/9996/p1000340fl.jpg

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/4615/p1000341v.jpg

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/5773/p1000343z.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/6246/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...

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

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

looking good :)

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

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

Kindest

Jonathan

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:

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.

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.

Cheers Alex :thumbs:

Carbon Splitter Refurb - take 2
 

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

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

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/7092/p1000439v.jpg

Wax cured, then buffed off...

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1718/p1000444qv.jpg

http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/6492/p1000441.jpg

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/4225/p1000443f.jpg


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..

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?

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

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:

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

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:

+1 :thumbs:

KK you heard of these guys at all ?

http://www.carbonology.com/carbonolo...ice-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/

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: