Protection for eBay Carbon Fiber spoiler

Allblackbimmer

Allblackbimmer

New member
Joined
May 22, 2014
Messages
23
Reaction score
0
Hello, long time lurker, first time poster.

I have a 2008 BMW 3 series (E90) .. and the infamous BMW Jet Black.

I just bought an eBay carbon fiber trunk spoiler for my car.
I mention ebay because, historically, these parts are not as well clear coated or protected as factory pieces.

I JUST got my spoiler yesterday, and it looks great! I fear that the clear coat (it is actually clear coat, NOT gel coat) will not protect UV rays over a year or two outside, and the carbon fiber and clear coat will start to yellow.

I want to obviously prevent this.

The spoiler is fresh, unmounted... so it would be much easy to apply anything to the spoiler now, before I install.

How should I properly take care of this? My main concern is UV rays that will cause it to dull and yellow over time.

I thought about using some clear vinyl film and wrapping it... OR, should I just wax or sealant it every few months? Im am not sure if the wax alone will be enough?

If I do clear wrap it, should I wax/seal it BEFORE I put the vinyl on? Or, just wrap it as-is now, and then wax over top of the vinyl.

All comments and suggestions are welcomed! I look forward to learning a lot on this website!
 
Allblackbimmer said:
I thought those products were for headlights and "clear lenses"?
Click to expand...

Arguably the clearcoat on your CF is a "clear lens". You're looking for UV protection, I suggested some products that do or may (not sure about DLux) add specific UV protection, take it for what it's worth (which is nothing, because it's free advice).

Disclaimer: I have never had any CF to protect.
 
I'd first get it sprayed with a couple
more coats of ClearCoat.

And:
Since they're not all created equal:
Get the CC that contains the maximum amount of
UV-inhibitors/absorbers that's available.

Then...
Check with Dr. Beasley's, or Nanolex, for their recommended product(s), with which to seal:
ClearCoated Carbon Fiber.


Bob
 
tenblade2001 said:
303 maybe?
Click to expand...

After looking into this product, looks promising...

However, it says it works on many surfaces... but does not state "clear coat"...
Think it would be OK? I may buy this anyway for use on other things...
I also vinyl wrapped my front grille on my car, so I might get this for that.

I copied and pasted this from the product info I was looking at:

Safe and Effective on:

  • Vinyl
  • Clear Vinyl
  • Gel-Coat
  • Fiberglass
  • Carbon Fiber
  • Synthetic/Natural Rubber
  • Plastics and Finished Leather
 
281 said:
^What Bob said!
Click to expand...

I'll be honest...

I am being lazy, and I do not feel like getting it sprayed with more clear coat...
Im sure I can find a good body/paint shop in my area, but always run the risk of getting a half-assed job... (and will delay install as I will search for 3-4 weeks on a good paint shop in my area... see below)
I thought about rattle canning it, but quickly dismissed that thought as well.

The clear coat on it now, while probably thin, is glass smooth.


Come springtime, I plan on switching to Klasse AIO and Sealant for my car...

Would this be enough for good UV protection? I know some use Klasse sealant on their headlights...

I am unfamiliar with Dr. Beasley's or Nanolex products... I am sure they are good... but this just opens up another can of worms for me (i.e. spending 3 more weeks googling and searching about these products - Like I tend to do with everything else I do, ha)

It seems like not one person suggested to cover it in clear vinyl.... I know this is a detailing forum, so may get biased opinions, but is clear vinyl NOT a good solution?
 
I've actually seen some of these spoilers in person and would say most are clear coated, so just treat as you would your paint. Have any close up pics you could post?
 
AnthonyGXP said:
I've actually seen some of these spoilers in person and would say most are clear coated, so just treat as you would your paint. Have any close up pics you could post?
Click to expand...

It is 100% clear coated...

I sent an email after I bought to confirm if it was cleared or gel coated.

Im at work, but I can post a picture of it later today... nothing special... just carbon with a high glossy, smooth finish on top.
 
Allblackbimmer said:
I'll be honest...

I am being lazy, and I do not feel like getting it sprayed with more clear coat...
Im sure I can find a good body/paint shop in my area, but always run the risk of getting a half-assed job... (and will delay install as I will search for 3-4 weeks on a good paint shop in my area... see below)
I thought about rattle canning it, but quickly dismissed that thought as well.

The clear coat on it now, while probably thin, is glass smooth.


Come springtime, I plan on switching to Klasse AIO and Sealant for my car...

Would this be enough for good UV protection? I know some use Klasse sealant on their headlights...

I am unfamiliar with Dr. Beasley's or Nanolex products... I am sure they are good... but this just opens up another can of worms for me (i.e. spending 3 more weeks googling and searching about these products - Like I tend to do with everything else I do, ha)
Click to expand...
Not lazy...Perhaps a little impatient;
but: OK...it's your CF aftermarket item.

Allblackbimmer said:
It seems like not one person suggested to cover it in clear vinyl.... I know this is a detailing forum, so may get biased opinions, but is clear vinyl NOT a good solution?
Click to expand...
Clear vinyl is discussed on this forum quite frequently.

In fact:
I'm usually the one that recommends having clear-vinyl/paint protection film (PPF) installed on vulnerable areas.

The PPF I recommend is made by XPel (Ultimate).
It's what I use on my vehicles.


Note:
Hope the CF-vendor has provided a warranty.


Bob
 
IMHO clear bra type material for this application probably isn't the best idea. Traditionally, CB material (or PPF) is used on locations of the vehicle that sustain impacts from rocks, gravel, etc...

The reason is because the PPF just doesn't look as good as clear coat - but, it looks better than clear coat that has been pelted with rocks and chipped. So, PPF is USUALLY a sacrificial barrier against impacts on the paint.

Not that you couldn't use PPF here - but I wouldn't bother. The spoiler will not likely have an impact issue due to its location on the vehicle. Also, wether or not PPF protects its substrate to UV exposure to any significant degree has yet to be proven to me.

Adding additional clear coat to an already clear coated piece is an impractical idea, that may be cost prohibitive; & whose final results would be unpredictable at best.

303 Protectant on paint is a bad idea. It doesn't say "use on paint" or clear coat because it's a dressing / protectant for trim, plastic, vinyl, & leather. It's durability in rain has been questioned as well.

My advice - wax it like the rest of the car and be done with it.
 
FUNX725 said:
Not lazy...Perhaps a little impatient;
but: OK...it's your CF aftermarket item.


Clear vinyl is discussed on this forum quite frequently.

In fact:
I'm usually the one that recommends having clear-vinyl/paint protection film (PPF) installed on vulnerable areas.

The PPF I recommend is made by XPel (Ultimate).
It's what I use on my vehicles.


Note:
Hope the CF-vendor has provided a warranty.


Bob
Click to expand...

Hmmm.. Impatient would be a good way to describe me, ha.
But I've looked in 3M, suntek, and xpel vinyls...

None of them "actively promote" uv protection... Most are like the last poster said, and are for stone/rock chips...

Only ones I've seen with UV inhibitors seem to be made for a house to prevent "dulling paint" and whatnot, and used on house windows.

Xpel ultimate seems like a great product, but unsure of it being the corr ct use for my situation....? Upon research, I don't see any mention of uv protection... Do you know if there are any uv inhibitors in the ultimate product?

303 would be a good product to use IF I ended up clear wrapping it I believe, but not on my paint/clear coat.
 
swanicyouth said:
IMHO clear bra type material for this application probably isn't the best idea. Traditionally, CB material (or PPF) is used on locations of the vehicle that sustain impacts from rocks, gravel, etc...

The reason is because the PPF just doesn't look as good as clear coat - but, it looks better than clear coat that has been pelted with rocks and chipped. So, PPF is USUALLY a sacrificial barrier against impacts on the paint.

Not that you couldn't use PPF here - but I wouldn't bother. The spoiler will not likely have an impact issue due to its location on the vehicle. Also, wether or not PPF protects its substrate to UV exposure to any significant degree has yet to be proven to me.

Adding additional clear coat to an already clear coated piece is an impractical idea, that may be cost prohibitive; & whose final results would be unpredictable at best.

303 Protectant on paint is a bad idea. It doesn't say "use on paint" or clear coat because it's a dressing / protectant for trim, plastic, vinyl, & leather. It's durability in rain has been questioned as well.

My advice - wax it like the rest of the car and be done with it.
Click to expand...

I agree... The more research I do on clear wraps, the less I want to use them... All the auto clear wraps are just what you said... They protect against rock chips... None of them seem to include UV protection as one of their qualities.

I'm ok with a wrap and it not looking "as good" as clear coat... But like I said, I'm after uv protection, not chipping, and it doesn't seem like there is a clear auto vinyl out that for this application.

This spring, I am switching to Klasse AIO and sealant for my car... Do you think that will provide good uv protection on my spoiler as well? I will prob wax overtop the sealant after a few coats as that's what seems to be what many of the reviews and guides I read of klasse do.
 
I guess you're going to keep asking until you get the answer you want to hear--so ok, one application of 303 will protect your spoiler until 2049, or longer if you garage it at night.
 
Nothing I know of can entirely stop or prevent fading, cracking, or discoloration of carbon fiber when exposed to the elements.

Yet:
There may actually be Sealant(s) and Wax(es) that just might have UV-inhibitors/absorbers in their formulations...
the ones that may possibly assist in slowing down the degradation of CF... :dunno:

OEM CF usually has a "special CC";
Aftermarket CF...not so much.


Bob
 
Setec Astronomy said:
I guess you're going to keep asking until you get the answer you want to hear--so ok, one application of 303 will protect your spoiler until 2049, or longer if you garage it at night.
Click to expand...

Not at all... I just like open discussion about things... isn't that what a forum is for?
I know there is no "magic" product... but I am just looking for the best option for my particular application, and I figure many of the experts on this site would have some insight as to which they might be.
There has been some great suggestions in this thread already, and as you can, some differing opinions. I am just trying to gain knowledge to make an informed decision.

303 seems like a great product, which I am going to buy, for other uses... but as someone else said in this thread, it is not for "paint or clear coat", so direct application would not apply.... unless I clear vinyl wrap it.
 
FUNX725 said:
Nothing I know of can entirely stop or prevent fading, cracking, or discoloration of carbon fiber when exposed to the elements.

Yet:
There may actually be Sealant(s) and Wax(es) that just might have UV-inhibitors/absorbers in their formulations...
the ones that may possibly assist in slowing down the degradation of CF... :dunno:

OEM CF usually has a "special CC";
Aftermarket CF...not so much.


Bob
Click to expand...

Agree.

I am def leaning towards NOT wrapping it, and just using sealant+wax regularly on it, as there doesn't seem to be any clear vinyl's out there that do what I am after.
 
Allblackbimmer said:
I am just looking for the best option for my particular application, and I figure many of the experts on this site would have some insight as to which they might be.
Click to expand...

You want the best option (no mention made of cost being a consideration), so I suggest Opti-Lens ( "Polycarbonate headlight lenses require far more UV protection than paint does so Dr. David Ghodoussi – CEO and chemist behind Optimum Polymer Technologies – formulated Opti-Lens Headlight Coating with the highest amount of UV inhibitors available in a coating.")and DLux ("It repels UV rays...with a crystal clear coating...with strong UV protection.") {quotes from Autogeek store product pages}

But your solution is this:

Allblackbimmer said:
I am def leaning towards...just using sealant+wax regularly on it
Click to expand...

If that's what you want to do, fine, hey, I tried.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top