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Scratch Repairs to Carbon?

 
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wylieflyote

Since 30 Jun 2006
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Puget Sound & Wa. Coast
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PostSat Oct 28, 17 10:15 am    Scratch Repairs to Carbon? Reply with quote

Quick Question:
What it the best way to repair minor surface scratches to a carbon foil wing & mast?
Could I simply mix up some West Marine epoxy and apply a thin coat? Wet sand forever?

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Kip Wylie

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eric

Since 13 Jan 2006
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PostSat Oct 28, 17 10:41 am     Reply with quote

I asked a similar question a while back. Have not tried any techniques yet, though:

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-42513.html&highlight=

Eric

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eric

Since 13 Jan 2006
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PostSun Oct 29, 17 10:26 am     Reply with quote

Just this morning I broke out my wet sand pack I got on Amazon for cheap. Grit runs 400 to 5000 in 200/300/500/1000 increments: 400/600/800/1000/1200/1500/2000/2500/3000/3500/4000/5000.

I had some chips and rough edges etc. This method makes everything very smooth, with a matt carbon finish when done; not the factory shine. It removes blemishes. For deeper scratches > 1mm, it smoothes them out, but I think due to light reflective properties against the black carbon you can still see them. I think you are looking at a filling technique for those. For my purpose, which was to get everything smooth to the touch and remove burrs from the edges of the wings I am very happy with how this turned out. I had a pretty nasty wing injury to my ankle early this month so I really wanted to dull and round the wing edges in addition to getting the wing surfaces smooth.

I am interested in filling the scratches and bringing the shine back at some point, simply because I tend to be more careful with my gear when it looks new. Winter project with beer.

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wylieflyote

Since 30 Jun 2006
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Puget Sound & Wa. Coast
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PostSun Oct 29, 17 11:18 am     Reply with quote

Eric,
Thank You. Also a winter project, this is a Ghost Whisperer I picked up for a song. The included image has been sent to me because I actually have not seen the setup (I'm in Tacoma, image is from Hood River)
Kip in Tacoma


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Kip Wylie

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eric

Since 13 Jan 2006
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PostSun Oct 29, 17 2:28 pm     Reply with quote

Sandbar scars. Pretty par for the course. Those look cosmetic. "My" method will smooth those out, but you will lose shine.

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dwaynej

Since 09 Sep 2013
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PostWed Nov 01, 17 10:02 pm     Reply with quote

AlpineFoil recommended an automotive clear coat to fill in the scratches followed with sanding. A two part epoxy paint would likely be more effective.

IMO, better to fill the scratches than just sanding away the existing clear coat.

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Wind Slither

Since 04 Mar 2005
2570 Posts
The 503
METAL



PostThu Nov 02, 17 6:32 am     Reply with quote

I stumbled on a You Tube video claiming that plane techs repair carbon props with super glue and baking power.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU2qph2vG9Y

Also, Harbor Freight has a good selection of fine sand paper.

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Scriffler

Since 03 Jul 2005
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PostFri Nov 03, 17 12:27 am     Reply with quote

If you want to be an instant pro go pony up 100 plus dollars for a West System epoxy kit with the 105 epoxy and the 205(fast), 206(slow), and the 207(special clear). Any filling work should be done with the 205, laminating or hot temperature work with the 206, and clear and gloss coats with the 207. I used to repair Surfboards for years with polyester resin. Ever since I have switched to epoxy my repairs are never fail. I stick a lot of boards back together that have been broken in half. I would say half the time I would do that with polyester I would hear that the board had failed shortly after. I had glassed a board with west system I had left over from a construction job where the general just gave me a gallon of west system. I repaired an 8’11 dick brewer that was pretty much broken all the way through. I restored I like new and I still see the guy riding it. I only say all this cause before I used the best materials for repairs, I felt like I did not even know what I was doing. It’s super easy when you follow all the right steps.

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wylieflyote

Since 30 Jun 2006
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Puget Sound & Wa. Coast
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PostFri Nov 03, 17 6:37 am     Reply with quote

Thank You, Scriffler, Eric, All
I went ahead and slowly started up the wet-sand chore of 400- to -3000. Once this is done I'll grab my power buffer and my rubbing & polishing compounds from car work. Already seems to look OK, but I've lost the clear-coat look (pre-buffing stage). Fingers crossed.
Kip

PS, Scriffler... Once in the very early 90s I re-assembled an RRD windsurf board (EPS) that I snapped completely in half, using the West Marine System. It all turned out nice, lasts forever. A few hours of glass, a few days of sanding, a few weeks of itching Smile
"Itching for Fun" is a mantra of Fiberglass Supply in Bingen

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Kip Wylie

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Ho-Toe

Since 30 Apr 2014
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pissed-off science guy like Bill Nye
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PostFri Nov 03, 17 7:07 pm    not to sound like your mom, but... Reply with quote

I love that "itching for fun" quote.

Along those lines, please take all necessary precautions while doing in-house repairs with epoxy. It is truly nasty stuff, and exposure effects are cumulative.

Sermon over.

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wylieflyote

Since 30 Jun 2006
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PostMon Nov 06, 17 7:17 am     Reply with quote

Everything went purfect. As suggested I purchased wet-sand paper of 400 to 3500 and spent half a day DIY. Then followed with buffing wheel and rubbing compound, then polishing compound. Like new.
And... now I'm hearing from other foilers that I should get out the 2000 grit and produce a matte finish instead of high-gloss.

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Kip Wylie

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eric

Since 13 Jan 2006
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PostMon Nov 06, 17 9:10 am     Reply with quote

^^^

some hydrodynamics involved, yes. But ain't that shine Purdy? Leave it and kite at the sandbar for the 50 grit finish...

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Nak

Since 19 May 2005
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PostMon Nov 06, 17 4:15 pm     Reply with quote

wylieflyote wrote:
Everything went purfect.

Pictures! Pictures!

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wylieflyote

Since 30 Jun 2006
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Puget Sound & Wa. Coast
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PostTue Nov 07, 17 12:10 pm     Reply with quote

Nak wrote:
wylieflyote wrote:
Everything went purfect.

Pictures! Pictures!

Again, this was 400/600/800/1000/1500/2000/2500/3500 then Rubbing, then Polishing Compound:




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Kip Wylie

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Nak

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PostTue Nov 07, 17 1:30 pm     Reply with quote

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