Fixed some rock chips on my CF roof

[hC1001]

Its not 100% perfect but its so much better than before. I had around 30+ rock chips on the roof from the previous owner. I was mostly concerned about the CF delaminating like on some E92 M3s. Some chips looked like dead bug splatter except it was permenant. A lot of the chips had pitting and gouges into the clearcoat/resin.

I first sanded down each area and cleaned it out with a diluted alcohol solution and air. Filled each chip with clearcoat lacquer, and let it dry for a week. Sanded it down to the same level as the CF roof, and compounded it with a polisher. Didnt get to finish it all(2/3rds compounded) but i will finish compounding then polish and install Xpel PPF on the front half of the roof.

[knightarmor]

Install the PPF on the whole roof otherwise you'll end up with a nasty line where PPF on the roof ends and you'll feel better when you walk out one day and see bird poop on the back half of the roof.

[hC1001]

Originally Posted by knightarmor

Install the PPF on the whole roof otherwise you'll end up with a nasty line where PPF on the roof ends and you'll feel better when you walk out one day and see bird poop on the back half of the roof.

Thanks for the suggestion. The car has too many rock chips that bother me more than the PPF line on the roof. Luckily, my car is silver and hides it better than other colours.

[jdgamble]

That's awesome work. I really only have one chip to speak of. It's right on the leading edge in front. I would like to fill and polish it out.

What brand of lacquer did you use?

Thanks.

[hC1001]

Originally Posted by jdgamble

That's awesome work. I really only have one chip to speak of. It's right on the leading edge in front. I would like to fill and polish it out.

What brand of lacquer did you use?

Thanks.

Got it from Automotivetouchup. Used a toothpick to apply. Just remember to apply more than surface level because it shrinks when drying. I used 1500, 2000 and 2500 wetsanding with a dense foam mini sanding pad. Cut out just enough sandpaper to only sand the touchup size.

The most important thing for me was sealing the chips so it wouldnt start delaminating.

[IVM3]

Nice work. I have one chip that has a bit of pitting and looks like dead bug splatter, less than the size of a dime. Is the cf roof finish that delicate that i should worry about filling it in to avoid de lamination?

[hC1001]

I think once there is penetration through the clear/resin, there will be a greater chance of delamination. Pressure washer, washing or detailing chemicals, water and freezing, etc can go under and cause lifting or weaken the bond. Thats why i wanted to seal it by filling it in with clearcoat. I also installed xpel on the leading front section of the roof and im extremely happy with how it came out.

If anyone is gonna do ppf i would recommend to remove the two side plastic rails so the ppf can extend all the way down the sides. You can also tuck the film behind the front windshield weatherseal

[Ejones4541]

Originally Posted by hC1001

Its not 100% perfect but its so much better than before. I had around 30+ rock chips on the roof from the previous owner. I was mostly concerned about the CF delaminating like on some E92 M3s. Some chips looked like dead bug splatter except it was permenant. A lot of the chips had pitting and gouges into the clearcoat/resin.

I first sanded down each area and cleaned it out with a diluted alcohol solution and air. Filled each chip with clearcoat lacquer, and let it dry for a week. Sanded it down to the same level as the CF roof, and compounded it with a polisher. Didnt get to finish it all(2/3rds compounded) but i will finish compounding then polish and install Xpel PPF on the front half of the roof.

Is lacquer UV resistant to yellowing over time?

[hC1001]

Originally Posted by Ejones4541

Is lacquer UV resistant to yellowing over time?

Yes, automotive clearcoat is UV resistant.