AndrewGP Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 My car's carbon front wings and noseband need a good polish. The archive's say all sorts but Mer Bumper Gel seems to be the business. However, my 2001 car has what I would call 'dry look' carbon whereas the newer Sevens carbon have the 'wet look'. Is there a difference or is mine just 'old'? If there is a difference when did CC change their supplier? And will the Mer stuff work on my 'dry look' CF bits? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 Hi Andrew, assume the lacquer is still present, but has gone dull ? Following a recommendation on here I use a furniture spray polish called Wood Silk, available from supermarkets. It has a distinctive yellow cap shaped like a beehive. Cheap and very effective - in my experience. edit - prior to discovering the above revelation, I used Mer B&V cleaner to good effect. Also works well on black vinyl covered dash and switches. Edited by - Stationary M25 Traveller on 16 Oct 2012 09:06:14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewGP Posted October 16, 2012 Author Share Posted October 16, 2012 Hi SM25T Yes just dull, ie there is no shine to it. But it does look very different to the newer wet look stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eugene Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 Back to black bumper/plastic polish works fab! The added black dye really gets a good colour back in old carbon. 😬 😬 😬 Edited by - Eugene on 16 Oct 2012 09:38:03 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prism-er Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 Never mind all those expensive off the shelf products. Search in the back of the kitchen cupboard for that dried up old tin of black shoe polish. Prise off the lid and spray on some WD40 to make a paste. Rub onto the surface of the carbon fibre with an old rag then polish up with a dry cloth. Job done and as cheap as chips 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewGP Posted October 16, 2012 Author Share Posted October 16, 2012 Thanks all. I still can't help thinking my CF is different to the newer stuff though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted October 16, 2012 Member Share Posted October 16, 2012 Quoting grenpayne: I still can't help thinking my CF is different to the newer stuff though?Try carbon dating? Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 Is that where lonely lightweights get to meet up ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 If it wasn't for the weight addition I'd use shoe polish, but there's no need to add anything that does not make it go faster, is there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prism-er Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 RJ you could always opt for Light Tan instead of Black 😬 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative bluenose Posted October 16, 2012 Area Representative Share Posted October 16, 2012 With SM25 on this one, Wood silk furniture polish works a treat. I think it is because it does not contain silicon? Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 Correct - no silicones - just beeswax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 Quoting Stationary M25 Traveller: beeswax In fact just what I've used in a weak moment 😳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted October 16, 2012 Leadership Team Share Posted October 16, 2012 Quoting grenpayne: Thanks all. I still can't help thinking my CF is different to the newer stuff though? Andrew, it is different .... there's just too many folks on here who haven't been round long enough to remember 😬 Around 1997 when the first Superlights were made the carbon was a very dull finish, not sure how long this lasted but certainly by around 1999 a higher gloss version was used. Best suggestion for looking after the dull stuff is probably something such as Autoglym bumper care which will enhance the weave and add a little protection. If you try polishing it to a high gloss finish you'll probably regret ever starting! Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil66 Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 I like the "old" carbon - the matt look is less bling in yer face.. a more refined subtlety to it I feel ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Alston Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 My 1999 Supersport has the older type of carbon front wings and in my opinion they look much better than the newer high gloss type. I keep mine looking good by the occasional use of Simonize Back To black. This works very well and gives a nice sheen. How I wishI could find a pair of rear wings to match them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewGP Posted October 17, 2012 Author Share Posted October 17, 2012 Stu and John, thanks, just the info I was after John, I have carbon rear wings but unfortunately they are painted 😔 Neil, I like both types but I'm happy with what I have, I just want it a little shinier 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted October 17, 2012 Leadership Team Share Posted October 17, 2012 Quoting grenpayne: I have carbon rear wings but unfortunately they are painted 😔 No unfortunate about it! I removed my very shiny DiTP carbon rear wings and fitted Caterham CF ones which I promptly had painted .... IMHO the car looks much better with painted rear wings It's colour-dependent, mine's Lotus Azure Blue and I felt the plain CF looked naff. My previous 7 was red and after a spell with plain carbon I swapped back to red rear wings. Yellow does look good with CF though Stu. Edited by - sforshaw on 17 Oct 2012 22:55:47 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewGP Posted October 18, 2012 Author Share Posted October 18, 2012 Quoting sforshaw: Yellow does look good with CF though Soon to be Porsche GT3RS Orange when the nice men from Arch and TSK have worked their magic 😬 Edited by - grenpayne on 18 Oct 2012 07:46:54 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MK07FUN Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 Quoting John Alston: My 1999 Supersport has the older type of carbon front wings and in my opinion they look much better than the newer high gloss type. I keep mine looking good by the occasional use of Simonize Back To black. This works very well and gives a nice sheen. How I wishI could find a pair of rear wings to match them. Top tip ... Next time you have an alcohol wipe left over from a pack of some adhesive number plate adhesive pads, use them to quickly wipe that annoying bit of grime between the flash and main beam switches ... PRESTO! Lovely modern lacquered finish becomes lovely unlaquered old style carbon! ... So now to decide ... Try all the wax and polish tricks, or buy more alcohol wipes and go old school?! (BTW, I am gutted as I loved the lacquer!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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