Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Clearcoat "ribbles"

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic33681.aspx

By Whitesol - 9/1/2019 7:55:17 AM

Hi,

I've recently come on to a problem  of which I'd like to know the exact cause, so what better place to ask than here..

I've skinned a few  plastic parts in CF  using the black basecoat & EL epoxy (fast hardener) and everything went as usual .. perfect

I applied an automotive UV resistant clearcoat (by spraygun) and the parts all looked stunning.

Now after a couple of days on the car, we're starting to see and feel  "ribbels" form  that run along exactly with the carbon fibre weave.
I've spoken to a few other people here that are into skinning and all have had the same problem with some parts but cannot explain the cause. They all say  that sanding & re-clearing the part solves the problem, but I'd like to know what causes it.

Some parts were installed on cars that were in the sun, others were  in a garage and have seen no sun .. yet both suffer the same issue
By Whitesol - 9/4/2019 10:50:39 AM

I usually allow at least a 24 hr curing time before sanding and a 48hr or longer gap between the last wetsand and the applying of the clearcoat, to prevent the risk of any moisture still being present.
I've re-cleared these specific parts  and they've been out in the sun  for a full day  allready with no sign of deforming again, so the problem does seem solved :-)