Carbon front wings milky

[Blackmamba]

Hi

I have the original carbon front and rear wings on my 2003 R400 and I know it's a common issue to have the carbon discolour over time. My rear wings seem fine but the fronts have broken out in white blotches at the top of the wing. I'm keen to retain the original wings rather than out new ones on so wondered if there was a good solution for this?

I have previously tried trim restorers and it worked but more recently the blotches come back quicker and I now can't get rid of them at all.

Any ideas welcome.

[Jonathan Kay]

Lots of victims and some recommendations for prevention and treatment.

Jonathan

[Geoff Brown]

Common problem with carbon wings. The milky appearance is due to moisture invading the substrate.

The only way out is to cut back & re lacquer. I did this very job a few years ago & still going strong. I used  Spray Max 2K Clearcoat Spray (400ml) : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive  which is excellent for the job but with all finishes prep & cleanliness is essential as is also your own health & safety.

I refinished the wings in situ but detached the repeaters & pulled them through enough to have a clear gap for the spray. Masking was detailed & lengthy to protect the rest of the car from over spray or fall out. The job was carried out during a hot week in summer to avoid the need to attempt to heat the garage to the required temperature in winter.

I purchased two cans as a jic but only used one on both cycle wings. Between coats I put the can in the fridge overnight to extend the life.

[ScottR400D]

I've found that my front carbon wings will go milky but only when actually damp. I.e. if they're dried out thoroughly the milkiness disappears. I simply heavily wax them and they stay good unless they get heavily soaked, which, to be fair, doesn't happen often.

 

 

[aerobod - near CYYC]

A good coating of WD40 with enough to leave the surface damp, then wipe off after leaving overnight, has solved similar water mark problems in my carbon front wings, If they are original from Caterham, there is no clear coat, just the resin of the pre-preg carbon fibre mat, so they are slightly porous. If clear coated the WD40 trick won't work.

[Geoff Brown]

Further to # 3 - the CF cycle wings for my 2012 car were lacquer finished.

[Blackmamba]

Thanks all. Mine are not lacquered so in their original finish. They went milky after I washed the car but I tried to dry as thoroughly as possible afterwards. Have tried WD40 but to no avail. Will try a vinyl and rubber solution that has worked before but could be a refinish and lacquer job which I was trying to avoid.

[Phil G]

Try a gentle application of heat from the underside and then slather top with wood silk beeswax.

[Jeff210R]

WD40 seems to be beneficial and I've bought some Wood Silk to try as well.  Thanks for all the recommendations.

[Blackmamba]

I found that creams potions on their own didn't do that much good but heating up the wings did. Then apply potions. Only temporary though and I suspect a rub down and relaquer is the only real soloution.

[SLR No.77]

Carbon wings from new are not lacquered.

Stu.

[SM25T]

I painted the underside with underseal to prevent water ingress from below.

[Wrightpayne]

You dont get this issue with fibreglass and gelcoat :-)