Painting Carbon Fiber

Painting Carbon Fiber

What's the best way to refinish carbon fiber? Whether you're painting new or refinishing previously painted carbon fiber parts, always start with a thorough hot, soapy water wash and rinse. Follow this with a second cleaning using SX103 MULTI-PREP cleaner or SWX350 H2O-SO-CLEAN® waterborne pre-cleaner. Then follow the simple process outlined here:

For un-painted gelcoated carbon fiber:

  • Finish sand to 320 or 400 grit
  • Re-clean with SX103 or SWX350
  • Seal with an epoxy primer. Either DPLF Epoxy Primer or DPLV 2.1 VOC Epoxy Primer are excellent choices
  • Apply basecoat color and clear

For pre-painted parts:

  • It’s best to mechanically remove the existing finish then treat as new un-painted gelcoated carbon fiber.
  • Finish sand to 320 or 400 grit
  • Re-clean with SX103 or SWX350
  • Seal with an epoxy primer. Either DPLF Epoxy Primer or DPLV 2.1 VOC Epoxy Primer are excellent choices
  • Apply basecoat color and clear

For more information on carbon fiber and other substrates, check out the Custom Restoration Guide on ppgrefinish.com for more great tips and tricks!