Carbon Dash - air pockets in gelcoat

[Ryan]

Anyone else deal with this on these SLC carbon dash's? I am just curious if this is a common deal. This is after the dash has been painted and the soft touch coating applied. I noticed them when I first received the parts long ago, but when the parts are shiny they aren't as noticeable.

Here is a pic of the part cleared before the soft coatings was applied. They are noticeable, but the soft coating definitely magnifies them. Trust me they are there, but the gloss hides them much better.

 

[Devin]

Ryan, which soft touch brand are you using and what is your experience with it? I’m debating doing my GT40 dash and possibly other interior surfaces in black.

 

[Ryan]

This stuff was purchased through www.reflectionsinpaint.com. it seemed to spray nice. but its all coming off due to the customer wanting to redo the carbon sections. I'll let you know how it sprays the 2nd time around, lol(actually crying inside)

 

[Ryan]

Figured I'd share this experience. Had to strip this gem down to nothing and redo it all, fun stuff.

Re-did all of the bodywork and primed it.

Sanded and a final coat of black epoxy

New carbon layer and a clear poly topcoat. Had to do it in sections so it took a few days.

Takes 2 rounds of clear poly, but its a nice product and fills great.

 

[Ryan]

Finished product.. Still have to polish it, but it came out decent.

Added some carbon to the front to change it up alittle.

 

[Ken Roberts]

Looks fantastic, just beware that you will get a bad reflection in the front window with that gloss finish.

 

[Alex]

Agreed - you are going to hate life with the reflection - my 917 has a titanium hump for my digidash. I love it but the reflection is such a SOB to deal with. Dashes should be matt.

Also, to answer your original question, my carbon pieces (front splitter, side skirts, and rear window) have little pockets like in your first picture ... other than cosmetic the pieces have been fine for almost 20yrs

 

[Joel K]

Beautiful work Ryan!

 

[Hector]

fantastic end result !! But I agree that the reflection is going to be a problem. I hate to see the hours and the price on that job!!!
I did it with one piece of leather and it was extremely difficult.

 

[DaveC]

Looks fantastic, just beware that you will get a bad reflection in the front window with that gloss finish.

polarized sunglasses are essential in these situations, a good pair will erase that reflexion. not a great solution at night though...

 

[Ryan]

The customer is aware of the possible glare issue. Got it installed last night. A-pillar pieces aren't even in the realm of fitting. I am kind of shocked(well not really) since I was given those to paint years ago. Was hoping they would have been fit. Oh well, its only my time. That will be a project for another time. Right now this thing just needs to get some miles on it. I may suggest some matte finish PPF on the top of the dash in areas depending on the glare.

 

[Joel K]

Stunning!

 

[Ken Roberts]

The A pillar covers will fit if you widen the front roll hope like many of us have done. The factory finally reprofiled the hoop a couple of years ago to address this problem.

 

[Ryan]

That's hilarious!!!! Sorry, my frustrations with this car are finally boiling over.

I am just going to cut them up into little pieces, make them fit and re-do the carbon. Maybe next winter.

 

[Hector]

I bent and re welded the front hoop and completely re designed the A pilar covers. major job . Sorry to tell you . I absolutely hated the horrendoulsy wide A pilar covers. Nothing is easy or straight forward with this project, unfortunately. Hope this is helpful in the future when you are ready to tackle the project

 

[Ryan]

Super frustrating from the painters(me) perspective, but those a-pillar pieces will have to be for another time. Not the end of the world and definitely not stopping the car from being driven.

 

[Hector]

WelI, I have to say your craftsmanship is superb, hope you are getting compensated accordingly

 

[Ryan]

I appreciate that. Hopefully the owner enjoys the car and it shows well. I will have a video up in a few weeks of the entire job.

For now I think I am just going to sit on my porch and stare out into the sky for a bit!

But there is one right behind it. btw-my phone is total shit.