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Refinishing a carbon fiber a-cat mast #277512
02/09/15 05:19 PM
02/09/15 05:19 PM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 337
Arizona
AzCat Offline OP
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AzCat  Offline OP
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Arizona
I am currently refinishing a carbon fiber a-cat mast. Saarburg medium.. I have scraped all of the old peeling clear coat and have wet sanded the mast with 400 wet dry. I think that the last may have been re cleared previously, likely due to peeling finish. There are places on the mast that it seems the old clear oat is still adhering to the carbon fiber verywell. When sanded, these areas show up as more shiney and smoother spots. Also, there are some spots where the CF/old clear,has a bit of a hazy look . Also , a few razor nicks here and there. The mast exterior has a weave texture to it, so it is very hard to get everything off in these areas. How much should (dare) I sand to get a good finish v ruining the mast? Or is this a " screw it, it's gonna have to be good enough" situation?


Auscat MKV 444 A class
NACRA I-20- 440/CATHATKA
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Re: Refinishing a carbon fiber a-cat mast [Re: AzCat] #277518
02/10/15 03:27 PM
02/10/15 03:27 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 524
Petten Netherlands
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northsea junkie Offline
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Petten Netherlands
A clear coat has mainly its purpose to protect the underlying surface (the carbon/resin laminate) against scratches and UV.

I'm not sure if that's your only objection. Or is it aesthetically too?

What new clear coat you want to apply? If it's PU based only roughing up the underlying base with light sanding will do the job.
It's clear that if you should change to a coloured finishing coat instead of a clear one, you have the least problems.

You then have to sacrifice the carbon-look though

Last edited by northsea junkie; 02/10/15 03:28 PM.

ronald
RAIDER-15 (homebuilt)

hey boy, what did you do over there, alone far out at sea?..
"huh....., that's the only place where I'm happy, sir.
Re: Refinishing a carbon fiber a-cat mast [Re: AzCat] #277523
02/10/15 04:06 PM
02/10/15 04:06 PM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 337
Arizona
AzCat Offline OP
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AzCat  Offline OP
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Arizona
I just want to make sure that the new finish looks good and doesn't end up all blotchy and splotchy. But I also don't want to put a week of weeks worth of work into the mast.


Auscat MKV 444 A class
NACRA I-20- 440/CATHATKA
Re: Refinishing a carbon fiber a-cat mast [Re: AzCat] #277525
02/10/15 04:39 PM
02/10/15 04:39 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 524
Petten Netherlands
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northsea junkie Offline
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Petten Netherlands
Then I would go for a non-clear coloured finish. The result is then less influenced by the underground.
The only demands are then a smooth and a good surface for adhesion. It will easily give a nice looking finish. UV protection is far out the best.

Plus, you can play a little bit with the design of the colours,
if you want.

Finally its also cool to not show your mast is of carbon!


ronald
RAIDER-15 (homebuilt)

hey boy, what did you do over there, alone far out at sea?..
"huh....., that's the only place where I'm happy, sir.
Re: Refinishing a carbon fiber a-cat mast [Re: AzCat] #277527
02/10/15 04:57 PM
02/10/15 04:57 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 94
australia
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self_inflicted Offline
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self_inflicted  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 94
australia
hi Azcat. I clearcoated my mast, After it was in the same state as you have described. I used 2 pack clear coat (norglass), And painted it with a brush, Too lazy to spray it. (2 coats) The mast came up really well, From 3 feet away it looked like a new mast, When you got close you could see the brush marks and some of the blemishes that i could not get out with out really sanding the mast heavily.
I did have an email from Saarsberg mast somwhere, And he said only use 600 wet and dry on the mast, And don't sand into the carbon.
Hope this helps
Richard Campbell

Re: Refinishing a carbon fiber a-cat mast [Re: AzCat] #277537
02/11/15 12:11 AM
02/11/15 12:11 AM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 337
Arizona
AzCat Offline OP
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AzCat  Offline OP
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 337
Arizona
I shot it today, 3 coats, looks friggin awesome!!! I havnt gotten it out of the shop yet into direct sunlight, but I have very good lighting in the shop and of looks great. Most of the spots I was worried about came out looking great. I used 2 coats of "Bulldog" first for better adhesion. I can't wait to get the A back on the water now!


Auscat MKV 444 A class
NACRA I-20- 440/CATHATKA

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