Carbon Fiber repair

Anyone know anyone out here that does it? My son’s E39 M5 had a Vorsteiner Carbon Fiber Hood. They don’t make them anymore, but evidently they are the best ones that were made for this model car. I sold it to a guy that wants to repair the slight cracks it had on the edge, and his first couple auto body shops said they don’t work on carbon fiber?

Any suggestions?

 

I've used Calfee in the past for bicycles. You could give them a call and ask for a recommendation.

Failing that, there are a few options via da googz and some local to you (e.g., Santa Ana, etc.)

 

Thank you for the Calfee suggestion. Will pass it along.

 

Maybe try a boat yard that does fiberglass repair.

 

Try carbon smith?
https://carbon-smith.com/shop/ols/all

 

If you're further up the Coast I've had these guys do some work before.

https://carbonsolutionsrepair.com/

VERY small shop. Personable and reasonable.

I hope the hood is painted. On any carbon repair it will be nearly impossible to match the weave size, direction, and distortion. There are techniques to disguise the repair, but paint is best.

-Tom

 

is the carbon itself damaged or is it just the gelcoat?

 

Thank you, and yes it is a painted hood.

I will try and shrink the pictures I took and post them here. I think it is probably both, but it is pretty minor and I'm not knowledgeable on carbon. If it were fiberglass, I would just lay some matt and resin over it, sand it, and repaint.

Edit: The first picture if you look 1/2 down the right side on the edge you will see the bad spot. Second picture is close up of bad spot and third picture is to show it is a dual layer hood

 

Wrong coast but I've used these guys. https://exoticcargear.com/carbon-fi..._9a3YOBt6GDSNRUsqdaIwwiz2WOfiUeARRoMxgf1biJW-

 

Tannermatic.com is pretty damn good with the stuff if New England isn't a hurdle.

 

I have a friend in the carbon composites business. Does all this type of repairs, moulding, race car seats, bodywork and more. Business is on Long Island. If interested I can reach out. He is not a painter though.

 

Carbon pretty much is fiberglass with slightly different properties. They're both used in exactly the same way, captured in resin.

Since the hood isn't structural (where damaged) you shouldn't need a specialist. A good body prep and paint guy will save you a bunch of money and maybe even out the rest of that surface finish (cringe!).

-T

 

You could find out what facility Cortez is currently in and see if they can take any arts and crafts projects.

 

Rob. Maybe ask the guys at pacific German. They’re down your way. I doubt they do it but might know where to send it. With GMG relocating their shop to thermal, I know a bunch of guys that have been going to pacific.

 

I know two guys who can handle it but they are both east coast, and boutique type shops so probably not a good fit- shipping that thing would not make it cost effective.

IF it's going to be painted, it's no big deal, probably any composites guy could do it. But I see the underside is carbon look so that's probably out. It's tough to make a good repair, they need to vacuum bag the whole thing, align the weave, etc.

 

Thank you! I was trying to think of the shop's name and couldn't. Pacific German is great and I'd be surprised if they didn't have a local recommendation. Great shop.

 

I will say I've never heard of Pacific German or GMG Racing, thanks for the referrals.

 

Try a boat place, a lot of carbon and composites used for the fast ones.

I think Teague is out your way (just ask them who they would use) https://teaguecustommarine.com/

 

Have you tried using an M-Sport sticker? Those add HP too

 

It the weave isn't damaged you are basically repairing resin. Give the cracks a little bevel sand down to the weave, fill them with a good clear resin and then sand flush and polish. I had to do a couple repairs to the GT4 seats where the rub on the roll cage when they are adjusted backwards to get out of the car.