Dry carbon fiber front fenders have become the preferred accessory for many modified car owners due to their lightweight, strong and textured properties. Compared with ordinary wet carbon fiber and raw plastic, dry carbon fiber is preimpregnated by high temperature, high pressure curing process, the pattern is clearer, hardness is higher, and daily maintenance requirements are higher. Exposure to dust storms, rainwater and ultraviolet light for long periods of time can easily lead to yellowing, tarnishing, minor scratches and resin aging if not properly maintained. Proper daily maintenance not only maximizes the unique matte or glossy texture of carbon fiber, but also significantly extends the service life of accessories. This paper introduces in detail the daily maintenance method of dry carbon fiber front fender.
1, Daily cleaning: essential core to avoid damage.
Daily cleaning is the foundation of carbon fiber mudguard maintenance, its core principle is gentle cleaning, preventing hard matter damage. the front mudguard can be contaminated with mud, rainwater stains, road asphalt, insect corpses and other impurities as it travels. Long-term adhesion corrodes the surface resin and accelerates aging. Do not hit the fender nooks and crannies directly with a water cannon during daily cleaning process. High-pressure water will hit the resin on the carbon fiber surface, causing the resin layer to peel off and turn white over time. It may also seep into the installation gaps, affecting stability of the fixture.
Manual wiping is recommended for daily cleaning. First, gently rinse the surface dust with water, then gently wipe with a neutral car cleaning agent and a soft microfiber towel. For stubborn stains, do not use steel wire, hard pen, sandpaper and other hard polishing, do not use laundry detergent, detergent, strong alkali, strong acid, etc.. The cleaning products corrode the protective resin on the carbon fiber surface, causing paint surface to lose shine, turn yellow and crack. After washing, wipe the surface with a clean towel, paying special attention to corners and crevices to avoid water accumulation and water stains. It is recommended to wash the car every day when cleaning minor stains, serious stains should be dealt with in a timely manner to avoid long-term adhesion and infiltration.
2. Sunscreen againstcorrosion: key to slowing ageing and yellowing
Ultraviolet radiation and external corrosion are the main causes of aging and yellowing of dry carbon fiber mudguards. Carbon fiber itself is highly corrosion resistance, but surface protection resin is an organic material. Prolonged exposure to sunlight causes oxidation reactions, which causes the the mudguard to yellow overall and degrade reduced glossiness, depriving the carbon fiber of its transparent texture. At the same time, the daily use of rainwater water, road fusing agent, bird droppings, tree resin and other substances have certain corrosive, long-term adhesion will damage the surface protection layer.
When parking daily, try to choose underground garages and shade to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. For vehicles parked outdoors for long periods of time, it is recommended that the mudguards protected and maintain regularly. After driving on a wet or muddy road, the vehicle should be cleaned up in time to remove the remaining rainwater and silt from the fender. If inadvertently contaminated by bird droppings, gum, asphalt and other corrosive stains, should be promptly cleaned, wiped, do not wait for dry hardening. Sticking to sun protection and antisepsis can effectively slow the aging of resin layer and prevent mud from turning yellow and aging.
3, Regular maintenance waxing: Lock texture and strengthen protection.
Dry carbon fiber front fenders do not require repair after installation. Regular waxing and sealing are key steps to maintaining the texture of the paint and enhancing protection. Although the new dry carbon fiber mudguard surface has original protective resin, but the long-term use will wear out gradually, the protection performance will decrease obviously. Regular maintenance fills in small pores on the surface, forming a dense protective film that protects against UV rays, dust, moisture and minor friction damage.
Special carbon fiber maintenance wax and auto matte/ car wax should be selected for maintenance. Corresponding products should be selected according to the coating process of the anti-mud agent. Matte models should avoid using polish to prevent the paint surface from becoming sticky and having a messy sheen. Waxing is recommended every 1-2 months. Before waxing, make sure the surface of the plate is clean, dry and stain-free. Apply a thin layer of car wax evenly, leave to dry, then rub gently. When conditions permit, glazing or crystallization can be carried out every six months to further enhance the hardness of surface protection, improve scratch resistance and aging resistance, and maintain the transparency and sophistication of carbon fiber texture.
4, Daily use avoidance: Reduce physical harm.
Dry carbon fiber has high hardness but limited toughness. Severe collisions and hard friction can cause irreversible damage, so it's especially important to avoid details in everyday use. Try to avoid close contact with roadsides, flower beds and obstacles while driving to prevent scratches and bumps that can lead to mudguard cracking, paint peeling and edge chipping. When cleaning, moving or cleaning the vehicle, avoid hitting or rubbing the mudguard surface with a hard object.
At the same time, to prevent the surface of mud plate use of inferior quality adhesive and adhesive. The residue of inferior backing adhesive is difficult to clean, easy to peel off the surface resin during the tearing process, resulting in paint surface damage. If temporary decoration is required, unmarked tape should be used and any remaining adhesive traces should be removed immediately after removal. Minor scratches, if not treated in a timely manner, can gradually spread, affecting the overall appearance. Minor scratches can be repaired by fine polishing and waxing, while deep scratches require professional repair and treatment.
5. Seasonal special conservation: adaptation, long-term protection.
carbon fiber mudguards wear differently depending on the season. Seasonal special maintenance can effectively adapt to changes in the environment, extending its service life. Exposure to high temperatures in summer accelerates the aging of resin layer. To shorten the waxing and maintenance cycle, increase cleaning frequency, avoid long-term residual stains under high temperature; lower winter temperature, resin layer toughness and brittleness. Avoid hard cleaning and collisions. After the rain and snow weather is over, water removal and cleaning should be carried out in time to prevent cryogenic water accumulation from freezing and cracking the surface.
Spring and autumn, there are often dust storms, so regularly clean up cracks and dust, to avoid long-term paint surface friction and wear. Sticking to seasonal maintenance and daily refinement can keep dry carbon fiber front fenders in a completely new state for a long time, providing a steady performance of lightweight performance and high aesthetics without frequent replacement and repair.