Is it possible to...

[Weston]

... turn a piece of matte carbon fibre into gloss carbon fibre?

Wing mirrors are gloss, fog surrounds are gloss, exhaust surround is matte. Ideally I'd like them to match but I can't justify buying a whole new valance although I did get mine really cheap.

[daboy3000]

Laquer?

[Tfsi_Mike]

There was a thread recently showing laqured carbon vinyl

[Weston]

I was thinking laquer or clear wrap but don't want to ruin it experimenting  

There was a thread recently showing laqured carbon vinyl

Do you have a link Mike?

[mkviken]

you can definitely laquer 3M niroc carbon fibre sheeting

[mkviken]

What a pleb.

[vRS_Pagey]

Now, now.......

I have just wrapped my S3 brake pad retaining clips in carbon and clear coated them.

Before -



Not the best pictures, but you get the idea, after -



The lacquered one looks much better in the metal.  

[Weston]

Looks good 

[GTsport]

You can get Gloss Carbon Vinyl from 3m now



Is it just a case of you want to spray the existing with a lacquer coat? Id be inclined to give the gloss wrap a whirl as if it doesnt go to plan, nothing lost nothing gained.

 

[mkviken]

thing is with that is the texture is not smooth like real carbon fibre so if your spray it over you get a smooth shiny finish more realistic

[Weston]

Remember the part I have is real carbon fibre with a matte finish. I just want to give it a gloss finish to match the other parts I have 

[vRS_Pagey]

Personally, I would clear coat the item, then give it a a light sand as trio mentions with 2000-2500 grit, then hit the whole thing with a machine polisher.  More than happy to help you out with that if you are local, but like 99% of all other members you are probably miles away.....................

[Weston]

Cheers are you anywhere near Bath / Bristol by any chance?

[vRS_Pagey]

Cheers are you anywhere near Bath / Bristol by any chance?

As I thought, miles away!  I'm in a village just outside Dover, Kent.   

[dnLcal]

Have been doing alot of this at work lately. Scuffing up the rough side of the carbon with a scotch brite wheel then lacquering. Looks good. Just make sure you clean the carbon of dust with brake cleaner/ acetone etc before spraying. Don't have any pics though unfortunately.

Cal