Ever happened that you saw a design on carbon fiber somewhere and you feel like you want the design for yourself, exactly like that one. Well, what if I tell you that you can get it yourself! All you need to do is know how to paint carbon fiber.
Clean the carbon fiber surface properly. Then, take epoxy paint mixed with paint reducer in a spray gun which is set at 30 PSI speed. Now spray over the surface to ensure even paint. Finally apply clear coat for the best result.
If you know really a little bit about painting carbon fiber,no worries! I’m here to help you get started. You can easily paint on a carbon fiber surface with a paint sprayer. And to work like a professional you need some additional tools and follow some techniques as well.
In this article, I am going to tell you about those tools and techniques so that you get a nicely finished result on carbon fiber. So, let’s start painting.
Also Read: Clear Coat over Latex Paint Reviews
Can You Paint Carbon Fiber?
To answer the question in a straightforward way: yes, you can paint carbon fiber. And there might be various ways of doing it. But keep in mind that when you are trying to paint carbon fibers, it’s not like painting any regular surface.
This is because carbon fibers are made from natural polymers. And carbon fiber is a material that tends to absorb the paint very fast. So, you need to keep that in mind in order to paint the surface nicely.
You need to keep your paint application even and smooth as well. This will prevent the surface from getting unpleasant crosshatch patterns here and there after the paint dries.
What Paint to Use on Carbon Fiber?
As painting a carbon fiber surface is different from painting any regular surface, choosing the right type of paint is necessary. Generally speaking, epoxy paints are suitable for carbon fiber surfaces. But other types of paint might work as well.
And the best thing to do is before you start painting any surface get some clear ideas about the surface itself and the paint suitable for it. If you are painting a carbon fiber surface and you are using paint made for plastic surfaces, you might not get a satisfactory result.
So, for a carbon fiber surface, you should check the surface recommendation of the paint first. By doing that, you will be able to choose the right kind of paint for the surface.
Do You Need Primer for Carbon Fiber?
If we are talking about carbon fiber bike parts or frames, priming them depends on three scenarios.
- If the surface is just raw carbon fiber, you will need to use a carbon primer.
- On the other hand, if the surface you want to use primer is already prepared and contains the original factory paint then you are excused.
- And the last case is if the frame has both; some paint and exposed raw metal then you should use primer on the entire surface.
Can You Spray Paint over Carbon Fiber?
Yes, you can spray paint over a carbon fiber surface. If you are painting a surface like a carbon fiber hood, you can use a good spray gun to apply the paint. With your true spray painting skills, you will be able to apply the paint evenly to the surface.
How Do You Prepare Carbon Fiber for Painting?
When working with a carbon fiber surface like a car hood, you need some prep to achieve a professional quality finish. To make the surface ready to apply the spray paint, you need to do the following:
Sanding: The first thing you need to do is sanding the surface properly. For a carbon fiber hood: first, you can use 500-grit sandpaper on a disk sander. And to help in sanding the surface better, using an interface pad is recommended.
Now, there might be some hard-to-reach areas on the hood surface. To deal with them, spray a little bit of water on the surface and sand using wet sandpaper with a fine, 800-grit. This will give advantages to paint adhesion. After sanding, let the surface dry.
Taping Off: It’s time to tape off all the areas you don’t want to apply the paint.
Removing the Sanding Residue: To make sure the paint sticks to the surface better, it’s always a smart idea to remove the dust and debris from the surface you are going to paint.
To clean the surface properly, you can use a grease and wax remover. Spray some remover on the surface and wipe it off using a cloth. This will remove everything from the surface.
Applying Adhesion Promoter: This one is for better paint adhesion. It’s simple; just apply the promoter using the spray gun directly on the surface. You may need to use multiple coats. Before applying the promoter, cleaning the surface with a tag cloth is recommended.
Taping Off Again: If the hood needs further masking, do it before you start to paint the surface.
How to Paint Carbon Fiber: Step by Step
There might be different ways of painting a carbon fiber surface but spray painting is definitely an easy way of doing it. We are going to dive into the step-by-step process of how to paint carbon fiber hood using a paint sprayer. First, you need to gather some supplies.
Things you will need:
- Paint sprayer
- Desired paints
- Basecoat reducer
- Clearcoat
- Protective mask
After collecting all the supplies, you are ready to go.
Step 1: Painting the Surface with Paint
It’s time to focus on the paint. To make it thin and suitable for the spray gun, you need to mix it with the paint reducer. Mix them well. While pouring the paint on the spray cup, you can use a filter to remove any unnecessary particles from the paint.
Wear a safety mask. And before applying the paint, clean the surface with a tag cloth again. Now, set the pressure of the spray gun around 30 PSI and start painting. The pressure might vary depending on your projects or the spray gun. Cover the whole surface evenly.
You may need to apply multiple coats. Make sure you give enough time between each coat to allow the paint to sit properly. After the final coat is done, let the paint dry properly to make it ready for applying the clear coat.
Step 2: Applying the Clear Coat
Take a medium solid clear coat, measure it in a cup. You should use medium solids (MS) if you want the surface to cure in just a day or so. Okay, now pour it into the spray cup.
Wear a protective mask. Trust me you don’t want to breathe in the toxic fumes. Now cover the surface properly. You can set the pressure around 30 PSI. In this stage, you can seek help from an expert.
It may require multiple coats. If it does, give enough time between each coat. After the final coat dries, you are all done with the carbon fiber surface.
How to Paint Carbon Fiber Bike?
If you are thinking of how to paint a carbon fiber bike frame, this section is for you. The process is a little bit different than a carbon fiber paint job in a car. But no worries! Let’s get started. First, you need to collect some supplies.
Here is what you will need:
- Degreaser cleaner
- Sponges
- Sandpaper
- Tape
- Shop towel
- Epoxy paints
- Clearcoat
- Safety equipment; gloves, protective mask, goggles
Step 1: Removing the Grease
First, you need to remove the grease and oil from the bike frame. To do that, use a degreaser cleaner to wash the frame. A dishwashing liquid will do the job as well. Remember to use warm water because it cuts through the sticky grease and oils better. Using cold water is not recommended.
Allow the frame to dry properly. To remove the excess moisture and accelerate the process, you can use shop towels. But using old clothes is not recommended as their fiber may get stuck into the frame and ultimately damages the paint.
Step 2: Sanding
After the frame is dry, it’s time to sand it. But before you start to sand, don’t forget to put tape over the unwanted parts of the frame. You can use painter’s tape for this.
Now use sandpaper with 220-grit for this process or you can choose finer grits as well. Also, you can use dry or wet sandpaper, it’s up to you. But keep in mind that we are sanding the frame to prepare it for better paint adhesion not necessarily removing the old paint from the frame. So, sand down the surface lightly.
After sanding, remove all the remaining dust and debris to prepare it for further steps.
Step 3: Place the Frame for Painting
You can simply spray the paint on the frame as normal. But there is an easier way where you can save time.
You can just hang the frame on a strong wire and apply the paint. In this manner, you can spray the paint on both sides of the frame without waiting for the paint to dry one side before applying the paint on the other side of the frame.
Step 4: Painting the Frame
If you are a beginner, painting the frame with automotive or appliance epoxy paint is enough. Don’t go for epoxy paints which need heat sealing.
Before starting to paint, put on your safety gear. Now, grab the paint can and start spraying using long strokes. Make sure you keep the can around 6 to 10 inches away from the frame and spray the paint evenly.
You may need multiple coats. If required, give the paint enough time to sit properly before adding another coat.
Step 5: Let the Frame Rest
After the final satisfactory coat, let the paint dry properly. Follow the drying time provided by the paint manufacturer.
Step 6: Applying Clear Coat
Finish the painting job by applying a clear coat over the paint. It may need multiple coats. Everything should dry properly before adding a further layer of the clear coat.
Step 7: Buffing and Polishing
Complete the project by buffing and polishing the frame.
Conclusion
Carbon fiber, a strong and lightweight material that is being used in our day-to-day products. Especially in sports products from golf clubs to bike frames. As they are very common now, painting them as DIY or professional projects is also becoming a common thing.
Keeping this guide in mind, you can easily paint over carbon fiber surfaces. So, grab the paint sprayer and start turning regular carbon fibers to masterpieces.
