It'll buff out right? I don't even know how to fix this. Carbon Fiber roof damaged

[redpriest]

Driving on 580E through Livermore/Dublin and something that looks like a gigantic rock or shoe hits my roof. Was only a blur, but it was large enough that you don't get the "tink" of a rock strike, but a "thump". This is the end result, a 2 inch gouge through the plastic of the carbon fiber reinforced plastic roof. It looks like at least a millimeter of depth with discoloration around it.

[s85e90]

That's clearcoat not plastic. Should be easily fixed by refinishing the roof.

[redpriest]

I hope so. I'll take the DA polisher to it - what worried me was the discoloration.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by redpriest

I hope so. I'll take the DA polisher to it - what worried me was the discoloration.

it might not be perfect, but good enough.

[s85e90]

Good luck but a polish won't help that. You can see the clear is fratured. Just have the roof recleared.

[thekurgan]

If you were driving through Livermore, it's probably a ricochet from a .308

[BzsBimmer]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

If you were driving through Livermore, it's probably a ricochet from a .308

Livermore isn't that bad. Oakland on the other hand...

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Livermore isn't that bad. Oakland on the other hand...

Crazy people go where they aren't expected.

[dmppdx]

I would take that to a professional and get their opinion. It's clearly missing a decent chunk of the resin so unless more resin is added, it going to look horrible. It probably separated to some dgree from the carbon fiber as well.

[JHFW89225]

It doesnt look like the carbon weave is damaged, which is good.

You can most likely do a good bit of polish to clean up the (wound) and once everything is all good, have a professional or do it yourself, apply some clear resin over to fill in the indent. Be sure to use clear resin that is specially made for carbon fiber, with UV cut and everything. After that it might require a bit of wet sanding and polishing to finish it all off.

Ive done it before and if you take the time to do it right, it will look almost perfect.

Good luck!

[RoshDawg]

I'm all about diy paint correction but this is on the level of requiring professional work. It will need removal of a lot of clear coat, so much so that if you don't know what you're doing you may burn into and damage the cf.

[whats77inaname]

Insurance will cover that minus your deductible. Given that, I'd get an estimate @ a reputable repair facility first, then make a decision on what to do.

[W Cole]

That looks like resin to me. I would see how well I could get it by cleaning up the area and filling it in with clearcoat and if not satisfactory look into replacing the roof.

[ThisFlyGuy]

ugh i hate driving on 580E with all those big trucks...that's where most of my rock chips occur too.
hope you can sand down/buff it.

[s85e90]

Originally Posted by W Cole

That looks like resin to me. I would see how well I could get it by cleaning up the area and filling it in with clearcoat and if not satisfactory look into replacing the roof.

The responses here.

[redpriest]

Originally Posted by ThisFlyGuy

ugh i hate driving on 580E with all those big trucks...that's where most of my rock chips occur too.
hope you can sand down/buff it.

It's gotten especially bad with all the construction on adding the toll lane - it's literally taken a toll on my car - I've had to replace the windshield ($700 w/OEM parts, my insurance declined OEM so I just ponied it up) in the past month. No more than two weeks after I've gotten it replaced, *another* crack on my windshield (this one repairable), and now this. Ugh!

[Flea7]

Don't polish it. You have to apply epoxy resin....sand flat.... then polish.

Do a preliminary sanding around the area with fine grit sandpaper. The epoxy resin will settle into the chipped area and fill in areas of weakness. Make sure to you get enough resin for it to dry clear above the surface where it will be level with the outline of the roof. Then, sand and step polish. I would start with meguire #105 compound then 3 part finish polish with Mezerna FP. Then, wax.

I have a 1/2 gallon of resin and hardener because my front carbon lip gets rock chips all the time. When done right the damage is not visible.... if the weave is intact.


It's an easy process if you have done it before and if you have a the compounds and polisher.

Good Luck!

[javarithms]

A bodyshop told me they can't fix that kind of a damage on the carbon fiber. Be curious to find out if they were wrong.

[Flea7]

Originally Posted by javarithms

A bodyshop told me they can't fix that kind of a damage on the carbon fiber. Be curious to find out if they were wrong.

I wouldn't go to that shop. If a shop understand how carbon parts are manufactured they can do it ....if not, you will get that reply. You have to know how to work with epoxy resin.

[s85e90]

Originally Posted by redpriest

It's gotten especially bad with all the construction on adding the toll lane - it's literally taken a toll on my car - I've had to replace the windshield ($700 w/OEM parts, my insurance declined OEM so I just ponied it up) in the past month. No more than two weeks after I've gotten it replaced, *another* crack on my windshield (this one repairable), and now this. Ugh!

Next time ask the dealer who does their glass work and just use them. Pilkington/PGW is an OEM brand w/out the BMW logo.

[Ink09]

I had something like this happen to my roof while driving, mine looked more like a chip than what your does. I took it to a body shop the following day and they had no problem fixing it up. They repeatedly used resin to fill the chip till it was even then cleared it again, they did an excellent job and you can't even tell it was there, I will see if I can find before and after pics. In other words it can be fixed.

[TrevorM3]

Originally Posted by W Cole

That looks like resin to me. I would see how well I could get it by cleaning up the area and filling it in with clearcoat and if not satisfactory look into replacing the roof.

yes, lets risk the structural integrity of the car over a rock chip.




are you stupid?