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Looking to replace my center OEM front splitter carbon trim piece if anyone has a lead on where one might be available. As usual the dealer price for this tiny trim piece is ridiculous. Here is pic of piece I am looking for
Looking to replace my center OEM front splitter carbon trim piece if anyone has a lead on where one might be available. As usual the dealer price for this tiny trim piece is ridiculous. Here is pic of piece I am looking for
I was looking for one some time ago, and I agree, the price is ridiculous. From what I could gather, the original part is made by www.3c-carbon.com but they only sell to car manufacturers. I couldn't find an aftermarket replacement; I'm not sure if one even exists. The only option I found was a replacement for the entire front face.
Looking to replace my center OEM front splitter carbon trim piece ...
If it's just the chip-damage shown in the photo, you may be able to repair it. I've done this on a couple of spots with AMG carbon fiber, though they didn't look quite as damaged as those in your picture. The key is whether the fiber-glassing/epoxy resin will soak into "all the little crevices" around the damaged areas. If it does (and assuming the underlying fiber mat wasn't deformed), then it'll "go clear" again. Applying multiple coats of resin to fill all the divots will likely be necessary. Careful fine-grit wet-sanding followed by some buffing will get it looking like new.
I've done many fiber-glassing type of projects over the years and, for the past 15 or so years, have used Silvertip resin by System Three. It's specifically designed to be very "wet" so it wells into every little crevice (via capillary pressure). It's pricey, but worth it. I have some items where it's lived in the outdoors for more than a decade and is surviving well. For a buffing compound, I've used Meguiars 105 and 205 compounds.
If you try a repair, it'd be interesting to know the outcome.
If it's just the chip-damage shown in the photo, you may be able to repair it. I've done this on a couple of spots with AMG carbon fiber, though they didn't look quite as damaged as those in your picture. The key is whether the fiber-glassing/epoxy resin will soak into "all the little crevices" around the damaged areas. If it does (and assuming the underlying fiber mat wasn't deformed), then it'll "go clear" again. Applying multiple coats of resin to fill all the divots will likely be necessary. Careful fine-grit wet-sanding followed by some buffing will get it looking like new.
I've done many fiber-glassing type of projects over the years and, for the past 15 or so years, have used Silvertip resin by System Three. It's specifically designed to be very "wet" so it wells into every little crevice (via capillary pressure). It's pricey, but worth it. I have some items where it's lived in the outdoors for more than a decade and is surviving well. For a buffing compound, I've used Meguiars 105 and 205 compounds.
If you try a repair, it'd be interesting to know the outcome.
Yeah the visible surface isn't too bad, it cracked pretty good underneath that area where some road debris kicked up and bounced of it causing the damage. I'm with you, I think repairing it may be the cost effective option. I can't solely on principal pay $1,500 to the stealership for such a tiny trim piece. I'll replace it with an aftermarket center splitter before I pay that.
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