[ibmc]

So, my new M4 arrived almost a month ago, and I spend a lot of time slowly cleaning it up (asked dealer to only remove the white protective film) bought all the washing and detailing supplies, watched videos etc...and I guess I should have learned a bit more about the CF roof. Its not like its new to me, I had a 2018 M4, and it remained perfect for 3+ years.
I got clay bars and used clay luber after washing the car, making sure it was perfectly clean, but it left a ton of scratches. My fault, but now I need to fix it. I tried fine polish/polish pads with an orbital polisher, but the scratches remain. So, looking for some expertise (not opinion) on if this can be fixed, and how to best go about it. If its the same clear coat as the paint, do I just go a bit more aggressive on the compound? Last option would be to take it to someone, but there are limited options where I live.

[Soylent]

Glad I didn't try that yet. Maybe some of the detailing oriented members here?
@luckylingy

[Bumper2Bumper]

We have restored some pretty bad, old carbon fiber. Wet sanding and polishing should bring it back to new condition. But of course, wet sanding is not for the feint of hart and I wouldent try it for the first time on your carbon roof.

[Former-Mopar]

Originally Posted by Temp_Definitive

We have restored some pretty bad, old carbon fiber. Wet sanding and polishing should bring it back to new condition. But of course, wet sanding is not for the feint of hart and I wouldent try it for the first time on your carbon roof.

What's the best way to keep it clean and scratch free?

[Myangdue]

Originally Posted by Former-Mopar

What's the best way to keep it clean and scratch free?

I would say get it professionally detailed and put ppf on it so that you dont have to worry about getting the scratches

[Bumper2Bumper]

Yes PPF or ceramic coating, specifically 9H like ceramic Pro.

[ibmc]

any other experts out there? Have not seen any helpful comments.

[merlin3008]

So lesson number one of clay is to use plenty of lube. The work isn't done by friction against the paint. That being said, I do not think you need to go to wet sanding yet. treat it just like any other clear-coated surface and use increasingly aggressive measures until you have the right level. When polishing, less is usually more. I would try some more aggressive polishes first if you are conference enough with your rotary. Use a moderate cutting pad and go to a medium polish. If that doesn't help, go to an aggressive cutting pad and a polish like Meguiars 105 or 110. Good luck!

[FISH22]

I have gone somewhat aggressive on my carbon roof with polishing… orange pad, abrasive polish and orbital. This was to get some water spots out. Worked well, and I didn't have to follow up with a finer polish or less aggressive pad.

I guess what I'm getting at… what pads and polish were you using? How many passes? Setting on orbital? Pressure applied? Your original post is a bit vague.

Pro tip: clay barring is a gentle process, with lots of lube (that's what she said). No need to rub the surface hard or make multiple passes.

[ibmc]

lots of Chemical guys Clay luber + clay bar is what put the scratches on it, a light cleaning with the clay bar, not much pressure. Maybe it picked up some contamination, but I was very thorough in my pre cleaning. I finished with fine pad and fine polish, but that did not remove the scratches. Maybe too fine.

[FISH22]

Originally Posted by ibmc

lots of Chemical guys Clay luber + clay bar is what put the scratches on it, a light cleaning with the clay bar, not much pressure. Maybe it picked up some contamination, but I was very thorough in my pre cleaning. I finished with fine pad and fine polish, but that did not remove the scratches. Maybe too fine.

Yeah I'd give a go with an orange pad & more aggressive polish. Like I said, I did this on my roof, and it made it look spectacular. No follow-on/finishing polish needed.

Utilized Griots orange pad (3") w/their compound polish (white).

[ibmc]

Thanks All.... I talked to my Xpel PPF/Tint installer, they have a guy that does paint correction who will take a look at it, they are not a detailing shop, but at minimum they can advise me on the best path forward. One suggestion over the phone was to PPF the roof, and the bottom sticky side would fill in any fine scratches. Will see what their expert says.

[MassComp]

Now I'm paranoid about applying PPF to my carbon fiber roof since all the installers in my area do some sort of "paint correction" to the surface first before applying the PPF....

I've clay bared many of my new vehicles myself over the years, usually using a Meguiar’s Smooth Surface Clay kit, and I've never scratched the clearcoat. How exactly could a clay bar scratch the carbon fiber roof?

Did you drop the clay on the ground and re-use it? Is the surface coating on the carbon fiber roof softer than the clearcoat on the painted surfaces?

[ibmc]

Originally Posted by MassComp

Now I'm paranoid about applying PPF to my carbon fiber roof since all the installers in my area do some sort of "paint correction" to the surface first before applying the PPF....

I've clay bared many of my new vehicles myself over the years, usually using a Meguiar’s Smooth Surface Clay kit, and I've never scratched the clearcoat. How exactly could a clay bar scratch the carbon fiber roof?

Did you drop the clay on the ground and re-use it? Is the surface coating on the carbon fiber roof softer than the clearcoat on the painted surfaces?

no

[barryc365]

Seems very strange, it's not like a brand new car would even have that much dirt to be clay'd

Seems like the clay got contaminated some how

I'm sure a detailer can buff it out unless you picked up some rocks in the clay or something crazy

Any pics of the scratches?

[chicagofan00]

Originally Posted by MassComp

Now I'm paranoid about applying PPF to my carbon fiber roof since all the installers in my area do some sort of "paint correction" to the surface first before applying the PPF....

I've clay bared many of my new vehicles myself over the years, usually using a Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay kit, and I've never scratched the clearcoat. How exactly could a clay bar scratch the carbon fiber roof?

Did you drop the clay on the ground and re-use it? Is the surface coating on the carbon fiber roof softer than the clearcoat on the painted surfaces?

Got full PPF on my carbon roof and there were zero issues.

Originally Posted by barryc365

Seems very strange, it's not like a brand new car would even have that much dirt to be clay'd

Seems like the clay got contaminated some how

I'm sure a detailer can buff it out unless you picked up some rocks in the clay or something crazy

Any pics of the scratches?

New vehicles can have a ton of contamination due being at the rail yard, on the rail cars, then on the ships, and then on the open transport trucks. Especially given how long some of these cars have been sitting at the ports awaiting a ship or parts.

[BzsBimmer]

As others have stated, always start with the least aggressive method and work up.

For me, when I clay, I learned to buy a large block and cut it into smaller pieces and dispose of them after each “section” as to reduce possible contamination marring other sections or panels. Also if you drop it, it’s easier to toss out a smaller piece than the whole bar.

Also work the roof in sections so you can see the progress of each pass. Don’t overcorrect or you can burn off the clear and make it worse. Use a good light to see and remove fine scratches and any holograms.

And yes, new car paint is notoriously dirty with contamination due to its shipping journey and such.