Carbon Care

[giantbikeboy]

Hi all,  Well the 4500 frame I bought on ebay finally showed up. Two and a half weeks to travel 2000 miles. It looks to be in good shape, no cracks or deep scratches. It looks a bit "faded" around the edges though. My question is what products are safe to use on the carbon that will bring back some of that "new" look? Also the stickers have a few tears in them and they are starting to crack slightly. Is there anywhere to get new stickers? Should I remove them or just live with them? I would like to keep the appearance as original as possible.

Also any input on the rear shock would be helpful. It seems to work. It rebounds on its own with the spring removed. The model number is hard to make out though. NR MTB or M18 or M1B?? It has both compression and rebound damping??

I'll try to get some decent picture up soon.

Thanks        Bruce

[Wankel]

Look forward to seeing the pics . I have in the past used standard automotive products that are designed for UV protection. The sun is NOT your friend! I have had REAL good luck with " 303 " http://www.303products.com/main.php?infopage=protectant . Not to direct you to one specific product - I just know it works. And, anything that can be trusted on some of our CF aircraft can be trusted on my CF bike - car parts etc. (IMO) and it's NOT Silicone based. Just use SOME sort of UV protection on your CF. But make SURE you don't plan to paint the frame or clear coat it later. Silicone types of products do NOT like to come off or out of CF very easy- and anything like paint or clearcoats will not adhere to items that have been treated with like products (Armor All, etc..) without some serious cleaning efforts that MAY hurt your CF in the end if your try and clean them to that extent. Most of us don't paint our CF - but some do, and I just wanted to throw that out there.
 As for the decals, I'm sure someone on here will chime in. I've had some done for other items I own by a local company that just scanned the orig. ones and made new ones for me. I'm sure you could do the same near you - decal businesses seem to be willing to work with a customer to get what they want (Well, most here do).

Take care, Good luck.
-Wankel

Hi all,  Well the 4500 frame I bought on ebay finally showed up. Two and a half weeks to travel 2000 miles. It looks to be in good shape, no cracks or deep scratches. It looks a bit "faded" around the edges though. My question is what products are safe to use on the carbon that will bring back some of that "new" look? Also the stickers have a few tears in them and they are starting to crack slightly. Is there anywhere to get new stickers? Should I remove them or just live with them? I would like to keep the appearance as original as possible.

Also any input on the rear shock would be helpful. It seems to work. It rebounds on its own with the spring removed. The model number is hard to make out though. NR MTB or M18 or M1B?? It has both compression and rebound damping??

I'll try to get some decent picture up soon.

Thanks        Bruce

[shovelon]

Yeah, what he said.

Sounds like your shock is in good shape. If it rebounds without the spring, then the nitrogen charge is still there. Go use it.

As for finish, I use Maguires plastic polish.

Terry

[giantbikeboy]

Hi All

I posted a few pictures in my gallery. They don't show the fading all that well but it's really sunny today and now it forces me to ride.
I have some Meguiar's I'll give a try.

I have a Manitou Black Platinum fork I might try on this bike. I also have the Swinger 3 way on my EVO that will probably fit as well. By the way, what is the rear wheel travel on these frames?

Thanks.     Bruce

[Matno]

By the way, what is the rear wheel travel on these frames?

Approximately 2.7 x the shock stroke length. Therefore, for a stroke length of 2", you should get 5.4" of rear travel. It's not completely linear, but that number is within a few hundredths for most normal travel ranges...

[Old Proflexer]

i used to spit polish my 4500's, but then the bike looked like all those lifted, big tired, 4x4's with chromed rims that have never been off road a day in their existence - all show and no go.

the best protection for your carbon?  a thin layer of sundried mud, splattered all over the bike, shock cover, top and down tubes, under the bottom bracket and leave just enough room in the swingarm for tire clearance.

i have found that over the years, this will protect your bike about as well as anything -
those that ride will know and envy you and those that don't, won't understand.
(and you shouldn't care what they think anyway)

jmho -

OP

[kiwi]

Of course,everyone kno mud packs are the business!
and when its time for a wash the CF bikes can stand a dunking in a creek better than their riders ...OP?