Hey I was reading up in Corvette quarterly how the paint that coats the carbon fiber pieces on the zr1 costs something like $60,000 a gallon. Is this true or am i just crazy because that is insane!
although it's a nice visual cue, I say skip it and put the money somewhere else. After I thought about it, is BMW doing the same thing with the new M3 since it has exposed CF roof? If it does, I hadn't heard anything about them using the same additive.
although it's a nice visual cue, I say skip it and put the money somewhere else. After I thought about it, is BMW doing the same thing with the new M3 since it has exposed CF roof? If it does, I hadn't heard anything about them using the same additive.
I thought I heard it was a necessary thing, or else the panel/material would deteriorate with time under the sun. Could be wrong though!
Provided my above statement is true, maybe BMW *is* doing the same, but they chose to enphasize a different part of their car, instead of talking about some silly paint or clearcoat
All of the best clear coats have a UV protectant in them . Thats what separates them from a cheaper clear coat. The cheaper ones have none. I just bought DBU clear from PPG for my 70 GTO project because it has UV protection and it was quite a bit more money than others with none. I'm sure the ZR! stuff is super UV for that price! Now living in South Florida I see how the sun kills everything that isn't protected down here. So I'm quite sure the Carbon fiber would deteriorate after some time.
All carbon fiber has some kind of coating. There's the good stuff and the stuff that yellows with exposure. I doubt the M3's roof will yellow - they wouldn't cut corners like that.
Exposed CF has to be protected from the full spectrum of UV light; A, B & C modes in the UV spectrum or else it will break down the fibers AND the resin will delaminate and degrade as well.
Here's a clarification of the costs associated with the Carbon Fiber clear coat on the new ZR1
The full spectrum UV blocker used in the clearcoat is Nano-technology based.
The Nano technology base IS $60,000.00 per gallon.
When the Nano-technology full spectrum UV blocker base is added and mixed with the appropriate clearcoat it produces a full spectrum UV blocker clearcoat which is $2,000.00 per gallon.
About 1/2 gallon of the nano-technology full spectrum UV blocker clearcoat is used to finish a ZR1 roof. Thus the net cost to paint a ZL1 roof is about $1,000.00 per vehicle.
It will be interesting to see what a body shop repair bill will be if there is any damage to the CF roof panel. I just wonder if a body shop will be able to buy the clearcoat in 1/2 gallons. I would also wonder if some body shops will cheat and use a non UV blocker clearcoat. I,m sure the insurance Co's will possibly try and force them to use a less expensive clearcoat. SO....if your roof panel gets damaged and is repairable; pay close attention to how it is repaired and varify that the correct clearcoat is being used in the repair.
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However the part about 2 quarts of clear being used to paint the top of a ZR1 is very hard to believe. Even one quart would be a lot. What is your source of this information?
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Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.
However the part about 2 quarts of clear being used to paint the top of a ZR1 is very hard to believe. Even one quart would be a lot. What is your source of this information?
After reducer and hardener you almost have double the original amount. That depends on the ratio 3;1;1 or 4;1;1. Two quarts of clear could do almost a whole car!
It might be expensive but after seeing the ZR1 in person twice now (both cars were the dark grey color), the clear coated carbon fibre looks awesome and is a nice touch to what is supposed to be a "Supercar". I'd pay a few thousand more to have it on my 427 for sure if I had the option. Just my opinion of course...and photos don't do it justice.
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Del
08 Z06 427 #011 NCM delivery 5/1/08
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