Can You Repair Carbon-Fibre Panels?
Posted on: 7 May 2020
Automobile manufacturers want to make sure that their vehicles are efficient, strong and as easy to drive as possible. Their engineers are always on the lookout for new solutions and, specifically, materials that will allow them to achieve their goals within budgetary parameters. In recent years, this has led to the inclusion of 'space-age' materials like carbon fibre or Kevlar, especially when building high-end vehicles. Yet does this present a problem if you are unfortunate enough to have a crash? Can an auto shop repair these carbon-fibre panels, or will you need to replace them?
New Approach
Carbon fibre is a very different material to steel or aluminium and requires an unusual approach to manufacture. Typically, it will take longer to produce each panel this way, although the end result may tend to be lighter and much stronger than its traditional counterpart.
Certainly, a panel beater will be able to repair even the worst damage to the average steel or aluminium panel. The technique is well known, the costs predictable and the timeframe acceptable.
Carbon-Fibre Complexity
However, there is a lot more to carbon-fibre repair, and the technician may require special tools and materials. If the damage is extensive, they will have to work out if it is possible to repair without leaving any trace, and this is not always possible. Certainly, it may be feasible to repair the outward-facing side of a panel and leave no sign of the work, but the rearward side may be a different story. This approach may be okay if you are talking about a front wing, as the rear part of the panel will be hidden once they've reattached it. It may not be acceptable, however, in the case of a boot panel, where both sides can be visible when it is open.
Crafting a Path Forward
If you have suffered extensive damage and many of the carbon-fibre panels on the vehicle require some TLC, you will need to ask for an assessment first. Determine how much it would cost to replace some of these panels, and the more complex they are, the higher the price may be. Then, determine if the technician can use their skill to repair the necessary parts to a standard that is acceptable to all concerned. Remember, the technician will always err on the side of caution and will ensure that you are fully satisfied with the finished job.
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