Carbon Fibre problem
A couple of weeks before PBP I didn’t like a creak from the bottom bracket on my best bike, a 2016 Genesis Datum. I bought all the kit for changing the pressfit bottom bracket
However, when I took it apart I discovered that hiding behind the chainring was a fairly large hole in the carbon fibre. This was probably the reason for the creak. I immediately switched to prepping my spare bike – I rode PBP on the Specialized Roubaix instead
Why it happened
Probably some chain damage when the chain fell off on the frame side. Also the bolts on the inner chain ring were loose and it’s likely these made contact with the frame
Carbon Fibre fix
Once I had recovered from PBP I set about doing the carbon fibre repair. I already had epoxy putty and a basic carbon fibre repair kit. After doing a bit of research I also got some heat shink tape, a heat gun and a can of clear coat varnish
As the pictures below show the process I went through was
Fill the holes with epoxy putty, allow 24h to set
Sand down the epoxy putty and also remove paint near the hole
Mask off the area around the repair with electical tape and cling film
Clean with rubbing alcohol
Apply the 2 part hardener, wait for it to cure
Apply one layer of carbon fibre fabric
More 2 part hardener and another layer of carbon fibre fabric
Cover repair area with heat shink tape
Use heat gun on heat shrink tape
Wait 24h
Remove heat shrink tape
Sand down sharp points and irregularities
Mask repair area again
Clean with rubbing alcohol
Apply 3 layers of clear coat at 15 minute intervals
Wait 24h
Remove masking
stick on piece of old tin can with Sugru to protect area where damage occurred
- chain rub plate from tin
- The damage
- epoxy putty
- Epoxy Filler as it was done
- filler sanded, masking for CF
- after CF repair is set
- applying clear coat
- with clear coat
- sugru to stick tin
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