Body - Poor Spoiler Appearance
No.: TSB-03-51-003DATE: February, 2003
MODEL: 2003 Lancer Evolution
SUBJECT:
CARBON FIBER SPOILER APPEARANCE CHARACTERISTICS
PURPOSE
This bulletin contains information about appearance characteristics of the carbon fiber spoiler which is optional equipment on the 2003 Lancer Evolution.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The clear-coated surface of the spoiler cross-bar has some appearance characteristics which may concern the purchaser or potential purchaser. The surface of the spoiler can, depending on the way light hits the surface and the angle of viewing, appear to have any or all of the following characteristics:
^ A somewhat wavy appearance
^ A slight shading of the carbon fiber
^ An unevenness, undulation, or roughness
^ Pressure marks
^ Correction marks
^ Bubbling, spotting, or pinholes
^ Reddish or yellowish tint to the clear-coated areas
The appearance characteristics listed above are all conditions which can be considered NORMAL for this type of material. These appearance issues are due to and a feature of the composite structure of the genuine carbon fiber material. These appearance issues are NOT defects and will create no problems relating to reliability, durability, or performance.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
2003 Lancer Evolution equipped with carbon fiber rear spoiler
DETAILS
1. Wavy Surface Appearance
An image reflected onto the carbon fiber surface of the spoiler (such as a paper streamer) may appear wavy or uneven.
The resin coating is applied over the woven carbon, which has an uneven weave, causing the wavy appearance.
2. Shaded/Striped Appearance
Depending on the viewing angle, degrees of reflection and refraction may vary, making the carbon fiber surface appear shaded in a striped pattern.
The resin flow during application over the woven surface can cause this striped/shaded appearance.
3. Undulated Areas and Uneven Appearance of Fibers
UNDULATION/WAVINESS OF FIBERS
The carbon fibers may appear undulated or wavy or rough in spots. This is caused by the right-angle weave of the fiber on the 3-dimensional, curved shape of the spoiler surface.
UNEVEN APPEARANCE OF FIBERS
The fibers may have a partially uneven appearance. This is a characteristic of the fiber when pressure is applied while it is in a dry, smooth state. This uneveness of the fiber has no effect on durability or rigidness.
4. Spotting (Inner Air Bubbles) and Pinholes (Surface Air Bubbles)
SPOTTING (Inner Air Bubbles)
Small air bubbles which are trapped between the weaves of the carbon fiber may be visible. Vacuum equipment is used at the time of manufacture to reduce this occurence, however some of these inner bubbles may be trapped when the resin coating is applied, appearing as small, dark spots on the carbon fiber spoiler surface.
PINHOLES (Surface Bubbles)
A small dent or pinhole may appear on the clear surface resin layer.
As the resin hardens over air captured between the weaves of the carbon fiber, the vacuum equipment pulls the air to the surface causing the pinhole/dent.
5. Fiber Marks (Pressure and Correction)
PRESSURE MARKS
Pressure marks may be visible in the woven carbon weave.
Tools pushing onto the surface of the fiber before resin application may leave a mark visible through the resin. Marks such as this have no effect on durability or rigidness.
CORRECTION MARKS
A dark or black spot may appear on or between the carbon weave.
During the touch-up procedures, spots are filled with resin putty using a color as close as possible to the fiber's color. These touch-up, correction marks may still be visible with close inspection. Marks such as this have no effect on durability or rigidness.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
This bulletin is for information only. No special warranty procedures apply. The carbon fiber rear spoiler should not be replaced under the warranty for any of the normal appearance characteristic conditions described in this bulletin.