Fletching vains is more critical then feathers for me on carbon or aluminum. When I fletch on aluminum I always dip using Bohning prep-rite to clean the arrow. Air dry it and use instant gel by Bohning. Carbons are more sensitive to cleaners,thinners or alcohol. I clean the shaft with soap&water air dry then litely sand to remove any oils. I use instant gel for both vains and feathers. I found feathers to hold much easier then vains on carbons. I'm not sure why but thinners and and alcohol don't work for me on carbons. I use to cotton swob the vains with lac thinner to soften the area of the vain where it contacts the arrow. I found that doesn't work with carbons. It may be a chemical reaction to the carbon or a film it leaves. Hope this helps. JERRY