carbon fiber making

[rolemodel]

Since the winter is beginning and my car is in my garage sleeping i have begun my winter big project and im wondering how to make carbon fiber? I just bought the carbon fiber and the epoxy resin and now im wondering do i juste apply the resin on it or do i have to do the thing like vaccum bag and all? Anybody around here ever done this? i know that someone on the board is making carbon fiber as well so im aking you how to do it so i can continue my big car project.

 

[dsmturboawd]

search man, theres so much info its sick.

 

[Airpoppoff]

search, thers like 10 threads on this

 

[rolemodel]

i did some search on the site and found little information. Anyone know any site other than fiberglast? the boogieman work with carbon fiber as well...can you help me?

 

[LightningGSX]

In general you don't have to vacuum bag, so long as, the resin saturates the CF mat completely and the shape of your project isn't too crazy.Overall quality is better when vacuum bagged though.

 

[Airpoppoff]

have you ever done any type of fiberglass?

 

[rolemodel]

Yes i already did fiberglass...im currently doing a bumper for my eagle talon in fiberglass so i know how to work with fiberglass. I just wanted to know if it was important to use the vaccum bag method on carbon fiber. I knew that the end result is not the same but i was wondering if it does a good job anyway. when i finish my work i will show you the end result.

 

[Airpoppoff]

you got me

 

[sophat34]

the advantage that vacume bagging gives u is the air bubbles arnt there. u dont run in to this problem with fiber glass becasue u arent using it as a cosmetic finish. but with carbofiber, in my case any way, I like the look. if u lay it up wtih out a vac bag u need to work it with a roller very well or get some eat-a-bubble from select products. the bubbles that form are very small, they dont show up till u go to sand it then u end up with little pockets of dust that cant be cleaned out. it just takes a little more time to work with than fiber glass.

 

[dsmturboawd]

99% of the carbon fiber parts you see are not vaccum bagged.

all carbon fiber parts are is fiberglass/etc parts covered in carbon fiber for the look.

i did some search on the site and found little information. Anyone know any site other than fiberglast? the boogieman work with carbon fiber as well...can you help me?

GIMP.

 

[98RedGs]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&find=lastposter&threadid=84148
Talk To Him, He will explain it I'm sure.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5345&highlight=carbon+fiber
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1211&highlight=carbon+fiber




"Use the Search" is not an acceptable response by itself.
Link to the answer and explain how the info can be found, or just move on and say nothing.
Don't give any technical advice unless you have first-hand experience on the subject.



Thank you people for noticing the rules.

Comon now guys! If you know its there help some people sometimes and search for it then post a link... Is it that hard to do?

 

[halik]

Originally posted by dsmturboawd
99% of the carbon fiber parts you see are not vaccum bagged.

all carbon fiber parts are is fiberglass/etc parts covered in carbon fiber for the look.



GIMP.

the really good parts are pressed under vacuum and heated up to 170 degrees to cure. Its not gonna look as good without the vacuum (it ont have that glossy smooth finish).

 

[eclipse17psi]

Sup bro!
the Resin that i used is called Vinyl resin this keeps the resin
turning yellow from the heat. And here's the link that probably that
can help you to get some materials

http://www.shopmaninc.com/

 

[sophat34]

another good resin to use is west systems, they have a hardiner I think its 207 that is designed to be clear when it hardens. select products has a whole line of products for carbonfiber. u can get the shine and gloss out of a non vacume bagged part, clear coat does wonders. it just takes alot more work than using a bag. just an fyi the quality parts that are made from carbon fiber are made from all carbon fiber not just laminated with it.

 

[theboogieman]

Originally posted by rolemodel
i did some search on the site and found little information. Anyone know any site other than fiberglast? the boogieman work with carbon fiber as well...can you help me?

Can't really help ya' too much cuase everyone pretty much hit it on the head. Most parts are not vacumm bagged and yes most carbon fiber parts are backed by fiberglass...but that is standard for most cosmetic parts. All the parts I make are made with carbon fiber only. Some folks think that having fiberglass lessens the quality but actually fiberglass backed on carbon is better than carbon alone.
I have recently switched up my methods and no I do not vacumm bag my parts, although I have vacumm bagged some parts that are in my personal car. If you have the time make molds instead of laminating. It is some work to make the plug, then the mold, then the part BUT a mold will yeild a less work! Alot less finishing work!!!!
Listen to what you read here and you won't go wrong (j/k), get some books and read up on it or go to a composite related forum. There are MANY ways to reach the same result in composites. I have been working with the gentleman that produces the bodies for Chris Rado, Kenny Tran and Angela Proudfoot and the ways to acheive some of this stuff is amazing...lotsa' tricks of the trade!
Don't worry, you'll learn from your mistakes...or go broke trying!
Leo

 

[rolemodel]

When you talk about finishing work. If i laminate and the shape is good is there any finishing touch up that im obligated to do? Can i sand carbon fiber? Because i always thought that the principe of doing carbon fiber was to saturate the fiber with resin and hope for the best. ehhe
With just 1 coat of resin will the finish be smooth or is it suppose to be ruff? How many coat of resin are possible? Can laminate the carbon fiber and after it dry put another coat of resin over it to have a smooth finish?

 

[theboogieman]

...if all you are doing is laminating then yes you will have to use more than one layer of resin...if not the part will be bumpy from the weave. You will have to let it dry and then pour another coat on and let that dry, sand it and pour another coat until it is level and smooth with sanding in between.
Even parts that you laminate can be replacements...just pull it from the OEM part, viola!, carbon replacment.....but seriously, make molds and save yourself the labor and time.
Leo

 

[theboogieman]

..also, do not sand the very first time it dries, just pour some more resin over it....I say this cause if you sand it and hit the fiber with the paper you will ruin the weave and sand it away, so make sure it is coated good before you tackle it!
Leo