Does anyone know how to make carbon fiber parts?

[splew]

I was wondering if anyone on here had experience making carbon fiber parts. If so I have a few questions. I know you can make parts by buying sheets of carbon fabric and impregnating them with resin to make a hard part. What kind of resin do you use though? Another thing, is there any way to achieve that smooth glossy appearance without a perfect mold, vacuum bagging and baking? Can not so smooth resin be sanded and sprayed with automotive clear coat to achieve the same results?

Any help/input would be appreciated. Thanks.

[lovecheese]

Wow, talk about a detailed job there. Much more satisfaction out of it!

[heybluguy]

Ive been dyeing to try it for a yr now but dont wanna waste the money on the supplies and then it looks crappy . But i would luv To learn how

[Entarl]

i wanna know to i wanna do my door panels or mabye that matching part by the speed-o tear.

[Asif22]

yea search google and there is a thread on here i think about it but yea you make a mold of the part and then you gotta vacuum it to get it nice and then bake...

[ray]

Vacuum bagging is used more to squeeze the layers together minimizing air pockets and squeezing out the excess resin. The more resin you have they more weight you have and air pockets hurt strength and density. It won't assure a smooth finish, just a tighter lamination and better formed part.

You can sand the result smooth and paint to suite, of couse. I assume you could sand it really smooth, polish, and clear coat but I don't know exactly how good it will work with a lay-it-yourself lamination. I just don't have any experience finishing it to this level.

I don't know exactly what resins are suitable. A friend made a carbon-fiber seat for me at one point 10-15 years ago using vacuum bagging. I wan't aware of it being any special resin when he was making it, but can't say I remember his comments regarding its selection. It's been a while.

[WolfSong]

I believe you have to use the Epoxy Resin as opposed to the normal Polyester Resin.

US Composites have a little bit of info on their website and a few helpful links for the process. CARBON FIBER - GRAPHITE - KEVLAR

[Cr8tive_leo]

Depending on what you want to fabricate will determine the method of fabrication.

If you simply want to overly carbon material over an exsisting piece, then simply place the carbon fibre material over the piece, pour epoxy on it, let it sit and let gravity smooth the surface. fine grit sand, polish and done (that's the quick version). (you can use either Epoxy or Polyester, all up to you, just don't forget the uv protectant)

Google is your friend!

So is Youtube... YouTube - Carbon Fiber overlay on fiberglass

[darkrom]

Where is the best place to find carbon fiber material and the epoxy. This is it I am trying it asap.

[222black08]

Fiberglass, Carbon Fiber - Fibre Glast Developments Corp.

Jamestown Distributors

Fiberglass Supply (Surfboards, Windsurfers, Kayaks, Canoes, Boats , Autos and more)

These three had the best prices for fiberglass/cf when I did some fiberglass work for my friend. Looking at the c/f it gets a bit expensive. As posted above you might want to go fiberglass and overlay with c/f. This eliminates the need to vaccume bag and save some money. However it will not be as stong as all carbon fiber vaccume bagged.

edit: and it really depends what your constructing, you might have to make a mold which adds even more cost. All in all it might be cheaper to buy the c/f part if it's avaible (assuming the part is not a custom housing/enclosure ect.. )

[darkrom]

Would anyone who has done their own overlay PLEASE recommend a starter kit for me to start overlaying my own parts in CF.

If someone could provide direct links to the following things that have worked well for them for overylays and and the best prices they have found. I am REALLY interested in starting to overlay my own parts.

I need a link to the best price epoxy resin, the best price and best choice for the actual carbon fiber for overlaying interior parts, and anything else that I may need.

I have read all about the process I just do not know where to buy from to get the best deal. Please one of you more experienced people help me find the stuff I need to get started. I really really want to do this and would order the parts today if the link could be provided for me since I don't know the best places or prices quite yet.


Thanks a million!

[darkrom]

I dont think that vacuum is needed at all to do a simple overlay, I thought that was just for creating full carbon fiber parts.

Here is why I say that....


"If you simply want to overly carbon material over an exsisting piece, then simply place the carbon fibre material over the piece, pour epoxy on it, let it sit and let gravity smooth the surface. fine grit sand, polish and done (that's the quick version). (you can use either Epoxy or Polyester, all up to you, just don't forget the uv protectant)" That is from a few posts above.

[darkrom]

This is something that I am really committed to learning, so please do not flame me. I wanted to get started on this a long time ago and have been putting it off because I can't get someone to show me where to order so I can start and practice as cheaply as possible. I know the pros know where to find the best deals, so please share so I can just practice overlaying random interior pieces.

[Nomar06]

If you want to just try it out go to ebay and buy a "kit" of CF and resins. I bought one for $80. then you have to buy all the other materials like, measuring cups, stiring sticks and other stuff like that.

I havent had time to actually make or overlay anything yet...

[darkrom]

Originally Posted by Nomar06

If you want to just try it out go to ebay and buy a "kit" of CF and resins. I bought one for $80. then you have to buy all the other materials like, measuring cups, stiring sticks and other stuff like that.

I havent had time to actually make or overlay anything yet...

What did you search for to find it? I REALLY wanna try and practice so this sounds perfect Nomar. I can buy all the other shizzz at sears where my buddy might just give it to me for free. I just don't wanna order the wrong thing and end up with premade carbon fiber with some 3m tape on the back lol.

[222black08]

Learning Center - Fibre Glast Developments

Has a lot of great info. These guys are pretty much the world leader in composite supplies and stuff. Take your time and read through a bunch of the articles there is so much good info on there.

[darkrom]

Nevermind. I found it and bought it lets see if I can actually make anything of it.

Anyone know what to cut the actual carbon fiber cloth with? I am gunna test this on something stupid but how cool will it be if I had a carbon fiber xbox 360 or something ROFL. The case is already off the 360....hmmm haha.

Thanks nomar!!!!

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by darkrom

What did you search for to find it? I REALLY wanna try and practice so this sounds perfect Nomar. I can buy all the other shizzz at sears where my buddy might just give it to me for free. I just don't wanna order the wrong thing and end up with premade carbon fiber with some 3m tape on the back lol.

Carbon Fiber and Epoxy Resin Kit- Do it yourself! - eBay (item 230280272396 end time Aug-20-08 17:54:16 PDT)

[Cr8tive_leo]

Originally Posted by darkrom

Nevermind. I found it and bought it lets see if I can actually make anything of it.

Anyone know what to cut the actual carbon fiber cloth with? I am gunna test this on something stupid but how cool will it be if I had a carbon fiber xbox 360 or something ROFL. The case is already off the 360....hmmm haha.

Thanks nomar!!!!

Scissors.

[darkrom]

Originally Posted by Cr8tive_leo

Scissors.

Just any old scissors though lol? Not like super duper fabric scissors. Just don't wanna mess up. It seems like I always pick the expensive hobbies haha.