Skich

iTrader: (4)

I finally had some free time so I finished my carbon fiber interior for the most part. I actually wrapped 2 since I had the time. The pile of parts just need to be clear coated and they will be ready to go, looking just as good as the parts that are completly done. Hopefully the car will look good with these parts and a new paint job.

vel525

iTrader: (4)

wow that's a lot of CF. not my taste to have so much, but it looks good. take some pics when it's all put together.

SuperRotorMan

ever think bout doing that for an FC? if so give me a holla

sonix7

Skich, looks like you have been busy. A word of advice from someone that knows first hand. You need to get that resin sanded down smooth where there is no dips and contours, without going into the weave. You need some 220 - 400 grit wet/dry sand paper and go to the sink and sand until its smooth, be very careful. The reason I say this is because it looks really wavy, a lot of people commented on my early pieces about the same thing. My wavyness was not as bad but it still doesn't look good. Its part of learning how to do this right. I know you have spent a lot of time and money so I thought I would help out. Also what happened with the resin where it looks green in areas, is that just the pics? Also you need to make sure that the cloth is pressed against the piece as much as possible, otherwise on the first hot day that is going to bubble and crack, and may come right off. Thats where vacuum bagging is a superior tecnique for laminating composites. Also did you prep good? I have to prep my pieces extensively to insure that does not happen, especially on plastic. Here is what you want things to look like. good luck! I have done at least over 50 parts in the last 4 months, and have tons more going. I hope this helps you out.

Herblenny

iTrader: (13)

Damn JASON!!! YOU ARE THE MAN with this CF stuff! Can't wait to get some parts back!!

PHIL

sonix7

Thanx for the kind words, I am no where near where I want to be with this, but you have to start somewhere. Phil has been so patient, he sent me three boxes full of stuff. I have had to do so much to evolve to this point but I think it will all pay off. Here is his parts before buffing and polishing. Some are in stage two!! This will give an idea of why I have been so busy, not even mentioning my own ride.

PDViper77

iTrader: (9)

^^^ Looks hella nice

Skich

iTrader: (4)

Yea I think the pictures just make them look wavy because they are very smooth. Thats why the load of parts in the back look so bad... they have all been sanded..... Thanks for the advice.

Seth1884

i heard that carbon fiber is a pain in the butt to lay is that true? or is it pretty much like fiberglassing? lookin sharp by the way! cant wait to see a finished product.

KeloidJonesJr.

iTrader: (8)

Door handles are cool, but everything else is eh?

Skich

iTrader: (4)

Its kind of like fiberglassing but a little bit different. Its hard to get it very tight and to deal with the little bubbles in the epoxy but other then that its very similar. It still takes a lot of time (and money) to get it right but I like it and the parts look amazing. They should look very nice on a blue car..... I will post pics when I am done with the project.

sonix7

My personal feeling is that to learn this and to actually pull it off to show quality, is one of the hardest things I have ever done. In Carbon Fiber composite fabrication there are so many variables that need to be perfect otherwise you will waste tons of time and money. I could teach you everything I know and you still would not be able to pull off a perfect part. I have spent thousands of dollars learning this from scratch, setting up the facilities, and investing uber amounts of time and I am just alright. I am far from where I plan to be. There is a very good reason why not alot of people know how to do this. We are talking "SHOW QUALITY", when I say that, I mean perfect contour and adhesion of the cloth, I mean the perfect sanding rituals to shape the part and not look bubbled, wavy, uneven, whatever you want to call it. The biggest enemy is air bubbles in the resin, if you have them it looks like ****. I have taken care of that, but it took a very special process and inconjunction with each other in order to achieve those results and that doesn't mean I eliminated them completely, sometimes its just impossible. The finishing and clearcoating is a whole nother science, ask any body shop guy. So if you have an extreme knack for picking things up with little to no formal training, have countless hours of time to dedicate, a deep expendable allowance, patience, drive, and most importantly the "right" equipment. Then go for it. I sought out a formal training center that offered a 6 month course for composite fabrication, they clearly stated that the majority of trained students take any where from 3-6 months after training to pull off production quality parts. I somehow have done this in 4 months without any of that, but then again this is my calling.

Skich

iTrader: (4)

I would have to agree with sonix7 it takes a lot of time,work and tallent (especially to get the wrap to stick to all the different curves of the pieces) to get show quality pieces that look good. If you want to spend the time and learn how, it is possible . I have been doing it for about 5 months and went from the wavy parts that were just bad to the nice smooth 3d looking parts.