Carbon Fiber wrapped parts.........., My first attempts. Options

[bseaman_5]

Hey, I love this idea that you have going! I'm just wondering how difficult is it to do? Or is it not really difficult just more time consuming and slow going do to taking your time to make sure it looks good??

[Fastbird]

It's more time consuming and slow, but getting and keeping the weave straight while doing a contour is a PITA. It take some practice, but if you're good with your hands you can do it yourself in no time.

[bseaman_5]

It's more time consuming and slow, but getting and keeping the weave straight while doing a contour is a PITA. It take some practice, but if you're good with your hands you can do it yourself in no time.

After seeing what you have done it has really inspired me to give it a try. And as much as I would love to just ship it off to you and have you do it I'm pretty sure I would appreciate it more if I did it myself, if that makes sense? I think I'm pretty good w my hands.. I hope! I'm going to give this a try, I'm going w the blue and black kevlar.

[Fastbird]

It's more time consuming and slow, but getting and keeping the weave straight while doing a contour is a PITA. It take some practice, but if you're good with your hands you can do it yourself in no time.

After seeing what you have done it has really inspired me to give it a try. And as much as I would love to just ship it off to you and have you do it I'm pretty sure I would appreciate it more if I did it myself, if that makes sense? I think I'm pretty good w my hands.. I hope! I'm going to give this a try, I'm going w the blue and black kevlar.

Some tips: Use the spray 3M adhesive to stick the cloth to whatever you're coating. Spray part, let get tacky, apply cloth. This will make it adhere better. When you do the carbon fiber wet-down with epoxy (your first coat), BE GENTLE when applying, you can move the weave easily. Let it have PLENTY of time to cure before a second coat or sanding too. If you have any troubles let me know and I"ll try to help out.

[Fastbird]

Woooo......just wrapped the ignition lock cylinder/dimmer panel (under the cluster above the steering wheel). Not bad, but there was a couple of tricky spots. The contouring around the keyhole is a PITA because the weave tries to wave. I had to waste one panel I cut because I simply was not happy. The second go around I got it pretty good, still a little tiny wave on top, but the bottom side of the keyhole the weave had to get scrunched due to how cloth lays over contours. Fortunately it's in an inconspicuous area. Then there's the underside of the crossover that passes over the steering column. THAT I couldn't figure out, and had to cut wedges out at either radius to allow it to pull around the sides. This is all unable to be seen as installed in the car, but it bugs me because it feels unfinished though I know it's fine. I'll have some pic up tomorrow to show what I'm talking about.

Good news is that I got the edges of the two prior pieces trimmed up and got one of them sanded and ready for a final coat. The other I need to trim out the switch holes and sand still.

This is a long time consuming process. But so worth it in the end.

[Fastbird]

Today's work (not done yet by far though):

Radio Trim -- This was the initial application. I put some excess in all the holes to allow the fabric to be wrapped and adhered around the beveled edges. Next step is to wrap the outer edges around the sides and tuck the back, then I'm going to wet out the fabric with a light layer of epoxy to really adhere it to the plastic. Once that's dried tomorrow I'll come back and cut the centers of the holes out (the light epoxy coat leaves the fabric just pliable enough to work with) and wrap/glue the inside edges and give a healthy base coat of epoxy. So far this is looking like it's going to come out beautifully, I got the weave about perfect on this one.


Ignition Panel -- Wrapped and ready for epoxy. Not perfect, still working on my contouring technique, but this is very livable.



Upper vent on passenger side top of dash -- This is a test piece. I'm trying to get the fabric to wrap back on the fins. This WILL be a test piece and come off as I accidentally reversed the weave on this one anyway. Whoops.


This post has been edited by Fastbird: Nov 7, 2008 - 8:14 PM

[zero07]

Looks sick man! Doing a great job, cant wait to see more.

[Fastbird]

Sides wrapped on the radio trim. I am EXTREMELY happy with how it's coming along.







SONOFA!!!!!!!! I just realized that I reversed the weave on this piece too. So much for everything going the same direction because I'm NOT redoing this piece. I knew it was coming along too well that something was wrong. I'm an idiot.

This post has been edited by Fastbird: Nov 7, 2008 - 9:03 PM

[Slick]

Keep going, man! these pieces are going to look awesome!

[Fastbird]

Door handle Bezels. These were TOUGH. But, I tried a quicker setting epoxy and was able to get them to take quite nicely. These shouldn't be too bad to do again should someone want them done. They're overly dark because the fabric has only been wet out with epoxy, no layers have been built up yet. I still have to cut out the opening and tuck the edges there but that won't be difficult.





This post has been edited by Fastbird: Nov 9, 2008 - 12:03 PM

[Spider77]

They keeping looking better and better. Hey, which epoxy/hardener do you use, the premix or the stuff you have to do yourself?

[Fastbird]

They keeping looking better and better. Hey, which epoxy/hardener do you use, the premix or the stuff you have to do yourself?

Stuff you have to mix yourself. I've been experimenting with some commonly store bought stuff (michael's sells this self leveling top coat epoxy that I was using, took a LONG time to set though, then I've been playing with the 2, 5, and 30 minute packages you see at the auto parts stores) but I'm getting ready to order a gallon or so of resin/hardner from one of the suppliers on line because you can get pumps with the bottles making it easier to measure out.

[Spider77]

SO right now your running off store bought stuff huh? Was asking cause I saw they sold a pre mix made for the colored cf and was wondering how the results are up close. Which ones gave you the best look so far?

[Fastbird]

SO right now your running off store bought stuff huh? Was asking cause I saw they sold a pre mix made for the colored cf and was wondering how the results are up close. Which ones gave you the best look so far?

The only stuff I've used for a top coat so far is the stuff I got at Michaels, the self leveling stuff. It's awesome for a finish, but takes forever to set up. The 30 minute stuff that you get in the syringe packs is GREAT for initial wet-out and adherence though. The 2 and 5 minute stuff I wouldn't bother with. Too sketchy from what I've found.

[samir0189]

Nice job fastbird, each time I check this thread your work keeps getting better and better! Awesome!

[WWSideWinder]

Fastbird this is Great.

I was dead set against Carbon Fibering the interior But you have almost changes my mind.
Looking Forward to seeing the finished Product.

Great thread (And Work)

Do you have photos of the Blue/Black ?

[Fastbird]

Do you have photos of the Blue/Black ?

Just a hotlinked pic here, as I don't have any fabric of my own here to work with. I won't be getting any unless someone wants something done in blue/black as it doesn't fit any of my schemes.



Another thing I'm thinking of doing: I have a DCW triple and single pod. Thinking of wrapping those as the finishes don't match and I think it would really set them off.

This post has been edited by Fastbird: Nov 10, 2008 - 9:31 AM

[Fastbird]

Sorry guys (and gals if there are any watching), nothing new to report. I haven't touched anything since Sunday night. I've been sick with some kind of deep chest cold and have all around been feeling like crap, so no motivation to do anything. Hopefully tomorrow night I'll be up to throwing down some epoxy to try to finish some of these pieces up.

[DEATH]

Oh we're watching - I think you drummed up alot of interest with this thread but don't worry I and probably half the other people who watch this thread have that damn chest cold too. Your pecs hurt yet from all the clenching when you cough? This cold isn't fcukin around

This post has been edited by DEATH: Nov 11, 2008 - 3:53 PM

[Fastbird]

No pics today but I did some work last night. Trimmed the excess off the door handle bezels, put a final coat of epoxy on the ash tray cover, third coat on the passenger door switch panel, and second coat on the upper dash vent. Going to sand and clear the ash tray panel tonight, sand and re-coat the passenger switch panel, and add a third coat to the upper vent tonight. Maybe get some pics up in the process. I've got tomorrow night, all day Saturday, and Sunday nights off so I'll be hopefully finishing up several of the pieces.

If anyone is selling the drivers side dash vent panel or drivers side door switch panel or a shifter panel for a manual car, I need each one of those to complete the interior transformation on our car. TIA.