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

[Fastbird]

I must be a retard because i still dont understand how this works lol

The vacuum bagging applies even pressure across the fabric, creating a more complete wrap and better bond as well as keeping the lamination layer thin enough to not have much of an interference with reinstallation.

[playr158]

also, less resin = less weight

[Slick]

This is coming out great! Great job!

[foxcraze]

Ahh so this is more effective than doing the pieces by hand, because u get a tighter cover up which equires less resin to smooth out

[Fastbird]

Ahh so this is more effective than doing the pieces by hand, because u get a tighter cover up which equires less resin to smooth out

Yes, as well as the added benefit of a straighter weave and distinct lack of air pockets under the fabric.

THe piece in my pics that I did last night had to be done away with. The panel is still good, but as I figured was going to happen, the overabundance of vacuum caused pinholing in the resin. That, and when I turned it off this morning it was still curing and pulled off some. No biggie, still in the testing phases. I'm going to hpopefully pick up some bleeder valves tomorrow morning, but I'm out of town for the weekend so more on sunday/Monday possibly.

[dustin15brown]

get this down and I have two vehicle interiors that need done

[Fastbird]

Oh boy!!!! I think I found a setup that works!!!!! Have a look!

The same but "New" pump setup:


Controlling the Vacuum: An air compressor regulator for bleed control, two barb fittings, and a small three way manifold. Total cost: $20


Vacuum monitoring: Simple automotive vacuum gauge on a plastic "T" fitting plumbed AFTER the bleeder valve:


And you get this, with a steady regulated vacuum on the item. No excessive forces, a very nice 20 in/hg of vacuum. My pump ran up to 30 in/hg before I cut it off on a test. QUITE happy.




Now I just need to switch to a more pliable film that will stretch better and not leave pleats. Hopefully this is the last time I try this piece.

This post has been edited by Fastbird: Mar 12, 2009 - 11:09 PM

[Skinerp89]

wow that looks sick...haha your gonna have alooooooooooot of work from members here if you decide to do this on a grand scale =D

keep up the great work!

[Fastbird]

The real test is going to be when I try to crack out a piece like the door switch panels with the contours in them. If I can get the fiber to lay smooth and the weave straight on those, it's going to be a VERY good thing....... Next piece I try will probably try will be a shifter surround. I have an A4 piece and hope I can use it on my manual.

[foxcraze]

Dude get this thing running sweeeeeeet so u can start making some loot from us who want wrapped stuff lol

[Fastbird]

That's the plan.

Checked it this morning. Still drying. The West System 1:1 epoxy dries horribly slow, but is the hardest drying of them all too. Worth the wait I'm hoping.

[foxcraze]

Kool kool keep us updated i got some stuff in reg CF i really want done lol

[Fastbird]

Kool kool keep us updated i got some stuff in reg CF i really want done lol

Well I've got a couple of parts for Slow_Yota sitting here for one of his cars that I might start on this weekend now, so I'll keep everyone posted.

[Legit94GT]

Kool kool keep us updated i got some stuff in reg CF i really want done lol

Well I've got a couple of parts for Slow_Yota sitting here for one of his cars that I might start on this weekend now, so I'll keep everyone posted.

Your work is looking really really good, I can't wait till you get everything perfected so i can start sending you some parts to wrap:) you should have a great little side business here, can't wait to send you out some parts. keep us all posted

[Fastbird]

Some updated pieces:

Left A/C Vent -- Still a little rough around the edges, this is with a single coat of resin after vacuum bagging:


And......this is a piece for Slow_Yota's ST165 I believe it is. It's a headlight cover/intake vent piece. Vacuum bagged last night through today, I just trimmed it up tonight and am going to shortly apply a coat of resin. You can see how the bag left the creases in the resin, so I have to build up around then sand everything smooth after curing.









The reason the surface looks all bubbly is because it's just bagging imperfections. Couple of coats of epoxy cured, sanded, and clearcoated, and she'll be gleaming!

[slow_yota]

The weave looks good but the finished product wont have the air lines correct ?
And yes this is going on my st165 =]

[Fastbird]

The weave looks good but the finished product wont have the air lines correct ?
And yes this is going on my st165 =]

Correct. It's going to be built up and sanded out. This is a typical result when you vacuum bag something. If I don't like how this comes out I'm going to rip it all off and try a different slightly more pliable bagging material and see if it comes out better. This one should work though. I just layed the first topcoat of resin on the piece, tomorrow night I'll add another.

[slow_yota]

The weave looks good but the finished product wont have the air lines correct ?
And yes this is going on my st165 =]

Correct. It's going to be built up and sanded out. This is a typical result when you vacuum bag something. If I don't like how this comes out I'm going to rip it all off and try a different slightly more pliable bagging material and see if it comes out better. This one should work though. I just layed the first topcoat of resin on the piece, tomorrow night I'll add another.

No looks good and smart thinking on keeping the trim holes open for when i reassemble it.
As long as you sand down the air lines..We're good. =]

[Fastbird]

The weave looks good but the finished product wont have the air lines correct ?
And yes this is going on my st165 =]

Correct. It's going to be built up and sanded out. This is a typical result when you vacuum bag something. If I don't like how this comes out I'm going to rip it all off and try a different slightly more pliable bagging material and see if it comes out better. This one should work though. I just layed the first topcoat of resin on the piece, tomorrow night I'll add another.

No looks good and smart thinking on keeping the trim holes open for when i reassemble it.
As long as you sand down the air lines..We're good. =]

Yeah, I wasn't sure how high up the trim piece goes so I only went slightly above the holes when I trimmed that area. The sides and back are wrapped around the edges though.

[illneversellmyce...]

any updates on this thread