Im looking for someone to give a little 101 on CF fabrication. I want learn to make my own pieces. Im already good with making fiberglass molds and painting and this is the next step I want to take. So if anyone can give me some one on one time, maybe via IM, or if anybody know where to send me, I would really appreciate it.

Thanx guys

there's a good forum I used to be on that had a bunch of informative people on it - http://www.fibreglast.com I've tried using fiberglass but carbon fiber is a little more difficult. anyways there are some good links on that site about common questions and methods for DIY stuff

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carbon fiber is harder to lay, as it is not as mobile as fiberglass...also, in order to make the pretty carbon fiber pattern you have to lay it properly...otherwise it comes out all funky and ugly looking. Cool thing about that though is you can cut a design out and lay that piece of fiber over the normal pattern...then you have a design that sticks out of the fiber, but is still carbon fiber. The Old One did it on his carbon fiber intake manifolds for honda's...look all uber pimp n whatnot

Carbon Fiber is, to me, the same as using fiberglass and kevlar. I do it on the aircraft. When it comes to laying it up for an application that needs to look good, it can get tricky. It is defiinately a coarser weave than fiberglass and therefore slightly harder to have it lay in odd shapes without folding or leaving slight ridges where you don't want them to be. It is something that you need to take your time with and consider using a vacuum of some sort. It will help pull excess resin out of the fabric and leave a more solid structure. Also how many layers or plies do you plan on laying up? Only using one on top of the base of the headliner? Support the board on something that won't allow it to flex when you pull vacuum. Also how much of the fabric do you need and how much is it going to cost YOU? A bolt of graphite cloth costs the Navy about $3500 (36"x100yds). Not sure what it costs the common man. I think that if you are good with molds and glass then you should be just fine. Any questions, hit me up any time. I love working with the composites.



***Edit*** http://www.fibreglast.com/showproducts-category-Carbon+Fiber+%28Graphite%29+Fabrics+%26+Tapes-15.html#18
Check this link... I would say that the Twill weave would be the best for the curves of things like the headliner or irregular surfaces like aggressions enclosures. (Sick Man! THey are great!)

So now at 44 what the hell do I do?

Hey thanx, that fibreglast site freakin rocks!! I can get everything I need from there and they even have a forum. The only prob Im having is, I dont really understand the process of vacumming. I can do it but dont you have to heat it in an autclave or something. Im still reading all the stuff on this sight, so I might just havent ran into that part yet. I plan on doing dash, console, all pillars, pretty much everything thats plastic including CF sub inclosures, and custom door panels. I see it happening cuz Ive done it with fiberglass. Well see what happens.

Autoclaving is great for things like, oh, wings fuselages, major structural components etc. It uses heat AND pressure in one vessle. All you would need is a vacuum pump, bagging material, a porus or Non-porus, release cloth (usually teflon) bleeder cloth of some sort and off you go. All the prep materials get to be expensive when you start bagging stuff the right way. The release cloth determines what kind of finish you end up with right out of the mold. You can always go back and lay a coat of urethane or clear coat to gloss it up.
Try something in glass first and then see how it looks. If you like whatyo usee then try your hand at it. Drop me a line anytime. oldguyami@cavtel.net

Ricky

So now at 44 what the hell do I do?

Originally posted by BuckNutty

Originally posted by RickyMeeses I love working with the composites.

oh ricky, ricky...me n you could become really good friends...

So now at 44 what the hell do I do?