we were originally fiberglassing my bros door panels, but then he found carbon fiber for cheap(raw carbon cloth). so we are doing that instead. WE got the carbon glued down to the panel and it looks really hot. now all we need to do is figure out how to get the shine. Weve got a gallon setup of clear...but i dont think you are supposed to spray a **** load of clear strait on to the raw cloth, im sure it would work but i dont think its proper procdure. is there something i need to spread over all of it first? like fiber resin. how do i apply it and how does it dry, smooth or rough, do i need to sand it. it doesnt look like from other peoples DIY's that there is any top sanding involved except maybe the clear coat. ANY HELP IS THANKFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

so exactly how did you "glue it down" to the panel?

the whole point of the epoxy resin is to A) glue it to the panel. B) soak into the cloth to harden it to its finished product.

you cant sand carbon fiber without distorting the weave. the process is pretty much...
prep the panel
drape the cloth
apply the resin
let it harden
clean with acetone
apply a uv coating to protect the carbon fiber from sun fade
apply a few clear coats to make it shine.

post a pic of the panel, and I could help a little more.

you need to google: "carbon fiber how to"

one question how much is cheap? and where did you purchase it...the best Ive got is 20.95 a running yard of 2x2 twill and 4x4 diagonal.

 

we 3m glued it down...but it would prolly come off easy if there is another better way to do it. i can take a picture tonight . it was 27$ for a yard

 

with out resin it is pretty much pointless. its like glueing fiberglass matting down...its pointless with out the resin

 

lol.. yea dood you gotta mix the resin, actualy make carbon fiber a little stronger than glue adn fabric... hehe

 

well i know its more than glue and fabric but this is also not a panel that is exposed to elements so im just trying to figure out how to lay down the resin so it will be smooth when it dries, ive never spread any so i dont know how it dries up, ive only seen it with people using the fiberglass in it, and layering it, and of course that **** is lumpy up and down and rough as hell. everyone says to just spread it on there...does it not soak into it?

 

if done properly it will not be lumpy.
use a plastic spreader and spread the resin over the cloth. do this until the resin no longer soaks into the cloth. once its apparent the cloth is fully saturated use a squeegy and a spray bottle full of diluted acetone or thinner, to remove the exess resin. after this dries it will be hardened and smooth. once its fully cured paint it like I stated before. one coat of uv protectant, a few coats of clear, the use a rubbing compoud to smooth the last coat of clear and a hand glaze to make it shine.

post some pics of what you got.

 

remove what excess resin...im confused on that one. how long do you wait before you use the squeegie to remove excess, and where does the excess buildup. ill try to post a pic like tonight. thanks.

 

Ill try to paint a picture. Imagine a paper towel and pour pancake syrup on it. it slowy soaks into the towel creating a see through effect. if you kept adding syrup it would just make a pool (that would be the excess) just make sure the resin completly penetrates the cf you will squeegie it immediately.

 

i thought squeegies push it around...or does it soak it up?

 

i was wondering if you could make a fiberglass plan first and smooth it out then but a layer of CF over it and make it like a final layer for the CF look?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SP00LIN &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i thought squeegies push it around...or does it soak it up? </TD></TR></TABLE>
what ever the cf doesnt soak up will be removed...ie using the squeegie.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by lDanny &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i was wondering if you could make a fiberglass plan first and smooth it out then but a layer of CF over it and make it like a final layer for the CF look?</TD></TR></TABLE>
definately...thats the way it's done by alot of the DIY'ers because its cheaper. just dont use anything other than 80-120 grit sand, you want to make sure the cf will grip the fg good

 

so do i put like body filler on the inside and then smooth it out? or how do i get it smooth.. i read in the other post that you can use 800grit... and so sand and wax the inside of the mold, then put release wax then gel coat then lay the layers of cf?

 

if your just using the fg as a mold yes...if the cf will be permately attached to the fg no dont use anything like a filler or paper above 120grit.

 

do you use the same resin as FG for CF?

 

you can, but some people prefer an epoxy resin to add the adhesion of the two materials.

 

what kind of FG is good for making molds?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by lDanny &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what kind of FG is good for making molds?</TD></TR></TABLE>

this is the way we make molds. 1st use a good tooling gelcoat, then put down a fg veil(this helps alot in preventing print through to telegraph into your mold face). then a light chopped strand, heavier chopped strand, and finally woven fabric. also make sure you reinforce your mold w wood or metal if you can to help it all stay straight and so you can handle it easily, so it doest roll around or wobble. also when your making your mold dont try to build it faster than an 1/8 at a time or you may have a problem with peak exotherm, like your mold might get so hot it will spontaneously combust.(its happened to me )