making cf parts

[SENNAF1]

Well I have been doing some research and I am going to start making some cosmetic parts for the engine bay of my car out of carbon fiber.I already made a strut bar.Now I am starting with fabric and starting from scratch.I love this kind of thing I will let you know how it how it all turns out.Hopefully by then I can get the pic. post thing down.

 

[Diablo360]

SENNAF1, what type of resin/hardener are you using and what's a good source to buy it from? Also do you have any good DIY links?


Thanks, Simo

 

[SENNAF1]

I am using a epoxy resin. as far as suppliers go I will let you know when I get what I ordered.

 

[Type-SR]

I can't wait to see your write up.. I wanted to start making my own parts as well... getting someone to do it is too expensive.

 

[StupidJunior]

Ive used West System resins and catalyst with very good results.

Are you vacuum bagging or doing wet lay ups?

I havent played around with that stuff for over a year now. Hopefully my resin is still good. I still have a few yards of 2x2 weave and my bagging machine just collecting dust!

 

[CK_SB]

I just did my first CF parts and it worked out really well. I purchased all of my product from Fiberglass Hawaii (locations also in Southern, CA). Good luck and have fun.

 

[TTG 73]

You can get virtually type of fabricating material (CF, Kevlar, FG, Epoxy or Polyester Resin, etc, etc) from:

AVT - Applied Vehicle Technology
Indianapolis, Indiana
317-546-6840

Joel Walworth

Not only can he sell you what you might need - he's a former fabricator and VERY bright guy... so his advise is always great.

He's the one who taught me how to do parts for my Lola.

Good Luck. Terrence

 

[stuntman]

Wet carbon is just for looks and wet carbon has no properties of dry carbon (light weight and strenght). Wet carbon is not as strong or nearly as light as dry.

Pretty much wet carbon is a fiberglass that looks like carbon.


FYI




But I love carbon and the looks so what the he!!...

 

[groupetto]

Wet carbon is just for looks and wet carbon has no properties of dry carbon (light weight and strenght). Wet carbon is not as strong or nearly as light as dry.

Pretty much wet carbon is a fiberglass that looks like carbon.

Wrong.
Wet or dry simply refers to how the resin is applied. "Dry" implies a pre-preg
carbon fabric or carbon fabric to be infused with resin under pressure or vacume. "Wet", as in wet lay-up refers to applying a resin mixture manually
into the carbon fabric which is then typically compacted under vacume, this is more labor intensive and can produce a less consistent product on a high volume basis but is perfectly adequate for low production and DIY projects. There is nothing magic with "dry" carbon, if it is not applied properly, under vacume or autoclave and cured properly, you will get junk, e-bay is full of it. The magic is in the execution not the material.