Making carbon fibre side panels.

[Real_PhillBert]

I am part of a formula team and we have some left over carbon fiber and resin, I am considering using a few yards of it to make new side panels for my queen. I just picked up a new set off of ebay so if it all goes down hill I haven't wrecked any parts. I plan to make a nice big heavy fiberglass mold off the new ebay parts and lay the carbon into the molds.

Has anyone tried this before? I have a little experience with it from the racing team but fairly minimal exposure. I'm just looking for tips, tricks or ideas. Thanks in advance.

[a1istair]

That is my next/current project!!! Only got as far a lot of googling so far but I'd be very interested to hear how your efforts go!

[Real_PhillBert]

I will be sure to make several posts as the project progresses. I will be fairly busy for the next week or two but I should be well on my way into the unknown by the second half of may.

I dont think the side panels should be too difficult (famous last words), they are fairly flat without any really tricky features. I will start with them, and if they come out nice I plan on attempting a front fender. I will keep you up to date on how it works out.

Thanks

[Real_PhillBert]

Are you panning on simply covering your current parts in carbon or making all new parts?

[Bibio]

i would like to know if carbon can be cured without an autoclave

[keith_d]

Several thoughts.

Don't forget when you take the impressions to include some wooden supports in the mould to stop it flexing. These are usually bodged from scrap timber and glassed to the outside of the mould before you take it off the pattern. Otherwise the mould will flex (don't ask) and the parts you make won't sit straight.

Likewise ensure that the pattern is properly supported before you apply the gel coat. Murphy's law can be restated as, "if it can flex, it will flex"

Finally, remember to give your pattern parts plenty of silicone release agent. It would be embarrassing to make the mould then have to break the original parts to get them out.

Keith.

P.S. Bubbles are the enemy.

[squirrel_hunter]

i would like to know if carbon can be cured without an autoclave

Yes. (http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145975)

[Bibio]

Yes. (http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145975)

cheers. bookmarked but not for bike bling ;)

[mister c]

This guy made carbon moulds for some small items, but also did the tank. Looks mint. If you flick through the pages he shows how to carbon from a mould

http://forum.svrider.com/showthread.php?t=132617

[warmshed]

I have done some glass fibre moulds. I used slipwax, a silicone free wax to polish the original parts, 5 coats at least and buff up so nice and shiny, give a coat of gelcoat resin then lay up a couple of 1 1/2oz chopped strand mat while still tacky. use a metal resin roller and glass in a couple of stiffeners in both directions so the mould does nor warp. Wood is Ok as suggested or I used newspaper rolled up into tubes, then glassed over them. Allow to go off, but not harden, once firm but flexible cut round the edges with a Stanley Knife. Wait until its cures before parting.


Some people will advise using a PVA parting agent but if you do you will not get a shiny surface. I was specifically told polish containing silicone is no good. Try to use the correct mould release wax, I used Slipwax, another is called Honeywax, do not use car wax, indeed use a solvent cleaner such as panel wipe to ensure any silicone wax is removed before polishing. http://www.cybglassfibre.co.uk/buy-glass-fibre-products.asp?SubCatCode=55kfy&SubCatName=wax

Hope it goes well

[Mark-SV-UK]

Any more updates on this old thread????