Re-skinning parts in Carbon Fibre

Re-skinning parts in Carbon Fibre

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Discussion

Nabbott

Original Poster:

294 posts

135 months

Tuesday 14th October 2014
quotequote all
So now the weather (here in the UK) has turned 'bad' - or at least bad enough to dissuade an aero-screened Can-Am out to on it's continued development path - thought I'd have a 'play' at re-skinning a mirror in Carbon. Surely I'm not the first to contemplate such madness? Feel sure that they'd be a small but loyal group of GTR and Can-am owners who'd want a proper auto-claved mirror housing?

Anyway what we have below represents about 4 hours work. It's a LONG way from finished (another 4 hours - if i'm lucky?) and I've yet to solve the issue of what to do on the inside (mirror edge):

Flatted back:


Primed (although I messed this up it should be totally black):


Layed up:


Three coats of epoxy and sanded/flatted back with a light polish:

Storer

5,024 posts

214 months

Tuesday 14th October 2014
quotequote all
You mean mirrors like these....



They are available, not from me though.


Paul

Nabbott

Original Poster:

294 posts

135 months

Tuesday 14th October 2014
quotequote all
Yes BUT I don't want to have to move the mirror/repair the bodywork etc., etc., all for the sake of my vanity. I was chuckling to myself this evening having skinned the mirror housing I've actually made it heavier - the polar opposite of why you'd use CF in the first instance smile

I did admire you car at the factory day a couple of years ago - very nice!

356Speedster

2,293 posts

230 months

Tuesday 14th October 2014
quotequote all
I carbon skinned my side sill covers and planned to do other parts, but it was such a faff, that I never did anything else!

Better than skinning, seems to be hydro graphics carbon covering. Hardly any weight penalty and a lot easier / faster to do. I'm considering a new centre console design, if I go for it, I'll hydro the finished product for sure smile

F.C.

3,896 posts

207 months

Wednesday 15th October 2014
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Each to their own of course, but yet to see a convincing "carbon" hydro film that doesn't look Halfords "rice wear".
Skinning I can sort of understand, but to be honest with the amount of time and effort to get the right finish you may as well go the whole hog and mould them, autoclaving wouldn't be necessary for a mirror housing.
I've been vacuum bagging some carbon over the last few months, small sheets and less complex moulding.
I am making some moulds for splitters front and side, I was going to use flat sheet but after seeing this:



I have decided to make a little extra effort.
ETA (the splitter not the scoop)

Edited by F.C. on Wednesday 15th October 07:15

Nabbott

Original Poster:

294 posts

135 months

Wednesday 15th October 2014
quotequote all
Just knew when i started that this was going to become a painful process. I'm 'OK' with the finished piece (it would'nt pass QC on a Pagani!) BUT it needs loads more lacquer and time flatting it back frown


Nabbott

Original Poster:

294 posts

135 months

Friday 17th October 2014
quotequote all
One down, one to go. Like I said wouldn't pass QC at the Pagani Factory and my advice to anyone who wants to attempt this - be prepared for it to take 10 time longer than you thought it should!



confusionhunter

448 posts

221 months

Friday 17th October 2014
quotequote all
I see you find the tyres as handy tool shelves too! smile

Nabbott

Original Poster:

294 posts

135 months

Friday 17th October 2014
quotequote all
confusionhunter said:
I see you find the tyres as handy tool shelves too! smile
The best😄

Nabbott

Original Poster:

294 posts

135 months

Friday 17th October 2014
quotequote all
confusionhunter said:
I see you find the tyres as handy tool shelves too! smile
The best😄

confusionhunter

448 posts

221 months

Friday 17th October 2014
quotequote all
Looking good on the carbon skin front too.... From the looks of it it would take too much effore to simply make a plug and make replace the actual mirror itself!?

Nabbott

Original Poster:

294 posts

135 months

Friday 17th October 2014
quotequote all
I live in hope that someone with the requisite skills and time would/could......

We're I not so busy, I'd love to have a go at moulding and vacuum forming but alas it is not to be.

chucknorris

180 posts

162 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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Well, i have the requisite skills and an autoclave to do the curing, but time is certainly my problem right now, however i do plan a few parts that will be available at some point and as you will see, i have changed some original parts for all carbon (not wrapped) parts...

chucknorris

180 posts

162 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
P.S. sorry about the poor quality photo wobble