Carbon skinning kits ....

[wackojacko]

Evening all.

Prompted by a Reader cars thread that involves alot fo Carbon Fibre I had a little search into CF and how to do it etc.

I found this starter skinning kit from Carbon Mods, my question is whether or not these do produce good results and are worth the money ? (£46)

http://www.carbonmods.co.uk/Products/Carbon-Fibre-...



Cheers
Jacko.

[Codswallop]

That looks a bit pointless tbh. If you're not getting a full carbon part for weight saving purposes and just want the look, why not just get a vinyl wrap? Be easier, and probably lighter than adding an extra layer of material to your parts.

[AlpineWhite]

Mmm, carbon look. Adding extra weight for that lightweight look. Nice.

[wackojacko]

I see your point, however Vinyl looks false from a mile away.


This from the outset looks like it can be made to look spot on when glazed. It's not about light weight, I just really like the look of real carbon.... That's where I'm coming from.

[Codswallop]

If it's solely the look you're after, then yes it probably will look better than a wrap (probably get more of a 3D weave effect under the lacquer), and if nothing else, it does look like it might be a fun little project. You seem to have convinced yourself already that you want carbon bits, so just go for it and put pics up of your work

[StyleTechnik]

to do part will take about a week. Slow and steady is they key build up layers a day at a time etc. Mix your resin slowly but properly trying not to introduce to much air as this will make bubbles in the part. Also make sure you mix it properly or it just wont go off.

[Podie]

I'd sooner have that than fake wood...

[P I Staker]

A tiny bit off topic I suppose, whats involved in making a carbon fibre part? Is it doable by an idiot at home?

[Caulkhead]

AlpineWhite said:

Mmm, carbon look. Adding extra weight for that lightweight look. Nice.

This.

[Decky_Q]

I read the instructions from carbon mods a few years ago and decided to make my own kit using ebay epoxy and carbon 2x2weave matting and it turned out pretty good. Using plastic bag and hoover to get bubbles out. Was supposed to be wrapping a plastic engine cover and when it set the carbon came free of the plastic so I eneded up using just the carbon and ditched the plastic! I think the epoxy damaged/thinned the plastic though as it felt greasy underneath the carbon which is why they seperated.

I also found that each time I did it the results were twice as good as the previous attempt so buy the gear for making loads for £40 off ebay and get practicing on any old parts and within 3 goes you'll be able to make a decent non-stressed part. They dont handle abrasion well.

One thing though is the surface finish is nowhere near as good as a bought autoclaved part, but I didnt build up many layers of epoxy on the surface, which I assume you could and then polish it, mine looked like wet carbon matting which I liked.