Carbon fibre interior bits

[Hutch525]

So....
Lots of discussion going on around carbon fibre parts or carbon wrapping. I thought I'd go for something different. Skinning (wrapping) the original part with actual carbon fibre.
So I bought a kit from Xcr composites which came with the following:

So I took the previously wrapped centre console panel ( thought I'd start on something flat first)

Then stripped and sanded it:

Next was to cut the fabric to size- be careful if you snag the weave it takes ages to push and pull it back so it looks right.

Mix the adhesive and apply to the console:



More to come....

[Hutch525]

Very carefully press the fabric into the adhesive

Once the first coat of epoxy has dried, cut out the shapes and sand to key for the next 3 coats of epoxy

Apply the 3 coats, with a 2 hr wait in between, then overnight to dry hard

Looks good already, but needs another coat, some flattening and polishing then its good to go



Not a bad first attempt
Next will be the compartment lid
Followed by ski slope and satnav cover

Hopefully each one will be easier and give a better result

Edited by Hutch525 on Wednesday 14th October 18:05

[BigMig]

Looking really great. How thick is the skin layer once completed? I’m just wondering if there will be any issues with parts rubbing against each other when reassembled?

[Hutch525]

Not very thick at all,
Went straight back in so I would say less than 0.5mm either side.
I test fitted it after the thick coat and it was OK, theres a bit more room once you sand back the epoxy flat.

[AstonV]

Looks very nice.

This guy has a lot of cool carbon fiber how too videos on YouTube. Informative and entertaining.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-gbx5f0840

[MichaelV8V]

Is ther3e an option to do matte finish? Or is there a matte lacquer that would get it close to the finish that Aston uses on their parts?

[Hutch525]

I think i read on the website that if you need a matt finish, just spray a matt lacquer once you have completed the epoxy phase

[JohnG1]

Looks good.

Got me thinking - what about if you create a mould of the original part and then use the carbon fibre cloth to make a part? Such that the original part can be discarded...

[Hutch525]

Thats was actually my first thought,
Until I stripped it down and realise there are lots of little complex shapes and keyed holes then you need all the mounting points for the trays and buttons which need to be threaded. This way it works out much simpler and has the same affect.

[Hutch525]

So....
I've also finished the ski slope and its come up pretty well. Needs to come back out as finish is a little wavey( me being picky) its come out Very shiny though, so I'm going to look for some matt laquer and see if that takes the edge off when I remove it and flatten it again.

[leerandle]

Great work and looks like we did exactly the same type of 'skinning' on our Astons. I get all my materials from Easycomposites too.

I will make my trims matt as some point, but fitted them in their polished resin condition for now. I wasn't too sure on quality using a rattle can for the matt finish.