Super SECRET Project PICS!

[kamotors]

I want to make CF things, but i never get around to it.:(

[BrewCity11]

Dude, these are the types of things I want to see!

Let me know the next night you're working on it. I'd love to come take a look if you wouldn't mind.

-Turk

[1990m3]

what about if you layed in fiberglass reinforcement bars on the bottom side?

Something like this (I know about this product from my industry):
https://braxton-bragg.com/products/a...reinforced_rod

I'm sure you could get it in smaller quantities

Also, they would be fairly easy to add to the mold after the trunk lid was made. I'll take v1 off your hands -- not too worried about the bubbles -- would paint it brilliantrot to match anyway...

[e30pwr]

And as far as the bracing goes, I may just make a mold of the underside of the trunklid, then bond that piece to the underside of the carbon skin, but that would make this weigh more than twice as much.

that is probably the better and easier way to do it, cus then us normal people can have one too!

[Rolla1990]

The best idea that i can think of for v2, is to use some balsa wood to make a webbing and then wrap the next layer down to give it more rigidity.

Are you vacuum molding this or is it simply epoxy rolled/sprayed on?

I'm laying up the resin by hand, without a vacuum. The key is to use as little resin as possible for a stiffer, lighter part, and to use a roller to force out all the air. Vacuum bagging is something that I'd like to try, but not on a piece this large (and relatively simple). I was thinking that V2 would use clear gelcoat on the surface of the mold, as in I would apply the clear gel coat, then the first layer of carbon. I think it would provide for a more durable outer surface, and alleviate the air problem.

The tricky thing about carbon, versus fiberglass, is that you can't see the air bubbles through the fabric.

And as far as the bracing goes, I may just make a mold of the underside of the trunklid, then bond that piece to the underside of the carbon skin, but that would make this weigh more than twice as much.

[e30pwr]

sorta, depending on how he molds the CF will decide whether he should use squares or something he can easily press out bubbles.

[straight6pwr]

The best idea that i can think of for v2, is to use some balsa wood to make a webbing and then wrap the next layer down to give it more rigidity.

basically, youre saying make ridges in the underside layer of CF, like v-shaped, as you lay it? ---v----v----v----v-- using the balsa strips to support the bumps? thats what i would do. would stiffen it right up.

[e30pwr]

The best idea that i can think of for v2, is to use some balsa wood to make a webbing and then wrap the next layer down to give it more rigidity.

Are you vacuum molding this or is it simply epoxy rolled/sprayed on?

[Rolla1990]

Ok so the deck lid came out of the mold this morning, and I was slightly disappointed - apparently there were some air bubbles trapped between the mold and the carbon/resin. I'd say the lid is 95% perfect, but that 5% makes it look like garbage. I'm going to have to fill the voids with more resin and sand the whole deck lid, then clearcoat it. Also, this piece is not very stiff except where the trunk curves down towards the taillights, it's too much of a flat piece. This will still work fine for a race car since it will be pinned on in several locations. For version 2.0 I'll add some foam to make a composite sandwich.

On a brighter note, the entire piece weighs about 1.5 or 2 lbs and has a nice glossy surface where there were no air bubbles, and the carbon looks awesome through the resin.

[e30this]

Nice work, I like to float around here often..

http://www.fiberglassforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=12

[shmutzigE30]

wow way to try and do this yourself. good luck

[e30pwr]

If you take the shit and loose the weight from your car you double the weight reduction!

this idea is revolutionary to me....i might have to try this out sometime

but kudos for doing something I've wanted to do for a while

[ethree]

LOL you sound like my guys at work "Dude, if you take a shit before you drive, you'll save the same weight"

This is more of a challenge for me as I wanted to learn how to make a mold, and a carbon part from a mold.

If you take the shit and loose the weight from your car you double the weight reduction!

[Rolla1990]

for as much weight as it will save I'll skip eating my meal for the day to loose jsut as much wieght

LOL you sound like my guys at work "Dude, if you take a shit before you drive, you'll save the same weight"

This is more of a challenge for me as I wanted to learn how to make a mold, and a carbon part from a mold.

[e30pwr]

for as much weight as it will save I'll skip eating my meal for the day to loose jsut as much wieght