| | | quote | Originally posted by hercimer01:
The process of wrapping it and glazing has been used a lot on smaller things like trim panels and mirrors. I know it can be done, I was just wondering if anyone has ever done larger things. |
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You're quite right, carbon, or any fabric really, can be wrapped, or skinned, or laminated, whichever terminology floats your boat, onto almost anything.
Problem is, the fabric comes in a roll that's narrower than most bonnets/hoods. The seam is difficult to hide, or get neat, so is commonly hidden by a painted or vinyl stripe, even seen a contrast fabric used. It's something I'm practicing at the moment as I'm remaking my bonnet and engine cover. It is Not at all Easy.
You do NOT need vacuum/pressure or a heating process for skinning. That's for prepreg, which no one in their right mind would use for skinning. You can use vacuum consolidation for skinning, it's not usual though, I've only used it to laminate heavy weight fabrics to skateboard decks.
The only thing you've been told that's correct is eye/lung protection, that's the same for any cutting/grinding/sanding operation.
There are 2 big problems.
1. It has to be considered permanent. You can recover metal parts, but plastic/wood etc, no chance.
2. It would be expensive. There would be almost as much waste as you'll use. Assuming you go with a centre seam. You also need carbon shears to cut it. You will NOT cut the fabric with dressmaking shears! You would need 140-200 g fabric, anything else is a bit heavy. There are fabrics specifically manufactured for skinning, which have extra binders in to prevent distortion, or weave separation. The weight corresponds to thickness, not added weight on the panel, the heavier the fabric the thicker it is, the harder it is to conform it to curves/edges/detail. YOU WOULD HAVE TO USE AN EPOXY RESIN AS THE BASE LAYER! And key the surface like crazy.
I use black diolen, it looks exactly like a superfine carbon, it's lighter in weight, generally 120-200g per metre so it's very easy to use and it's a 1/4 of the price. Only someone experienced will know it's not carbon. You can, just, cut it with dressmaking shears. I plan on covering most of my panels as it's cheaper than paint.
Or, carbon/black twaron, twaron is the generic name for kevlar which is a DuPont trademark. Carbon isn't really black, it's brown/grey, c/bt really pops because there's much more contrast, the coloured twaron is super black. As a decorative finish, it's on another level. Half the cost of carbon, but you need carbon or twaron/kevlar shears to cut it, you'll just make a complete mess with anything else.
As an aside, if someone suggest you use 'coloured carbon' as it's lighter and easy to use, that's because it's a polyester fabric. You can't dye carbon. Though you can get black/coloured fabrics where the black is actually carbon, generally a higher cost.
Have a look at
www.easycomposites.co.uk ( it's who I get my stuff from now, I have no connection with them) they have some great instructional videos, both on their site and youtube. Have a look at the rifle they did for one of the UK Olympics, that's pretty much what you need to do. I have one to do soon for a colleague.
Black Base layer
Lay fabric at tacky stage
Allow to cure
Wet out and allow to cure
Flat and repeat.
Flat and polish.
If you use a stripe you can epoxy over it to give a smooth surface once flatted. If you ever use a polyester resin you need to check beforehand that it won't dissolve the stripe, as one of my friends discovered the hard way ;-)
Regards, iain
[This message has been edited by Iain (edited 09-25-2019).]
