First name is Steve
Joined on December 21st of '07
Lives in Fort White, FL
Local time: 06:04 PM
PM Posts: 260

I know you can buy the just the fiber with out the resin impregnated and us it more like a fiberglass cloth, then clear over it.
This company does this; I am interested in how they do it.
http://www.carbonfiberhelmets.com/wrapping.php

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H. Cruiser
When I was younger I was a Harley snob, now that I know better, I have more respect for someone willing to make a bike out of nothing than for someone who walks into a dealership and plunks down a fist full of cash for a bike that will never get dirty, and turn his nose up at anyone not riding his brand.

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First name is Chris
Joined on October 16th of '04
Lives in Saskatchewan, Canada
Local time: 05:04 PM
PM | SITE Posts: 504

Vacuum bagging is going to give the best results along with epoxy resin (not polyester). Not only is the carbon fiber pretty pricey, but so is the epoxy and vacuum bagging setup. If I remember correctly there's quite a bit of resin waste vacuum bagging too.

I guess if you took your time to prep everything perfectly, made and cut a plan for the carbon lamination, and had everything ready... it's quite possible to do a really nice job hand laying it all. You just have to remember that with carbon fiber you're just going to clear, what you see is what your final product is going to look like.

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First name is Steve
Joined on December 21st of '07
Lives in Fort White, FL
Local time: 06:04 PM
PM Posts: 260

Well I have done some bagging before, and yea on the epoxy, probably use a slow set up to have plenty of time.
It is for my bags, and any other glass on the bike.
What I am looking for is if I need to strip the paint completely. It is urethane enamel; I am thinking to go over it, after roughing it up good.

quote:

Originally posted by SuzukiChopper Vacuum bagging is going to give the best results along with epoxy resin (not polyester). Not only is the carbon fiber pretty pricey, but so is the epoxy and vacuum bagging setup. If I remember correctly there's quite a bit of resin waste vacuum bagging too. I guess if you took your time to prep everything perfectly, made and cut a plan for the carbon lamination, and had everything ready... it's quite possible to do a really nice job hand laying it all. You just have to remember that with carbon fiber you're just going to clear, what you see is what your final product is going to look like.

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First name is Chris
Joined on October 16th of '04
Lives in Saskatchewan, Canada
Local time: 05:04 PM
PM | SITE Posts: 504

quote:

Originally posted by Harley_Cruiser Well I have done some bagging before, and yea on the epoxy, probably use a slow set up to have plenty of time. It is for my bags, and any other glass on the bike. What I am looking for is if I need to strip the paint completely. It is urethane enamel; I am thinking to go over it, after roughing it up good.

I always think back to my experience with my boat and the knowledge I've received from iboats.com when it comes to glassing. As long as the surface is prepped (more important with polyester resins) then it'll bond. Most guys recommend a good sanding with 80 grit on a gelcoated surface so I would think that as long as the paint bonded well with the underlying material, then the same should apply. Instead of a clear coat over top have you thought of using a crystal clear epoxy instead for the finish coat? May not yellow as much as a clear might in the sun.

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Premium Member

First name is Steve
Joined on July 19th of '06
Lives in Big Sandy, TX
Local time: 05:04 PM
PM Posts: 72

I saw your post yesterday and was amazed with what you had on the Link

I ran across this and though I'd pass it along:
http://www.yourcobalt.com/forums/in...rbon-fiber.html

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