Carbon Fiber Bodywork

i have no problem paying it forward either.if you get to the point that cash is slowing you down just make mention of it and i will kick in some cash.you have always came across as straight up,and i would be happy to help keep the wheels rolling.or the vacuum sucking as it were :laugh: .

leon

Thanks Leon, I really appreciate the sentiment. I may take you up on your offer All this R&D is getting pricy :laugh: I'm actually suprised that no one has posted a thread about this before me. I'm positive there are more experienced composite artists hanging around here, and I know I'm not the first one to do this ever??

don't hesitate to let me know if i can help.
not everyone is willing to show there process to everyone else on the www.i have googled making carbon fiber parts before and could only find one article a guy had done about making some covers for his guzzi by using a vacuum cleaner to vacuum bag his parts and something about the cat getting hair in one of the covers.

leon

I know exactly what you mean Leon. Everything I'm doing here is a composition of 50 + articles, videos and various pieces of information from the WWW. Most of what I found was oversimplified, leaving out small but critical steps or methods. I have written here, perhaps, the most thorough representation of what it takes to go from plug (part to be copied) to completed (roughly) part. Most importantly though, I showed you all my mistakes. I have yet to find anyone advertising their c.f. mistakes on the internet like I have, and that's. Some of the most valuable information of all

In my experience, excess resin can be sanded away, especially if you will be clearing these parts anyway. The only thing that it would effect would be the shape of the part, but it looks like a pretty small area. Lookin good though !

I know Justin, and I think this will be a good opportunity to attempt a repair on the sidecover and see how it goes. I'll grind down the bad spots and fill it back in with some resin, see if I can salvage it

maybe Roy would have some tips for u??

kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&...it=20&limitstart=440

Thanks Mark, I did read through Roys thread last night. The only problem is that he is simply wrapping existing parts with composites, while I'm making completely new parts. Completely different animals My vacuum pump is optional, but it makes the tightest, lightest most compacted laminates. Talented though he is, the issues I'm facing are not ones that Roy had to deal with. Are there any other long lost composite threads?

Adam, it's not a motorcycle forum, but rather a boat building forum, but check out this sight: forums.bateau2.com/

They have some experience with vacuum bagging foam core fiberglass and CF boat hull laminates. The two real knowledgeable guys on the forum go by shine and jaques. You will have to join to post questions, but it might be worth the effort since they have some practical experience.

You might see if there is anyone local to you that is building boat hulls. Many newer hulls are eliminating wood with fancy multi-layer, foam core layups, and those guys have the hands on experience that you need.

It'll take me a while to sift through that site. I glossed through the FAQ's and How To's, and didn't see anything. I'll have to dig deeper into the site, thanks Josh.

Click this link: www.bateau2.com/howto/foam1.php
It has info on foam core construction techniques. It might help with some structural elements, but it is more boat-centric than you need.

Also, try searching through the Builders Power Boats header. You are looking for guys who have built the Phantom 15 or PH15. This plan offers the option of foam cored construction, and I believe that everyone doing this option would vacuum bag their hull. The idea on this hull is to be as light as possible, so they don't want any extra resin in their layup. However, I think that most of them paint over the whole hull, so they may deem your imperfections as acceptable.

I'm not sure if this will help you or not. It might just waste your time, but I figured that I would throw it out there.

Thanks Josh The pursuit of learning is never a waste of time, and the time I spend looking through the sites you provided will be a drop in the bucket compared to the time I've already spent :laugh: Leon is helping me out with some additional mold making material, so I'll start prepping the other sidecover and my tailpiece for constructing the molds.
A long time a go I bought an undercoating spray gun off ebay for $10. I need to take a look at it and see if I can use it to spray gelcoat. If it can (it should) then I'm home free :woohoo: