Carbon Fibre

OK so I want to play around with CF. But I cant find anything on the net to say how to use it. I would imagine the it is the same as fibreglass, which I can use. The biggest problem is how do I make a mould of what I want to make?? Also what stops the CF sticking to the mould??

I have found a 1m x 1m sheet for R300 which is not that bad cause it is quite big, but then you think of how many times I will mess up and then it gets pricey.

Anyways guys please help if you can, wanna try this weekend or next.

You can make a mould from polystyrene or wood or expanding foam. TIP
Spend lots of time on the finish.
Mould release is readily available

Practice on fibreglass first.

from what i have heard, carbon is another story to fibreglass.... for small things you might come right, but apparently the mould has to be perfect... alot of it is normally vacuumed moulded so as not to cause all those pit holes between the weave...otherwise, its just gonna have to be sanded big time and then a couple coats of clear....worse thing thats happens you loose 300 bucks....maybe you get it right and make millions....let us know what you making...

You can make a mould from polystyrene or wood or expanding foam. TIP
Spend lots of time on the finish.
Mould release is readily available

Practice on fibreglass first.

I was hoping to use something a bit firmer. Anyway how the hell would I carve the polystyrene into the shape I want or am I missing something??

I was thinking of something plaster paris or something for the mould, because I can take sand paper to it. Also read somewhere that you should paint it with PVC paint to get the smooth finish.

I wonder if you could use fibreglass for the mould?? Only thing is how to stop the fibreglass sticking to the part I want to replicate?!

from what i have heard, carbon is another story to fibreglass.... for small things you might come right, but apparently the mould has to be perfect... alot of it is normally vacuumed moulded so as not to cause all those pit holes between the weave...otherwise, its just gonna have to be sanded big time and then a couple coats of clear....worse thing thats happens you loose 300 bucks....maybe you get it right and make millions....let us know what you making...

Ja the only way I will learn is through trail and error, so Ill give it a bash. I want to make things like the electric window panel to start with, cause its nice and easy. Then I really want the center consol done, that is like my goal. But let me get the hang of it first.

a book called "competition car composites" by simon mcbeath, available from kalahari.net is a very good place to get this kind of info.

chapter listing:

1.materials
2.equipment and basic techniques
3.pattern making
4. making moulds
5. component manufacture
6.material upgrades
7.technology upgrades
8.pre-pregs
9.the professionals
10.motorsport applications

published in 2000.

makes nice bedtime reading!

Thanks VC will check it out.

Went to speek to a fibreglass company today and have a very good idea of how to do it now, will give it a bash this weekend just to make the mould. Just gotta get that releasing agent stuff to stop the mould sticking to the part. Electric windows are first.

RAMWAX!!!!! LOL No you can't use that on CF, I got plenty CF hours, let me know if you need help, I made my bumpers out CF