Making Carbon Fiber Parts

[Daves69Coupe]

Im looking to start manufacturing some of my own carbon fiber pieces, from what Ive seen online the hardest part of doing this is creating molds. Ive watched a couple tutorials and things like that and it seems like something I can pick up over time. Im gonna start small obviously maybe valve covers or something with simple geometry. Was hoping maybe somebody on the forums could guide me and or give me any advice with making parts. Any tips would be appreciated.

What companies do you buy the carbon fiber materials/mold making kits from?

Best practices to use?

things like that

[preston]

Google "Paul Bird" and see if you can find a copy of his document where he made his doors. Also his threads on the corral and corner-carvers has some tidbits. There used to a be a link to this document on "turbo mustangs" forum as well.

[elitecustombody]

I'd learn how to make simple fiberglass parts before getting in carbon fiber

[LateNight72]

http://www.fiberglast.com & http://www.uscomposites.com/ for supplies.


I agree with Stefan. Start with small pieces and making them out of fiberglass. Otherwise, you'll be loosing lots of money in scrap carbon... @ $50/yd, it's not cheap + materials, larbor, etc. First thing I ever modeled was a floor pan plug. I made the mold out of CSM and laid it up with some scraps of Aluminized Fiberglass...

Also, where/what exactly do you see yourself making and doing in regards to carbon fiber pieces? A couple trim pieces or more like hoods and fenders? Also, what type of quantities are you expecting to make? Just doing normal plug/mold layups without an oven, you'll only be able to make one piece per day per mold, and that's only on days that you have the right temperatures. There will be a lot of hidden costs in making and maintaining your molds.

[Daves69Coupe]

I was looking to make some smaller car parts then maybe down the road try and make a hood or fender mold but that is way down the road cause thats alot of time and money needed to create a mold that scale.



I was thinking a set of valve covers would be a good first project since theres not many angles and are relatively square. That or something even smaller.

[LS1-IROC]

I was looking to make some smaller car parts then maybe down the road try and make a hood or fender mold but that is way down the road cause thats alot of time and money needed to create a mold that scale.

I was thinking a set of valve covers would be a good first project since theres not many angles and are relatively square. That or something even smaller.

I've made a few CF parts. It's tricky...especially when you are trying to get your top layer to look perfect. I would never dream about starting with a valve cover. Start with flat simple pieces.

Here are some FRC's I built..took way to long to get them to look right.

[Daves69Coupe]

I've made a few CF parts. It's tricky...especially when you are trying to get your top layer to look perfect. I would never dream about starting with a valve cover. Start with flat simple pieces.

Here are some FRC's I built..took way to long to get them to look right.

thanks for the advice

ill start with something small, maybe like a badge or something idk, I'll see if theres anything car related I can make to start.

[WS6]

www.fiberglassforums.com is a good website for info on doing composites like fiberglass and carbonfiber.

[Daves69Coupe]

cool Ill check that out.

[tazzz25906112]

Wow very ambitious and cool..... you will want to start a part that is very simple and doesn't have to many curves or reliefs.... Also do some reading on the resign types as different parts require different approaches and resign..... All the above advise is good ,,,and good luck with your efforts as it is super interesting to work with these materials....

[90MJext]

http://www.turbomustangs.com/PBcarbonfiber.php

[wahmti]

you will want to use an epoxy resin it takes 24 hours to kick off (cure). The best looking carbon pieces are the one where the threads are all straight in line. That is what fools your eye giving it all of its depth. The easiest way to keep this straight is to use some spray glue and attach very light layer of glass to the back of the carbon. This keeps are the carbon strands in place while you work the piece in the mold. The epoxy over resin is so you have more time to work with the piece before it kicks off. Vynlester or pyleester kicks to fast. Then there is prepreg. You have to store this material below a certain temperature till you get ready to use it. Then you have to bake it. Little bit more equipment involved.

[Daves69Coupe]

http://www.turbomustangs.com/PBcarbonfiber.php

thanks for the awesome build link

[chuckd71]

That build link is pretty impressive. Massive amount of time put in but it looks cool.