Carbon Fibre On Fibre Glass

[X-Modcarz]

Now I know that a lot of bodykit parts are done this way but my question is is it possible to go back to a fibre glass part and lay carbon fibre on it at a later stage?

If yes, does anyone here know for sure what is involved, steps we should take to get a good finish, time for setting, clear coat layer(s), etc?

Say the part is a side-skirt, is off the car and in primed state with no paint on.

Edited April 28, 2010 by X-Modcarz

[GUN_METAL_GTR32]

dude just go out and buy genuine carbon parts instead of all of that f**king around.

[Carbon 34]

yes providing you use Epoxy resin instead of cheapo fiberglass resin

I do it all the time

[X-Modcarz]

dude just go out and buy genuine carbon parts instead of all of that f**king around.

Dude I told the lottery that it was my turn but they said to wait a bit longer.

If you haven't realised, the carbon parts aren't cheap.

Plus will be a good skill to learn.

[Pezhead]

there are some tutorials on youtube and around the web if you google. I agree even buying carbon cloth at the local $75 a yard makes any carbon work expensive. I purchased some carbon from the US for about $30 / yard to do exactly what you are looking to do.

You can even Carbon overlay other parts like trim and interior pieces. The final gloss is done by layering three coats of epoxy and then wet sanding & polishing it back.

Also if you do plan to do this work then be sure to really scuff up the surface of the fibreglass to ensure the epoxy/carbon has a good bond to the existing layup.

I plan to post a tutorial after I'm done but it's going to be a few weeks or a month yet to go.

[Carbon 34]

cost, here in OZ 13 bucks for weave of fiberglass, close to 100 for carbon depending on weave. 100 plus for resin, and lots in various extras

you need light GSM to overlay parts inside the car, the thick stuff wont contour right.

its not as easy as most people think, even using youtube vids

very fussy to work with if you want perfection

to lay it up the weather must be perfect to your hardener or it can blister,not set at all, get cloudy,etc

[jdmser]

I'm planning on doing this to a fiberglass cowl for my S14. I like the Origin hood but the cowl looks to short for my intake and $729 for a frp hood is ridiculous.

[Pezhead]

Hey this is a great resource with lots of folks trying like us to learn to do this expensive stuff. Some of the results are good others well, nice to see folks posting up their attempts so that we can learn from what they are doing.

You have to register to see the posts in the threads. And there is a specific thread on Carbon including vacuum bagging, overlay and carbon moulds.

www.fiberglassforums.com

[NZM.031]

also... vacuum bag FTW... sucks it into all the corners and needs less resin = less weight..... however, if your going to go to all that work...

why not make up a mould of the skirt and then make an actual c/f part??

by adding the c/f and extra resin to the outside of the skirt... your just making it heavier and doing it for show reasons only... in which case you mayswell get some adhesive backed c/f cloth..

[X-Modcarz]

also... vacuum bag FTW... sucks it into all the corners and needs less resin = less weight..... however, if your going to go to all that work...

why not make up a mould of the skirt and then make an actual c/f part??

by adding the c/f and extra resin to the outside of the skirt... your just making it heavier and doing it for show reasons only... in which case you mayswell get some adhesive backed c/f cloth..

Is there such a thing as adhesive backed c/f cloth? I am really new to this.

[nismoman]

Yeah, stick on Carbon look. A guy on nissansilvia has virtually covered his whole car in it!!!

It would be perfect for what you want it for. The look of carbon, without the $$$$ or weight saving.....

[NZM.031]

theres a guy doing it in the cosmetic/styling section.. hes done a fair few bits with 3M stuff.. check him out.