So I’ve had a bash today with just a plain square clock so it’s very easy just one piece to layer which I’ve done and all went perfect (obviously as it’s so easy) and the next piece I’ve done is a cup holder that sits in the van that was custom made. A LITTLE bit more intricate but nothing major. This has had its 3rd coat of resin so I’ll be doing the cut outs in the morning and sanding it down and trimming the overhang bits and then it’s final coat .

All I can say is this is INCREDIBLY enjoyable to learn all of this. I look forward to doing some very intricate dash panels and using the vacuum bagging kit that I’ve boufht off easy composites. Not to put resin in but to make sure the carbon sticks to the base coat perfect in all the little crevices and stays there until cured . Will update and the bedrooms getting changed into the carbon room. En suite knocked through to two cupboards that aren’t beside it and a long ‘urinal’ style looking sink for all the wet sanding work. Should be sweet . Also in order an extraction system so that any odour (I can’t even smell it tbh so far) and dust from dry sanding will go straight outside through a filter . Got the idea from what bodybuilding tanning companies use.

Update - loving working with carbon! Made some mistakes I’ve learnt from.

Some questions -

Who uses the XCR basecoat and do you rate it? I personally don’t - it takes hours to get to the tacky point just to be able to lay the carbon on which is time consuming in itself. And it doesn’t stick half as good in my opinion as the sticky spray glue (carpet tile type glue). Especially for intricate detailed areas. Anyone give their opinions?

Next important question is who polishes and who laqeurs ? I want to try using laquer I think it’ll save a lot of time on wet sanding up to such a fine grit and all the polishing too? If so which is the best laquer to use? How many coats is usually needed? And does the laquer need to be wet sanded and polished aswel?

Many many thanks for any input I can get. This is all a big learning curve for me.