Hi guys,
Recently decided to take the plunge into starting some carbon skinning.

My reason for this is I have always been unhappy with the fit of expensive, but cheaply made carbon parts from China! Also the amount of UV fade they suffer with.

So I’ve decided what better way to get a nice fit than to skin the original part!

Spent weeks watching the Easy composites video step by step before I took the plunge and bought the starter kit.

Lots of little mistakes made first of all, but I have learnt what’s needed to stop it next time.

Really enjoying it, it’s been great, apart from the final coat of XCR epoxy seems to be getting lots of air bubbles or a reaction to some sort as the bubbles/little lumps keep coming back as soon as I apply the final coat (3rd coat)
I’m unsure if I’m mixing the epoxy wrong- but I didn’t have the issue with the first few coats.
Or (get ready) I think it’s a reaction too the cleaner I’m putting on the piece (mix of IPA and window cleaner to degrease the piece) so tomorrow will be the second time I’ve had to sand my 3rd coat off and try again.

Won’t use the glass cleaner mix tomorrow and see how that reacts.

Genuinely think this is a great forum, easy composites have been great too, very very helpful.

Looking forward to being involved

Thanks guys

Hi Jack,

Welcome to the forums and it's great to hear you're enjoying your first foray into composites with the skinning kit. Skinning is definitely an art and a skill and, ironically, one of the more challenging techniques to master in the world of working with carbon fibre. If you can perfect skinning then you're well set to work with carbon fibre in other ways too.

You mentioned that you're struggling with the 3rd application of the XCR coating resin and that you're getting some air entrapment at that stage. This would be most unusual and hard to explain because you've already indicated that you don't have any problems with the 1st or 2nd applications. Since there should be no difference in the material or the process for the 3rd application then we can say with confidence that it is a reaction to something that you're doing between the 2nd and 3rd application. From what you've described, I'm really struggling to understand why you're doing what you're doing after the second layer. With skinning you have two options for each new application of resin, either apply the next coat when the previous one is at the 'b-stage' or - if the previous layer has fully cured - 'key' the previous layer with abrasive paper (scratch the whole surface) and then apply the next coat onto that keyed surface. There are no other options which will ensure a good bond between layers. There's no reason in the skinning process why you would ever want to wipe the previous layer with IPA or window cleaner! If the previous layer has fully cured then it needs keying, then just wipe the dust away and on you go with the next layer. If it's not fully cured (is at the B-stage) then you just apply the next coat directly onto that previous (tacky) layer.

For what it's worth, the reason IPA and/window cleaner are causing the problem will be because the resin you're applying them to is not fully cured. Your IPA is likely to contain water, your window cleaner certainly will (as well as vinegar/acid) and the vulnerable - not fully cured - resin is absorbing some of the this water and vinegar. Then, when you apply your next coat some of this water and cleaner is contaminating your last coat.

My advice: stick to the process recommended in the guide; apply the 3rd coat at the 'B-stage' of the previous coat, directly onto the tacky resin. Drop the window cleaner and IPA and you should be fine.

Good luck! - Post some pictures

Matt

Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales

For me, coming from an area in motorsport where carbon is either cheap and from China, absolutely crap fit, and doesn’t last long at all.

Or the complete other end, where it is extremely expensive, the skinning for me keeps the original OE fitment of the part, and also a lot of parts aren’t available for certain vehicles yet. So just gives me “ go to” as such.

I will be moving onto moulding eventually tho. Have to start somewhere don’t we

Yes good point, I’ve no idea why I did it to be honest, but every day is a school day.

Thank you for the help and the reply.

Will most definitely post some pictures up tomorrow once I have completed it

Great stuff, look forward to seeing your progress.

Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales

Their response rate is fantastic. Its really a good one