I took delivery of my mould making and carbon laminating starter kits this week and want to start my first project. I split my rear view mirrors this evening and wanted to ask for advice on how best to get started with this one.

I was going to start by rubbing down the mirror first and smoothing out any imperfections cause by taking it apart, spray it with some paint and polish it up again and finally mount the whole lot on a board and use some card and modelling clay to get it sitting in position and no more gaps.






Few questions I have:
How best do I deal with the lip thats on the cover, should I trim it of and add a small lip after I make the part?
How many layers of CF should I use, is one layer enough? Can I reinforce one layer with the woven glass cloth?

Hi, are you trying to remake/copy the cover or make a CF skin to go over it?

I want to try and re-make the cover.

I was thinking about it, if I left the lip on I won't be able to remove the part from the mould, so best to trim it away or could I cover it over with clay?

Hi, i would recommend to take the lip off.

Thanks Carbon Gorilla. I'll go with 1 layer of CF and then maybe 2 layers of the woven glass, I don't want to use up to much cf for now until I get the hang of it. Would 2 layers of CF be enough or would it need a 3rd when I'm comfortable making it properly.

Is this the video you mean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qKrl1PPvliQ

I've watched it a few times now and I'll also have the written instruction next to me.

Gotta get that cover nice and shiny first though!

Yup that's the video.......I would use 3 layers however haven't tried 2 layers...I will try it today and let you know....happy building.........

Thanks and let me know how you get on!

I hope to finish preparing the part today and start the mould at some point tomorrow.

Wing mirror all prepped and mounted on a board



I should have painted it after primer and flatting, there's a good layer of clear coat on it, flattened with 2000 wet paper and polished with the da

And here's the gel coat, used up just about half so if this works I'll have enough to do the other mirror and have a pair

What clear coat did you use 2k or rattle can? if its rattle can you may have release issues. especially as the clear coat is probably still not fully cured given the time scale of the project so far.

Carbon Copies Ltd

Crap is all I can say! Rattle can and you are probably right, never though of it.

I won't know till next week when I'm home again before I can pull it apart.