Skinning parts with vacuum assist?

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Skinning parts with vacuum assist?

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karlfranz	karlfranz posted 12 Years Ago HOT Topic Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 9, Visits: 72	Similar to this topic: http://www.talkcomposites.com/7357/Skinning-by-Resin-Infusion Is it possible to use vacuum in a skinning project? I was wondering if I could vacuum bag my part after putting the basecoat, carbon fabric and maybe the first coat of clear resin in order to make sure the fabric conforms to all the nook and crannies of the part. I understand that, based on Warren's reply in the other thread, it could require a bit more finishing work; but having the fabric conform to the shape properly is more important than that to me. If this is possible, could you recommend what items I would need to purchase for the vacuum process?
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wozza	wozza posted 12 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 688, Visits: 5.4K	I don't do much skinning these days but this is how I used to do it. Because skinning by nature is purely cosmetic structural integrity is not important. Apply the black base coat, allow it to dry to a full tack, you are just using it as an adhesive for the CF. Now lay on the CF the base coat will hold it in place. You can lift and reapply the cloth several times until you are happy ( pro finish won't work unless the part is flat or with a single curve) At this point you can either leave it for the base coat to cure further or vac bag it to pull everything down. This will make sure the CF is tight against any edges. Leave it to cure further, Remove the bag (if used) and then apply a heavy coat of Coating Resin, go over the entire surface with a heat gun, any air bubbles in the resin will pop and the resin will thin and self level. It will actually begin to drip off the part so put it on a piece of scrap cardboard or similar. Leave to fully cure and a quick buff should be all that is needed. If the base coat is too wet when you apply the CF then the base coat with come through the cloth onto the surface and ruin the whole look of the finished part. This will be even worse if you vac bag it. If the part you are skinning is already black then a coat of the clear Coating Resin can be used as a base coat. On really difficult parts/shapes you sometimes have to just "wet" the CF with resin to allow it stretch/conform. This is why I hate skinning It is often quicker and with better results to take a mould and use Infusion. Warren Carbon Copies Ltd Edited 12 Years Ago by wozza
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Warren (Staff)	Warren (Staff) posted 12 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Administrators Posts: 2.5K, Visits: 8.5K	What Warren says is correct. Due to the difficulties already mentioned, we don't generally advise any vacuum processing of skinning at all. If the part is too hard to do skinning, then you really want to consider moulding it as it will in the long run probably save you time and expense in wasted materials. Warren Penalver Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant
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