Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Do I have to use vacuum bagging to get decent results?

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic14968.aspx

By HarrisonC - 2/4/2015 5:29:10 PM

Hey,

So I have been researching how to do carbon fibre laminating for quite a while now and have come to the stage where I am unsure as to what equipment I need to get quality carbon fibre parts. In one of the CarbonMods videos on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAdVO8Rkv6c) and they use a method where you don't need to do resin infusion using a vacuum bag. Now I am only 17 and have little funds for the pump and other equipment needed for the vacuum method, especially seeing the prices on EasyComposites, so wondered if I can get away with making quality parts this way.

I should mention that I want to do a few trial laminations in a mould made from a 3D printed part and finally go on to creating a replica Formula 1 racing wheel.

Cheers,
Harrison
By fgayford - 4/12/2015 2:10:12 PM

Hello Harrison
The video you referred to shows the carbon fiber skinning method.
I have used this method and have got results that are absolutely perfect. I do a lot of infusion and prepreg autoclave work and you would not know which method was used by the results I got with the skinning method.
Just make your steering wheel and skin it as instructed on the video. Wet sand and clear a number of times until perfectly flat and then polish.
There is only one thing to keep in find. Don't even think about using regular epoxy resin, you MUST use the special skinning resin sold on this site. I know because I tried regular resin, its not thick enough in viscosity.The skinning resin is super thick.
Hope this helps
Fred