Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Toe guard - 1st infusion attempt

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic5607.aspx

By Chris - 3/31/2013 8:24:29 PM

So, my goal is to make a full fairing eventually for mine and a few other bikes but I needed to start off small. After making an engine case cover wet laying carbon and kevlar I decided infusion was the way to go. 

I made a mould for a toe guard from a ali guard I have had on my bike for years. It took a bit of work and this was a practice mould as the final mould has the pattern repeated 3 times to make a few at once. 

Getting the vac bag to seal was a bit of an issue, I couldn't find the leak for love nor money so resorted to starting over with a fresh price of film etc. Perfect, I must have nicked it some how. 

The video tutorials were nice and easy to follow so it all went as expected, even if I had to put the whole lot in with the boiler as it was so cold the resin was still as it was mixed 7hours later. 

On taking it out of the mould there were a few air bubbles in the surface (how do I go about reducing this when mixing??) and the top 2 corners the cloth can't have been into the corners fully as the resin chipped off there was so much there. Also I was a bit too excited to de-mould so it wasn't fully cured, this could have caused the resin to chip on the corners. 



Tuesday I plan on ordering some GC50 gelcoat so I can get the corners sorted. If I use a heat gun on this will it make the bubbles come to the surface and pop so I have a perfect finish?? I'll get another pic when the resin I've put on top to fill the voids has cured and been sanded, it is deeper than the pic makes it look. 

Any other advice is welcome........
By Chris - 4/12/2013 8:56:28 PM

Bit of an update here, I had a few issues with the release from my triple mould so bought some easy lease (WHAT a difference!!!) to try again. 

There are a couple of wet spots in the gel coat as can be seen in the picture, but other than that I'm happy. 



Having some success with the carbon has re-inspired me to work on my project bike i'm rebuilding. I kind of lost my enthusiasm when my second son arrived last year but think I can get back to it now!!

I've got this front fairing support on the way from the states with a few other bits, how easy would it be to replicate in carbon? Would have to be wet lay I assume from some form of jig? It doesnt have to be round so am open to suggestions..............