I would like to carbon skin a part and I have a question regarding the 'tack' time before applying the carbon.  The part I want to skin is quite large and has complex surfaces.  I don't want the resin base coat to be really tacky as once you lay the carbon it is very difficult to manipulate into position within damaging the weave pattern.   Therefore, could you lay the carbon earlier, so that the base coat is not so tacky and allows you to manipulate the carbon ? The process states 1-2 hours, but laying on after 10-30 minutes, would this cause any issues ?

If the part is dark, then you shouldn't have any colour issues putting the fabric down earlier.  It is possible some of the basecoat will begin to soak through but if you wait until it has begun to thicken slightly then this should not present a problem.

The main issue is the lack of tack would mean that some corners and edges the fabric may well lift or move slightly. In your case the priority is ability to re-position the fabric so this might not be such an issue when compared to the problems of the fabric being stuck permanently if you wait for the typical tacky phase.

Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant