Yup I'm putting it on properly(the way you just said). I waited about 24 hours at 68*f to de-mold and it felt dry. The first one felt sticky when I pulled it off this one did not.

I can tell by the way the "good" parts of the bezel look its going to be real cool when I get it right.

A guy that has done something like this with his lights said he used a "bi-directional pre-preg". Is all 2X2 twill "bi-directional"? I'm not sure I know what he meant, the fabric I'm using can be stretched in 2 directions.

post #7

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-tech-performance/2996182-carbon-fiber-diy-pics.html

2*2 twill is bidirectional. Bidirectional means that your fabric has fibers going along two directions. In 2*2 twill case, its going 0° and 90°. You can find fabric with fibers going in 1 direction, and I know fabrics with fibers in 4 directions.

For me, the part is looking like the fabric did not apply properly to the resin. It looked the same in the corners in a part i made in early tests I made with vacuum bagging. Since I did not massage corners enough, there was some resin on the mold but fabric did not stick right to it. So the part looked like with some areas with "half voids" if it makes sense.... And the resin left on the mold would demold with scraping it with plastic stuff.

If you "force" the fabric with your brush in a corner/area (trying to wet it for example), fabric could release from the mold surface in an opposite area, since the fabric could not extend more. Same story could happen with bristle rolling process. Thats the sad part of fabric, compared to mat.

So, not like what you said in the other forum, its not that "their easylease will not release"... Problem is elsewhere.

 



 


    A $1000 electronic device will always protect a 10 cents fuse

Yea that came across wrong, its obviously my inexperience with composites not the materials.

This is quite frustrating starting with such a complicated piece. I think Ill skin my phone case just so I can have 1 successful piece under my belt.

I understand it so well. During my early days I had parts i needed to redo like 5 times. Frustrating as hell.

And even now that I am more or less "experienced", I pay attention to everything cos "we never know". i have to admit that switching to vacuum process made my life easier.

I understand it could cost an arm and a leg before you get it right, I've been in the exact same situation, but dont quit, cos composites are great, usefull, and challenging, so when u'll get it right u'll be like a child in a candy store. And man, is a carbon fiber part so much more "tasty" than candies

Good luck, 383.

 



 


    A $1000 electronic device will always protect a 10 cents fuse

I modified the mold for vacuum



Will the new putty stick to the dry putty? I hope so or I just wasted 1550g putty.

How much gell coat should I mix to cover my new flange it measures 2.3/4" X 48"(inches)

Thanks

Chris

I ordered your vacuum kit on Friday and its already here!! Great packing and super fast shipping! The rest of the world could learn a thing or two from EC. If I may make one suggestion tho, the vacuum pump only has a UK wall plug. Maybe an adapter for your US customers or at least a warning. I did not realize the plug would not work in the US. I'm trying to find an adapter now, any suggestions?

Pretty much any travel store or electrical store should have an adaptor.  Unless of course youre in one of those places in the US where the acknowledgement of life outside the USA is non existant.    You could of course just fit a US plug.  Remember to ensure the voltage is set correctly on the pump too.

The plug from my desk computer works for the pump.

 I keep getting these two folds on either side of the light openings. I tried to tape on the flange with no success. Then I bagged the whole part with a piece of cardboard under it so the bag wouldn't pop on the mold. The bag was easier to work with but those 2 folds are getting me SO FRUSTRATED!

 I thought the bagging process would help flatten out the folds I was getting during wet lay but they just crease the flap and keep me from being able to reposition because its in a bag.





This part is not even touching the mold as well as the whole outside "lip" it wont tuck under.

are the folds in the carbon itself or just the mesh??

you can cut the mesh up to make it lay better.

Some are just the mesh but the 2 at the ends are carbon. Very frustrating at this point. I think I need a whole new mold with HUGE flat flanges all around so I can lay flat square pieces of carbon and use the stretch bagging to help with the contours. I'm tapped out with funds and ideas at this point. I don't even have enough gel coat or putty to make another mold!! This is exhausting!

my resin just got here and is too cold to use tonight but ill try tomorrow. I have to re-bag anyways because I poked a hole in it with the bottom of the mold(cardboard broke under vacuum)