Lightest option for color (paint or otherwise) in carbon fiber part


Lightest option for color (paint or otherwise) in carbon fiber part
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quinn
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I'm doing a lightweight part, the helicopter canopy mentioned in my other post, and it will need some accents of color. Maybe about 20% of the surface, probably red, and the rest left clear carbon. I'm trying to decide the best way to do this. One thing i considered is no paint and just use vinyl stickers after the part is complete. I have a cnc that can be used with drag knife for cutting any vinyl shapes I might want. Other option is painting but i don't know what the best method would be. In the mold before lay up? After the part is done and paint the outside? Also it will most likely be somewhat detailed patterns so I'm not sure how that would be done inside the mold on top of pva before lay up. I'm sure you can't use masking tape and expect it to peel off without taking the pva. I also saw the post mentioning using vinyl stickers in the infusion which also might be a good option if that works well. 
What will give the lightest weight and/or best look? Maybe one is a sacrifice of the other. Vinyl stickers on the outside would be super easy, but not sure how that will be for weight compared to paint, also probably wouldn't look as nice as something applied in the mold during lay up. 
Suggestions?
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quinn
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Warren (Staff) - 8/9/2018 3:41:55 PM
I would expect a thin layer of paint to be the lightest method. You would need a super thin vinyl to compete with a thinly sprayed paint layer.  You could mask the part in vinyl using the cutter to cut the shapes for you. Then peel it off once painted.

So are you thinking just do it on the outside after part is done? Or inside the mold? If I do it on the outside, I would assume i have to rough up the surface and then I'm probably commited to doing a clear coat on the whole thing after the paint right? 
I suppose I could cut pattern, lay them in the mold on top of pva with no adhesive and very carefully airbrush, then lift the pattern off? How do guys normally paint patterns inside a mold?

Edited 7 Years Ago by quinn
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