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Hanaldo - 7/28/2020 11:50:33 PM

Well are you making a bonnet for an Hyundai Getz or a Cadillac Coupe Devill? 

You basically just need to know the size of the part you are making. If it is a 1x1m part, then you will need 1sqm of material per layer. How many layers you do and of what materials is kind of up to you, you need to know what sort of properties you want the bonnet to have. The EC video is a pretty good starting point for a typical layup, but you might want to think about if its a street application maybe include some Kevlar in the layup for safety in a crash, or if it is a race application then perhaps it is a bit of a heavy layup and could be refined, etc. 

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Hanaldo - 7/29/2020 3:24:08 AM

Probably because its a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' question. It depends totally on the application and what you are wanting to achieve. I've built dozens of vehicle panels, and the layup is pretty different every time. In fact a lot of the time if I make the same panel twice, the layup gets refined and is different virtually every time.

You would really need to tell us exactly what you are building. What vehicle it is, what panel it is, what its application is going to be (street, race, etc). For cosmetic panels, 0.65-1mm is generally thick enough. For structural panels, youre probably going to want 2mm up. Often when replacing metal panels, the simplest solution is just to make the carbon panel the same thickness, this way you will be around about the same strength at a significantly lighter weight. With the added complication that metal is quasi-isotropic and composites are not. Whether you use a core or solid laminate depends on what you need to achieve. 

It really is a bit impossible to answer based on what you've told us. It takes experience and knowledge to know the answer, which really means you either need to lean heavily on people who have the experience to tell you what to do (which isn't great for running a business) or you need to get some experience to make that knowledge your own. 

The better way to decide how much to order is to work out your start-up budget and decide how much you can afford. All composite materials will get cheaper the more bulk you buy. If you are intending to start a business, I would plan to purchase atleast one 50m roll of your cosmetic 3k twill/plain weave carvon, one 50m roll of a heavier 6/12k carbon for the backing plies, and then rolls of consumables like vacuum bag, peel ply, bagging tape, core material etc. Or if you are going to make 5 panels and see how you go, just buy 10m of each type of carbon and some of the consumables. But this is a difficult way to run a business, because you will be constantly chasing your tail for materials.

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Greg - 8/2/2020 7:28:24 AM

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martinpastor - 7/29/2020 1:42:23 AM

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Hanaldo - 7/28/2020 11:50:33 PM

Well are you making a bonnet for an Hyundai Getz or a Cadillac Coupe Devill? 

You basically just need to know the size of the part you are making. If it is a 1x1m part, then you will need 1sqm of material per layer. How many layers you do and of what materials is kind of up to you, you need to know what sort of properties you want the bonnet to have. The EC video is a pretty good starting point for a typical layup, but you might want to think about if its a street application maybe include some Kevlar in the layup for safety in a crash, or if it is a race application then perhaps it is a bit of a heavy layup and could be refined, etc. 

Thanks for the quick reply.
Im starting a workshop to manufacture parts such as hoods, mirror covers, lips, bodykits for cars. Therefore Id like to place an order to start this. but while watching the videos it wasnt clear how much of each material i would need. I just need an example of how much material you can use on an average hood, door ,etc to have an idea of what the first order should be to start manufacturing.

Hi Martin, I was just browsing through this site and wanted to ask what part of the world you are in?  I don't have any experience in the area of composites but I've been doing a lot of research.  Was just thinking that if you happen to be within a reasonable distance we could share ideas and learn together.  Not to mention, potentially splitting some shipping costs from Easy Composites to the USA.  Based on what I've seen in EC's videos, these guys have a great line of products and a successful process for doing this sort of thing.  Anyway, I am typically between Houston Texas, or Lexington Kentucky, but currently in Kiev Ukraine during the current Pandemic of 2020.  My current goals are to build some replacement body panels for my Ferrari 360 project that I purchased with some collision damage.  I really only need a single fender & bumper, but I'd like to explore the possibility of doing both fenders (or maybe a 1 piece front end), a custom front bumper,  custom hood with NACA duct, and maybe try doing doors if I can work my skill level up to it.  For example, a new replacement fender is about $2,400usd (1,950 British Pound) from Europe + approx 20% on shipping.  And quality used parts are not so abundant at a reasonable price. (why does everyone always damage the left front???)

To anyone else who may be in the USA and interested to potentially join forces on shipping costs, please let me know.  I'd love to be able to save enough on shipping to be an EC customer for their complete line of products! (not only the ones which are super cheap to ship)

Sorry to ramble on... if you're in the USA, let's please connect and see if there is an opportunity to work together.  If you're outside the US, then certainly I wish you much success and let us know how you're progressing!

Best wishes,
Greg