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

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.

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

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

Take the mould back to gel by cleaning it with mould cleaner and giving it a good scrub and starting again with easylease.

Ive never had a problem with easylease applied properly although i do drink the stuff......

You sure the part had properly cured before demoulding???

Are you applying the easy lease properly? 

What am I doing wrong with the easy lease? It still sticks to the mold after 4 coats.

Better this time but not good yet. Im going to PVA and vacuum

By EC i mean Easy Composites.  Watch thier infusion video

What is the "ec" method

OK so I couldn't wait...



I used 3 cuts by the openings and some scrap carbon "band aids" over the top of the cuts and some of the pin holes.
I figure this one CANT come out worse than the last one, right?
we'll see