RED Carbon Fiber wrapping :)

[Slick]

Before I begin, I would like to give a BIG thanks to Brian for pointing me in the right direction and for the awesome advice he has given me. He has literally taught me all there is to know about wet-laying CF.

Anyway, I'm going to use this as my progress thread. I have never used real CF before, so I am taking my time :)

EDIT: High res pics of some of the completed pieces are on page 3, post 40

So I bought some Red CF from soller composites. Here is a close up of the weave.
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Since I am new to working with CF I decided to start with something flat that also had a gentle curve. I chose the middle armrest trim piece from the liftback. Here is a picture of it with two light coats of flat black, painted in case the grey somehow managed to show through on accident.
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Here is the CF square I cut out
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I applied the CF using 3M super 77 because of its quick tack time. After learning how to use the 3M without getting covered in it, here is the final result.
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Overall, the weave is straight, and that is what is important.
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Here is the piece with the first coat of epoxy on. Dry times vary, but I'll end up putting about 3 more coats after this.
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So far so good, no problems encountered yet. But all this work spanned about 5 hours, so i'm working slowly and taking my time so I dont have to redo anything.
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I still have 3 coats to do and the lots and lots of prep work and sanding.

Thanks for looking. I'll keep updating the thread as I accomplish more. Sorry for the pic quality, gotta love the iphone. :thumbup:

[Brian]

Colors come in pink, white, purple, light blue, blue, red, orange, yellow, green, lime green, and gray. Cf wrapping is a lot easier than it looks. Just ask Slick. He's doing very well for his first time.

[Slick]

And the master has spoke! :) Yeah PK, its a little daunting at first, but once you actually get in to doing it its a lot less difficult. There is a small learning curve, but the same can be said for anything. The best way to describe how this cf feels and moves is to compare it to dental floss, except its more dense. It feels very similar and molds/bends with ease. Im loving every second of this project. :D

[Slick]

Well, the place to go is sollercomposites.com. Unfortunately, the combo colors are one color of your choice, then Kevlar, which is black. But they have two shades of blue, dark and light.

[Slick]

I did the trimming today. After some trial and error I figured out how to trim the cf without it trying to fray. Here is a pic of the only turn and curve.
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Here is a pic of the test fit
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I love how the kevlar really pops at different angles of light
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Overall everything is going smoothly. I'll be adding the rest of the coats of resign today and then its more sanding. Lots n lots of sanding. Hope you enjoy :)

[Slick]

Im sanding the CF fabric itself. Normally, when you add the resign to the cf, the fibery cf becomes stiff and hard and then its a breeze to cut with a dremel using a sanding drum or cutting wheel. Unfortunately, I added a VERY thin layer, so the cf soaked up most of the resign and it didnt actually become stiff enough for me to sand it with out fraying easily. I used the cutting wheel for the dremel to cut all the excess off while leaving about a quarter inch before the actual piece of trim. Then using a combo of super sharp scissors and a exacto knife, I slowly cut around the plastic trim to get the flush look. The cf is stiff enough to cut and not fray, but not enough to withstand a dremel.

However, after I put my next coats of resign and they dry, I will use the sanding wheel to get back to the flush look it has now. I hope that helps :) I did learn now though that I should use a little more than very little to coat the cf, especially near the edges that need trimming.

[Astroman]

I think its going to look REALLY good when you're done! The red car with the gray wrapped in the red CF is going to be killer. I'm tempted now to do the same with my car, although mine is silver with lots of black carbon fiber on the outside now.

How much thicker is it now? I'm thinking of doing my stereo/hvac bezel...

[Slick]

I'm not sure yet. I still have two coats of resign and clear coat to add. However, there will be alot of sanding. So idk the final thickness. It's about 1/32" extra now. Give or take a bit.

[Slick]

Today I started on three more pieces of trim. These are the two short armrest pieces on the end, as well as the other middle armrest trim. I definitely improved my wrapping technique. However, that didn't stop me from totally bending one of the end trim pieces over and having my way with it. Sorry no pics But yeah, lets just say that I waited to long for the 3M to tack and then not long enough. Ending with the black paint underneath worming its way through the CF and smearing all over the top. But hey, I trashed that piece of cf, sanded off the glue, repainted, and my second attempt on that piece turned out perfect Heres a pic of the three parts wrapped.
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I added the first coat of resign to those three pieces a little later, as well as another coat to the first one I was working on. Hopefully only one more coat on the first piece and then it will be ready to be sanded :w00t:

[.Kevin.]

I will be the first I guess to be a party pooper and say I don't like it. BUT I do like your enthusiasm and that you are happy with it. So I will keep lurking this thread it looks nice for what you are trying to do, but doesnt appeal to me i nthe way I'd do it.

Keeping track of the thread! Good luck!

[Slick]

Dont worry, there is always a sour puss. Keep in mind though, none of the pieces are in no way near being finished. But, here's a thought, I would love to see what you would come up with. There are lots of colors and styles. Are you up to the challenge :) And thank your for your support. It's always good to have both sides of an idea present.

[Slick]

Today I did the first trim of the three new pieces. I have to add another coat of resign to help stiffen the CF a little more before I can get the good trim going. Heres a pic of all the pieces I'm working on now. The three new ones only have 1 coat of resign and my first pieces has 3 now. The first piece is almost ready to be sanded, I think one more coat will be all that it needs
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There is a major difference in the way the CF looks with resign. Thanks for all the comments. I'll be adding the second coat to the new pieces and hopefully the final coat on the first piece a little later.

[YarisSedan]

I think it looks good without resin too. Makes it look almost like a oem fabric

[Slick]

I agree, the red CF does look good even without the resign. However, it would be impossible to keep from messing up the CF without resign. The CF weaves move out of place very easily, which is why all the edges are taped up before adding resign. All it would take is one good tug or push to disturb the weave.

[bzinn 1]

Very nice work......keep it going,it will look great,I so wanna do the same to mine,using the Neffy and also dry weave for many accent parts....I miss working with CF.....used to work for Boeing...don't fly lol.....

[Slick]

Just a quick update. I'm slowly adding the resign layers to the three newest pieces. The good update is that I finally got around to sanding the first piece. I did a wet sand with 1500 grit and then used some Meguairs Ultra Cut to removed the 1500 grit scratches. The piece is coming along nicely. Its pretty shiny/reflective now, however, when I add the clear coat is when the super shine comes in to play. So, heres to the future

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Unfortunately the sun is not out, as you can see the clouds in the reflection. The sun is what really makes the black kevlar pop. So far so good, i'll update again in the future when I get the clear on.

[Slick]

Not issues yet, it fits like OEM :) Although, every so often I go in and mock up the placement and trim where necessary. There is always that pesky drip of resign that likes to hide in odd places to hold off the trim. I was kind of bummed that I couldn't get a sun shot, but sometimes you have to work with what you have :)

[Slick]

Hmmm, sounds like plan. I'm excited about the three other pieces as well. The cf pattern almost lines up perfectly :)

[Slick]

Yeah, Brian and I have had several discussions as to the best way to wrap the pockets. In the end, he says he has tried but has a difficult time getting it to come out perfect. We discussed several methods, all of which are a pita, however I think he came up with a winner. So I will be the guinea pig on the pocket plan lol. The fall back plan is to paint it (insert preferred color here) and clear coat it so its shiny in the pocket and just wrap the CF down into the pocket over the edge a small bit.

That particular section is next on my wrapping list lol.

[Slick]

Yeah, that is the general idea. However, the first piece for the pocket is the pita part lol. CF acts like no other fabric; its firm and yet at the same time the weave can easily come apart. You can't bend CF around more than a couple of sharp corners without consequences. The hard part is trying to get the CF in the hole without it fraying during placement or fraying while adding the resign. Usually you keep the weave straight using tape on the ends, then apply the resign, then cut off the extra. The resign keeps the weave in place once dry. However, with the pocket, there is no way for tape to be applied to keep the weave straight.

Feel free to PM me with any questions or thoughts :)

[Slick]

Alright, here is another mini-update, I made another pass with the Ultra Cut and topped it with some Megs Deep Crystal Polish.

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I applied the clear coat a little after this picture was taken and its in the shop now drying. So, hopefully it will look twice as shiny/reflective as it does now. I should be able to touch it sometime later this evening. I'll update tomorrow when I get the clear coat wet sanded :) Im so close to finishing this piece I can taste it :D

[2009BBPliftback]

Amazing work. Love the finished product can't wait to see it installed! :eyebulge:

[DandiDani]

that looks great!!!!

[YAR1S]

amazing, love how it matches your car's colour!

[maxxman420]

Nicely done!

[az_saguaro]

I have used CF, Kevlar and fiberglass extensively while building an experimental aircraft (http://www.cozyaircraft.com/). Here are a few tips that I have picked up working with resin and glass.

Tip 1: First the fabric will almost always fray at the edges when cut. What we typically do is to wet out the fabric with resin about 1/4" to 1/2" past the edge of the material. Let the resin partially cure, the resin that I use takes a full 24 hours to cure and is semi cured at about 2 hours. Once it is partially cured take a sharp razor knife (utility knife) and you can trim the material nice and neatly without fraying. Knife trimming while it is partially cured will save you HOURS from sanding and cutting a fully cured piece.

Tip 2: None of the materials like to go around sharp corners without lifting off the surface and creating a bubble near the edge. To get around this I use plastic sheeting a thin sheet (about 3 mils) works well. After you wet out the fabric with resin lay the sheet on top of the fabric and then squeegee or stipple the sheet onto the wet fabric. The plastic will do two things, it removes the air from resin and when the resin cures you can pull the plastic off the surface with ease. It will leave the surface shiny and level.

Tip 3: If you don't know how to work with the fabric, it is less expensive to buy fiberglass and experiment with that, than to start with CF. You can buy what is known as a BID weave fiberglass that has very similar characteristics as the CF.

[Slick]

Very informative, thank you. Although, CF in my opinion isn't really that hard to work with. If there is one thing I can say to new people such as myself and others is to not be afraid of it. So far I have had excellent success with my first attempt and look forward to the rest of the project :D

[Slick]

Another update, I added the clear coat to the first piece last week and I was finally able to add the clear to two of the other pieces. So far they have came out just as I had hoped They still need a wet sand in a couple places and then some rubbing compound and polish and wax. But overall I am pleased with the way everything has come together. Let me know what ya'll think.

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Again, sorry about the photo quality. Im also sorry about the lighting; its dark outside so I had to find a place with as much light as possible (queue the chandelier) lol

[custom Lftback]

loooooooooking goooooooooooood :drool:

[2009BBPliftback]

Wow :eyebulge:

[slothman86]

looks truly amazing!

[Slick]

HURRAY! I have fully completed 3 pieces I also have decent high res pics to accompany them Today I put the hammer down and did the final wet sand, buff, polish, and wax on 3 pieces. These pieces are ready to be put back on the car. Sorry, no car pics lol. I learned the hard way the consequences of putting on and removing trim pieces too many times. Anyway, I am very satisfied with the end result. Although I think I could have done a little better job on the bigger piece, its the minor flaws that get me But overall I am a very happy camper. I hope everyone enjoys the pics!

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Thanks everyone for the comments and putting up with the other iphone pictures Enjoy!

[2009BBPliftback]

The finished product is absolutly amazing! Great work!!

[maxxman420]

want to put them in the car and then take pictures?

[Slick]

Maxxxxxx: I would rather not just yet. The right side has two of the three pieces finished, but the long armrest piece is still grey. The left side only has one pieces finished. Although the finished look would be close, I believe the missing and half complete panels would really take away from the overall effect.

[maxxman420]

true true, well i can't wait for the finished product. i hate correcting people but it is maxx, i got named after tj maxx hahahaha lame right

[why?]

true true, well i can't wait for the finished product. i hate correcting people but it is maxx, i got named after tj maxx hahahaha lame right

people have been named after much worse things.