Carbon fiber project

[jayjay]

Can't wait till u start replicating OEM parts so you can replace the old with the fibre and do some crazy weight reduction.

like the chassis?

[Golf Houso]

like the chassis?

And the 2.8L fatty under the bonnet? :
I'd start stripping the interior before I'd go making fancy body panels, the MK3 parcel tray and bootmat are like 10kg, I'd start there.

Oh and lovely CF work there, what about some CF wheel arches? They'd look the shiz'

[RhysQ]

like the chassis?

lol.....yep quickly do a mould up and get stuck into it!

great job on the CF btw, i would never have the time or patience for this type of work so credit to you sir!

[Soundofav6]

Replacement parts would be a an expensive challenge, the hardest process would probably be the attactment fabrication. Replacement for weight saving purpose would be impracticle, I have read some where for the mk3, for every ~70 kg weight saved would gain 1/10 of a sec in a quater mile run.

a meter square of carbon plus 1.5 liter of resin cost me $140 that weights about 2 kg all up

if my maths is right ...To replace 70 Kg with carbon would cost almost $5000.. remember that would only gain 1/10 of a sec in quater mile.

I think $5000 spent on a super charger would be more worth the money. LOL .

+ to have any structural strength you would need at least 5-6 layer of carbon coats, which means all $ for **** all. 1 layer of carbon I crush with my hands.

I am merely using carbon as an alternative to paint. ideally if time an money permits I would want to overlay all my exterior black trims with carbon. I am sure I wouldn't miss bumper blacking every wash.

initially I want more shine to have a distintive effect Bling Bling appeal. but I think differerntly now, from a distance it looks it has been painted black but only close up it shows the carbon effect. Stealthy I say..

What is your suggestion ray ???

[rayray086]

I am merely using carbon as an alternative to paint. ideally if time an money permits I would want to overlay all my exterior black trims with carbon. I am sure I wouldn't miss bumper blacking every wash.

initially I want more shine to have a distintive effect Bling Bling appeal. but I think differerntly now, from a distance it looks it has been painted black but only close up it shows the carbon effect. Stealthy I say..

What is your suggestion ray ???

Haha yeah that was what I was thinking - replacing the side moulding. My clips sucks balls and they keep popping out, so carbon fibre mouldings taped on with some good 3M double-sided tape should be nice.

[Soundofav6]

Just hope the tape is reliable and it wouldn't give.

an more cost alternative to that could a 2 part mold, with black gel coat, so the product woud come out shiny and black with original size. The only problem is to make a perfectly straight mould, otherwise it would not attact properly.


BTW I still have endless supply of fiberglass ~50 + meters worth if anyone needs it let me know.

[rayray086]

BTW I still have endless supply of fiberglass ~50 + meters worth if anyone needs it let me know.

HAHA I remember when we went to buy the huge roll... thinking they'd sell very quickly!!

Don't worry, I'll be buying a good length soon.

[smithy010]

Keep an eye out for a vacuum pump.

Find a mate who goes to uni (or yourself if you go to uni) and get him to check out all the skips around engineering/medical departments. In the last few years i've seen probably 3 or 4 pumps in the skip, and probably only because they are old, and using a bit of oil.

I'm sure a bit of vacuum film doesn't cost that much..

Then again, if you're getting a good finish without Vac, then why bother? Only for non-structural though, of course.

[RhysQ]

Keep an eye out for a vacuum pump.

Find a mate who goes to uni (or yourself if you go to uni) and get him to check out all the skips around engineering/medical departments. In the last few years i've seen probably 3 or 4 pumps in the skip, and probably only because they are old, and using a bit of oil.

sooo....you hang around bins quite a bit....

[Golf Houso]

sooo....you hang around bins quite a bit....

Why does everyone of these type of pictures come from the eastern bloc

[Soundofav6]

LOL.. thanks for your advice.. Even if I have one it would be a waste, I wouldn't know what else I can use it for, unlike a air compressor with it's diverse applications.

Speaking of which I know there are adaptors which I can convert into a vaccum pump, but the effeciveness of them are doubtful.

as you said the products has no structual puropses so no real need for one anyways.

[jamesatfish]

Those mirrors look great - certainly looks like you've perfected the process.

Where did you source the carbon from? I was trying to buy some a few months ago for a couple of projects but couldn't find a reasonable Australian supplier. I'd certainly appreciate the contact details of our source if possible.

[Soundofav6]

look up your yellow pages and look under fiberglass supplier.
You may also try any marine repair shops, PM me if you can't locate them, I am sure my supplier can ship.

[smithy010]

Alernatively, make friends with someone who works for hawker dehavilland in bankstown.

We've managed to build an entire solar car from their throwouts.. Except it's harder than you think, because it's all pre-preg, which is a different manufacturing technique.

[Soundofav6]

By the sounds of you you have relations to engineering ... Would you happen to have one ??