Shrummi

So i have decided that i was gonna wrap my interior wood pieces with carbon fiber. I already have the carbon cloth in hand. I didn't know what to use as a protectant since it's pure carbon with nothing on it. You can pretty much move the fibers with your hand. So i came across 3m's clear bra. They use it as a car bra that's clear and invisible. I found a place that sells bulk of it and was thinking i'd lay that down and then the carbon fiber then wrap the wood pieces. Has anyone had any experience with this or ever done anything like this without paying someone to do it for them. if you have any advice please let me know thank you.

Nosser

Umm, that's not gonna work. At all.

Read this:

Making CF

If you want it to look right, that's the process you need to go through. Long story short, you will wind up paying someone unless you have access to all the equipment mentioned.

DHBomber

You're going to have to do an overlay. Basically, you're applying CF to the top of the piece with some kind of resin creating a CF exterior surface (like a surfboard). The overlaying process is pretty simple, but there are many different things you can do to get different results and it's also pretty easy to mess up. You're also going to have to get creative too. Sooo... before you go through with this project, buy some fiberglass (cheap) and resin and practice on other stuff before you try it on the interior pieces. If you mess up... you're going to have to remove what you put on and start all over again. Check out www.racingcomposites.net for some guidance and ideas. Sorry, I didn't take any pics while I was doing it but here are the results. I sanded the wood surface well, then sprayed a coat of black gelcoat. This prevents the wood from showing through the weave. One layer of CF with UV stabilized epoxy resin.

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...cture_0519.jpg
Passenger side, rear
https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...cture_0471.jpg
Whole thing. If you look closely at the reflection, you can see a little bit of texture. Originally, this was sanded smooth, and lightly buffed. But over time the CF will cause this. There are some ways of preventing, or at least minimizing this, but I don't mind (cause that's how you know it's real ).
https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...cture_0465.jpg
https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...cture_0434.jpg
https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...cture_0402.jpg
Twill weave carbon. Looks ok, but I prefer the standard weave on the interior. It looks more stock in my opinion.

Durrr

since i've been wondering this too, and really don't want to get into making my own, is there a service i can send my parts off to, and have them come back?

DHBomber

You can try racingcomposites.net I know he does overlays.
What year car do you have? I haven't taken apart the dash on my '92 yet to do the dashboard piece, but it looks like it should be no problem. On my '93 however (smashed ), it looks like the passenger airbag door might be tricky (again, didn't pull the dash). I can do the same for you as I did on mine, but there are some details that i'd have to go through with you. PM me if you're interested.

AutoCoutureSC

iTrader: (8)

If you want FULL CF replacements, prepare to spend LONG hours making a mold etc etc.

It took us over a week just to get a good mold working.

DriftGirl

iTrader: (6)

you can do it. Its just gonna take time doing an overlay process...even more if you're molding...

I used to build full carbon replacements back in the day ( My SC was the first to have this mod ) I just dont build SC stuff any more because of time and other 'things' goin on. Theres a couple cars that popped up over the years that look really nice with it tho.

SolShinobi

I'm pretty interested in this but have no idea how to do it, nor do i have the time.

Hmmm...kinda wishin someone could help me out here.

TRD_Power

wink wink nudge nudge

DriftGirl

iTrader: (6)

yeah, I dare anyone to say its not hood and trunk too center console, fenders, sideskirts, etc, etc...

not braggin in any way, Pretty 'old news' and its not really a big deal anymore.... just lettin it be known.

DHBomber

http://www.racingcomposites.net/unt?id=505
link to a overlaying tutorial. This is the process you'll have to use.

For something like this (cosmetic), building a mold just isn't cost effective unless you want maximum weight savings, or you want to produce multiple parts. If you're creating just one part, tooling up isn't worth it. On top of that, instead of just one layer of carbon, you're going to need at least three to have the same amount of stiffness and durability as the stock piece. For the overlaying process all you need is CF and one type of resin in very small quantities for this project.

With that said... I have made one of the molds already It's a little dusty cause it's been sitting for awhile...
https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...icture_053.jpg

Why? Because i'm too lazy to recreate this (for now at least)
https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...cture_0545.jpg
https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da...cture_0552.jpg

DHBomber

Better pics in this one.
http://www.racingcomposites.net/unt?id=12

Durrr

audio equipment installation is easy, I'm just not experienced with resins and other such CF making materials

CleanSC

That Alpine install is easy.

The carbon overlay is easier. If you don't demand genuine CF but something close that looks great, google a process called photogenesis. I know American Stitches will do it for you. It's falls right into the category of "send off and let someone else do it".

AutoCoutureSC

iTrader: (8)

wow! now that's a clean install...