19oz Carbon Fiber Experiment. Opinions???

[Switchblind360]

Hey guys. I ordered some 19oz 2x2 Twill carbon Fiber to see if its possible to use and how good it looks. This is the same fabric that was used in the B5 RS4 trim.

Tell me, do you like? Can you tell the difference from the standard 6oz or 12oz fabrics that are used for most CF parts, hoods, trunks, trim, mirrors, etc?

[djwimbo]

I like it. The stuff I really liked, IIRC, was called "H8". It's thick and used mostly for structural parts.

[1hotA4]

the Thickness of the Twell is what you see. Its not a huge difference. From my understanding on Carbon Fiber, the higher the OZ. or weight the more rigid you need the product to be. Are those the parts you made with it or the factory RS4 parts?

[Grangalan]

Looks pretty good :) Got anything heat resistant?

[gotaudi]

heat resistant would be all in the resin so all he has to do is change the resin type in order to have heat resistant properties. I am sure the resin he uses it pretty heat resistant you dont want his resin melting on a hot summer day.

[mike-2ptzero]

Looks pretty good :) Got anything heat resistant?

You plan on doing an overlay on your exhaust?

[dmaize]

hey that looks great. how hard is it to do the trim, i have done fiberglass before but new carbon fiber.

[Switchblind360]

hey that looks great. how hard is it to do the trim, i have done fiberglass before but new carbon fiber.

There you go. Carbon Fiber is just like fiberglass with the exception being that you are showcasing the fiber instead of hiding it.

[Mawhitey]

How hard is that to do? Do you have any tips as i like that look, i already have the CF beltline, but the hazard trim etc would finish it

[fred2ka4]

How hard is that to do? Do you have any tips as i like that look, i already have the CF beltline, but the hazard trim etc would finish it

There is a group buy going on right now that you can probably get in on to get the rest of the pieces to finish off you interior trim. Check the GB section.

[Switchblind360]

How hard is that to do? Do you have any tips as i like that look, i already have the CF beltline, but the hazard trim etc would finish it

There is plenty of information out there in order for you to do it yourself. The actual Carbon Fiber, resin, and clearcote isn't that expensive. IF you are handy and already have most of the tools for it in the garage you are set for a fun project. The biggest thing is that it takes a lot of time and patience, and order extra fabric because it may take two or three times to get it right.

[iconoclast]

check your email and pm.

[onemoremile]

There is plenty of information out there in order for you to do it yourself. The actual Carbon Fiber, resin, and clearcote isn't that expensive. IF you are handy and already have most of the tools for it in the garage you are set for a fun project. The biggest thing is that it takes a lot of time and patience, and order extra fabric because it may take two or three times to get it right.

It is a lot like paper mache' in 1st grade. You wet it and lay it on there. If you are looking for a perfect finish it is still pretty easy. A basic vac bag setup with soaker and peel plys will almost always have a perfect finish. If not, it can be sanded, wet sanded, and glossed like a paint job. The real trick is getting the weave lined up straight without any kinks, bends, or other imperfections. This is quite easy if care is taken to cut the raw material straight and to leave consistent gaps. In other words, if you are doing a piece of 1.5" wide trim you cut the material to 2.5" and leave and even 1/2" hanging over each side. Wet the substrate first, lay the carbon out and line it up, fold it over the back, bag it. There are a few steps left out but they are also simple and everything you've ever wanted to know is on various composite construction forums. Most that tinker with this stuff at home find it easier to deal with than welding or forming metals or dealing with wood.

For the trim another option is carbon fiber tape. It comes in rolls like masking tape and has finished edges that won't unravel. It is the perfect width for our trim and very easy to work with. It is still as much an art as a skill so practice on a few pieces of wood first.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com...map2&catId=522

[theskuh]

Are you (is he) just going over the top of the current trim as a mold? then bagging.

[jturnbull]

where do you buy this material?

[theskuh]

You can buy fiber all over the web. I use Raka epoxies. http://www.raka.com/

I haven't bought fiber or cloth in a while.

[jturnbull]

[QUOTE]You can buy fiber all over the web. I use Raka epoxies. http://www.raka.com/

I haven't bought fiber or cloth in a while./QUOTE]



would the tape that they sell work or would it just look like shit ??

[onemoremile]

Woven tapes would work. Request samples before buying since quality and weaves can vary.

You can also get soft tubes that resemble finger puzzles. We used these at Nuke Proof for our carbon center Atom Bomb hubs. I've got a piece at home that could wrap a basketball or be pulled down to about 4" diameter x 18" long. We used very thin wall aluminum cores about 6' long and then wrapped them and cut them to length after curing.

Just search google for composite supply, carbon fiber supply, or composite forums. I like West Systems for material and resin/hardener.

[le91688]

Saw the group buy and cant justify 800$ for cf trim.

[onemoremile]

Then make it yourself. It is a lot of money for pretty plastic.

[coyote]

That's what I did. I made my own.







If anyone is interested I can make more at a fair price.

[silverman]

what's a fair price? :)

[Tifun]

$100 is fair if you ask me.

[discontained]

coyote - Would you be willing to do the actuall door handles? Where the window switches are? LMK

[coyote]

I would be willing to do the trim pieces that I did again. If anyone is interested PM me.

[A4Rob]

Sent you a PM Coyote

[coyote]

All PM's responded to.

[audiFUEGO]

Honestly, you can charge a "fair" price for something like this and still make alot of money since I dont think theres one audi owner that doesn't want CF trim.

If you're good at it and have the extra time go for it... I'd do it if I knew how...

[AP-Specialties]

Honestly, you can charge a "fair" price for something like this and still make alot of money since I dont think theres one audi owner that doesn't want CF trim.

If you're good at it and have the extra time go for it... I'd do it if I knew how...

Definitely. Fair priced products will always sell

[bassed]

$100 is fair if you ask me.

For what? CF Trim? If so you are smoking something, the time alone is worth more than that when all said and done even if DIY'ing.

[AP-Specialties]

For what? CF Trim? If so you are smoking something, the time alone is worth more than that when all said and done even if DIY'ing.

And the bare oem trim is worth more that that alone

[mike-2ptzero]

For what? CF Trim? If so you are smoking something, the time alone is worth more than that when all said and done even if DIY'ing.

Wait till they try to buy the material which will cost about that before any work is started. Some people seem to think CF is cheap.

[mike-2ptzero]

Honestly, you can charge a "fair" price for something like this and still make alot of money since I dont think theres one audi owner that doesn't want CF trim.

If you're good at it and have the extra time go for it... I'd do it if I knew how...

Here, you can be a pro too.

[audiFUEGO]

Here, you can be a pro too.

sweet... thanks.

[mike-2ptzero]

sweet... thanks.

Now to just make a huge mold of my car, get a huge vacuum bag and I will be all set to make a CF B5 shell.

[A4Rob]

Now to just make a huge mold of my car, get a huge vacuum bag and I will be all set to make a CF B5 shell.

Tube frame that bitch and run 8's

[tdn]

Wait till they try to buy the material which will cost about that before any work is started. Some people seem to think CF is cheap.

Alright then, how about the fair price of $105?

It's looking great OP.

[audiFUEGO]

Now to just make a huge mold of my car, get a huge vacuum bag and I will be all set to make a CF B5 shell.

If I smoke a few bowls anything's possible...

[mike-2ptzero]

Tube frame that bitch and run 8's

LOL, only if I had the money.

I will be gunning for 9's in 2009. Car should be coming home very soon from having the cage done.

[audispeed]

Woven tapes would work. Request samples before buying since quality and weaves can vary.

You can also get soft tubes that resemble finger puzzles. We used these at Nuke Proof for our carbon center Atom Bomb hubs. I've got a piece at home that could wrap a basketball or be pulled down to about 4" diameter x 18" long. We used very thin wall aluminum cores about 6' long and then wrapped them and cut them to length after curing.

Just search google for composite supply, carbon fiber supply, or composite forums. I like West Systems for material and resin/hardener.

off topic, but you worked at nuke proof? i have those hubs from way back in the day!