Making carbon fibre parts/moulds

[Jefr0]

Hi all

Been interested in doing this for a while. I have quite a bit of experience using fibreglass and I get on well with it. Here is an old project where I used fibreglassing and made my own induction part:

(Long read so just look at pics if interested)

https://www.scootershack.co.uk/threads/project-vx-complete-sold-find-me-a-125-180-2t-cheap.5463/

They do different kits. They do:

Making a mould
Making carbon fibre parts from the mould
Making carbon straight over the top of parts (no moulds, no going back)

I'd be interested in making a mould then I can make multiple parts.

The part I'll be making is carbon side covers for a Ducati 916 tank. I've read you can use something like cling film (there is proper stuff) and put straight over the painted tank not to damage it.

Then you can make a mould and then make carbon fibre parts in it.

Lots of videos and guides online which I've read. I'd need the two kits, making a mould and making carbon fibre parts. Totals around £80.

Before I buy this and attempt a go at it, does it look easier than it really is and what results have you had if you've had a go yourself??

Cheers

Jeff
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Rides: Honda XR 125 ('03) Honda CBR 600F ('91), Ducati 916 Biposto ('95)

[P.addy]

I've been reading up on it for ages now but still haven't found something easy to mould.

I've seen people use clay, play dough, expanding foam and stuff like that using a layer of cling film That might be the way I go...

[mentalboy]

That was a cool restoration, even if it was a ped. Most impressed.

Using carbon fibre is easy if you're used to glassing, take a gander at some of the stuff on the web about vac bagging, it makes for a lot lighter, more professional finish.

Edit: And now that I've read the rest of your post ( ), not too sure how well the clingfilm idea would work - fine for preventing damage to a good plug but whether you could get it taut all over without wrinkles is another matter. What about buying some old panels of flea bay, then you won't damage good stuff?
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Make mine a Corona.

[0l0dom0l0]

You need an autoclave to make proper carbon fibre
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CBT Passed: 30/08/2009, Theory Passed: 31/08/2010, Mod 1 Passed: 6/9/2010, Mod 2 Passed: 13/09/2010. Restriction ended 13/09/2012.

Bikes: 2007 Derbi GPR 50, 1998 Yamaha Fazer 600 (written off), 2002 Yamaha Fazer 600, 1994 CBR 600F, 2003 Triumph Daytona 600, Kawasaki ZX6R J1.....Current: 2006 Yamaha FZ6, 1998 Suzuki TL1000R and a Honda VFR 400 NC30.

[mentalboy]

[Nobby the Bastard]

You need to supply heat and pressure to pre-preg to get it to cure properly at the highest possible strength.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[mentalboy]

But it's not a necessity to use pre-preg.
Polyester or epoxy resins both work well but ideally you want to look for a clear resin otherwise you'll get discolouration.
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Make mine a Corona.

[lihp]

You need pre-preg and an autoclave + vacuum for structural parts, like several high end vehicles using carbon chassis, and carbon suspension components.

But you absolutely do not need pre-preg carbon and an autoclave for making some engine covers.

Make a fibreglass mould with a tooling gel, then lay up the carbon part the same as you would with fibreglass. The only difficult part is laying the carbon so the weave is straight and neat, but if you're painting it anyway, it doesn't matter.

[mentalboy]

^^^ Agreed!
This is where Carbon differs from using glass. If you've only used chopped strand then you'll find it more challenging to use Carbon, I'd try using a heavy woven glass to practice if you've not used woven mat before, tight profiles can be an arse without bagging.
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Make mine a Corona.

[Fizzer Thou]

'RIDE' magazine did an article in the Jan '14 edition about how to make a case cover for a CBR600 and it seemed quite straight forward.When I bought a clutch and stator cover for my R1 they were only about £30 each but I have since contemplated making some for my KTM enduro.
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Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[Jefr0]

Cheers for replies all, I'll have to look into what you've said.

These were the kits I was looking at. They have videos in the description which I've watched and they make it look like I could have a go, but at ~£40 for mould kit plus ~£40 for carbon kit, might be a waste of cash.

On the other hand it would be good if I can get good results then make more from the moulds as there's currently no carbon tank side covers for the 916 range.

Mould kit:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261381461232?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Carbon kit for use in moulds:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carbon-Fibre-Fiber-Laminating-Starter-Kit-Epoxy-Resin-Cloth-Weave-Mat-PVA-/261322661493?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cd80b5e75

Carbon skinning (no mould):

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carbon-Fibre-Fiber-Cloth-Skinning-Wrapping-Covering-Sheet-Kit-Real-NOT-Vinyl-/251373325126?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a87048b46
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Rides: Honda XR 125 ('03) Honda CBR 600F ('91), Ducati 916 Biposto ('95)

[lihp]

You don't need to buy kits.

You need your normal fibreglass supplies + tooling gel

Then you can use your normal resins but with a carbon weave. Kits are a very expensive way of doing it.