carbon fiber fabrication
07-28-01 | 03:43 AM
#1
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From: SF
carbon fiber fabrication
I have to redo my interior anyway so I was thinking of maybe carbon fiber, something like this but of course mazdaspeed doesn't make these for lhd cars...
http://www.3rotor.com/images/fd_rx7_build/fd_rx7_5.jpg
http://www.3rotor.com/images/fd_rx7_build/fd_rx7_7.jpg
I briefly talked to someone about it over email and they said they could do something like that for $200... and no they said it wasn't the sticker overlays. So I'm wondering, how exactly is this done for $200? Would they just be somehow laminating my existing pieces with carbon fiber? For $200 I wouldn't think it would be a complete carbon fiber replacement... I don't know much about carbon fiber fabrication so any help is appreciated.
http://www.3rotor.com/images/fd_rx7_build/fd_rx7_5.jpg
http://www.3rotor.com/images/fd_rx7_build/fd_rx7_7.jpg
I briefly talked to someone about it over email and they said they could do something like that for $200... and no they said it wasn't the sticker overlays. So I'm wondering, how exactly is this done for $200? Would they just be somehow laminating my existing pieces with carbon fiber? For $200 I wouldn't think it would be a complete carbon fiber replacement... I don't know much about carbon fiber fabrication so any help is appreciated.
07-28-01 | 09:03 PM
#2
Altitude SUCKS!!!
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Fort Collins, Colorado
DAMN that carbon fiber work is really really clean. I dont know about 200 bucks though i know a guy here in town that used to do carbon fiber work for Swift Racecars. he runs his own shop now and his price for a hood is about $600 so it may be possible. About the fabrication, it's a huge pain in the *** it takes a long time and involves basically the same techniques that are used in auto body ( lots of filler and sanding to make a mold) some one could easily pull a fiberglass mold off of the stock interior pannels but it would take alot of time using Bondo and sanding to fill in the imperfections. then the mold would have to be waxed smooth approx. 10-12 coats b4 they could actually do the lay up. and the lay up would have to be at least 1 layer of CF with a honeycomb mesh and then a layer of fiberglass. it probably wouldnt be all carbon most guys will back the carbon with fiberglass because its cheaper.
07-30-01 | 10:41 PM
#4
Actually Carbon Fiber MOLDING requires a vacuum bagging process- A mold is fabricated for the part and vacuum is applied to form the carbon fiber to the mold prior to curing (greatly simplified explanation). Flat or slightly curved Carbon fiber panels can be created with a much easier process, similar to laying up fiberglass or similar composites,-as long as there are no compound curves. The photos appear very similar to a car we had recently where a carbon fiber looking film was applied. It may not be the real stuff but it does look neat.
07-31-01 | 12:07 AM
#5
Altitude SUCKS!!!
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Fort Collins, Colorado
Yeah i forgot to metion the bagging part. You can also use an autoclave, but you can do some pretty intricate shapes without bagging. The race car that I helped build at my school Colorado State University has a carbon tub that we did the layup on with no bags.
Last edited by Dr Wankel; 07-31-01 at 12:12 AM.
07-31-01 | 10:04 AM
#6
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From: Louisville, KY
Who can make a set of the Carbon Fiber interior? I don't care if it's just overlayed, doesn't have to be exclusively carbon fiber, I just don't want the sticker overlay. If someone knows where I can get this work done or someone that sells a set of interior, let me know...
08-08-01 | 12:01 PM
#7
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From: Fairfax Station, VA, USA
Me too!
So does one exist? I would want a whole dash, all carbon fiber, dont care what its backed with. Not an overlay, but a replacement. With some things moved around so I can have a nice lil gauge cluster. This is a lot to ask, but I hate hvaing things mounted in weird places. Also, it would save a ton of weight I bet.
Spyder420
Dreamin'
Spyder420
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08-09-01 | 12:58 PM
#8
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From: Glendale , CA ,
Do you just use a clear gelcoat, to let the carbon fiber cloth show thru?
-Les
-Les
Originally posted by Dr Wankel
Yeah i forgot to metion the bagging part. You can also use an autoclave, but you can do some pretty intricate shapes without bagging. The race car that I helped build at my school Colorado State University has a carbon tub that we did the layup on with no bags.
Yeah i forgot to metion the bagging part. You can also use an autoclave, but you can do some pretty intricate shapes without bagging. The race car that I helped build at my school Colorado State University has a carbon tub that we did the layup on with no bags.
08-09-01 | 02:19 PM
#9
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From: Detroit
Well, I'd love to use some carbon fiber if I wasn't so damn poor. I'm currently in the process of using some Home Depot aluminum flashing to make a new dash. Nice thing is the 20" by 10' roll only weighs 2 pounds all together and costs ten bucks. I'll deffinitely post some pics once I'm done.
By the way, anyone know a good cleaner for aluminum flashing?
By the way, anyone know a good cleaner for aluminum flashing?
08-09-01 | 02:23 PM
#10
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From: Louisville, KY
Has anyone used the carbon fiber overlay kits? I haven't read anything about them before, so I'm not sure whether that's something I want to do or not. I'd like to hear of personal experience about it before I try it...
08-09-01 | 04:43 PM
#11
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From: Tampa, Florida
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
DR. Wankel
Don't..........you can't.......plz......if you love your seven do NOT use home depot flashing!!!!! I think Carbon Fiber is the way to go. For the love of god don't.....NOOOOOOOOO.......anything but flashing. Seriously.....think of what you are about to do. It hurts me deep down to even think of such a thing.
Don't..........you can't.......plz......if you love your seven do NOT use home depot flashing!!!!! I think Carbon Fiber is the way to go. For the love of god don't.....NOOOOOOOOO.......anything but flashing. Seriously.....think of what you are about to do. It hurts me deep down to even think of such a thing.
08-10-01 | 12:14 AM
#13
Altitude SUCKS!!!
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Fort Collins, Colorado
Originally posted by lesd
Do you just use a clear gelcoat, to let the carbon fiber cloth show thru?
-Les
Do you just use a clear gelcoat, to let the carbon fiber cloth show thru?
-Les
Les
Its not a gelcoat or anything. it is the epoxy that is used to get the fabric to firm up that you see. Thats why it is so important to get the mold to shine like a mirror. I.E. the dozen coats of wax or so. Bagging the layup will give the best results because it gives you a constant pressure across the entire mold to push out the air bubbles.
08-10-01 | 11:56 AM
#14
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From: Detroit
Re: NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
Originally posted by rx7superman
DR. Wankel
Don't..........you can't.......plz......if you love your seven do NOT use home depot flashing!!!!! I think Carbon Fiber is the way to go. For the love of god don't.....NOOOOOOOOO.......anything but flashing. Seriously.....think of what you are about to do. It hurts me deep down to even think of such a thing.
DR. Wankel
Don't..........you can't.......plz......if you love your seven do NOT use home depot flashing!!!!! I think Carbon Fiber is the way to go. For the love of god don't.....NOOOOOOOOO.......anything but flashing. Seriously.....think of what you are about to do. It hurts me deep down to even think of such a thing.
Oh, and this flashing is goin to be in flat sheets because I've removed the stock dash and am using the metal frame underneath. I'll post some pics when I'm done.
08-10-01 | 12:16 PM
#15
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From: Louisville, KY
When I get a first gen for my beater, I planned on doing the same thing. Removing the stock dash and using sheet aluminum to make a new dash. I'd really like to see how it looks when your done!
08-10-01 | 07:21 PM
#16
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From: Detroit
Originally posted by FastX7
When I get a first gen for my beater, I planned on doing the same thing. Removing the stock dash and using sheet aluminum to make a new dash. I'd really like to see how it looks when your done!
When I get a first gen for my beater, I planned on doing the same thing. Removing the stock dash and using sheet aluminum to make a new dash. I'd really like to see how it looks when your done!
08-11-01 | 02:02 PM
#17
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From: Atlanta, GA
I would love to talk to someone who knows how to make dashes out of carbon fiber or overlay or whatever! My RX-2 is badly in need of a new dash and was thinking along the lines of finding someone to do this.
As far as the flashing goes, that looks pretty good. My concern is that it is going to be to weak for a dash... are you going to reinforce it with something?
As far as the flashing goes, that looks pretty good. My concern is that it is going to be to weak for a dash... are you going to reinforce it with something?
08-12-01 | 01:55 AM
#18
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From: Detroit
Originally posted by Madman
I would love to talk to someone who knows how to make dashes out of carbon fiber or overlay or whatever! My RX-2 is badly in need of a new dash and was thinking along the lines of finding someone to do this.
As far as the flashing goes, that looks pretty good. My concern is that it is going to be to weak for a dash... are you going to reinforce it with something?
I would love to talk to someone who knows how to make dashes out of carbon fiber or overlay or whatever! My RX-2 is badly in need of a new dash and was thinking along the lines of finding someone to do this.
As far as the flashing goes, that looks pretty good. My concern is that it is going to be to weak for a dash... are you going to reinforce it with something?
08-13-01 | 11:38 PM
#19
Passenger
Posts: n/a
OK...Im in the process making the mold for the center piece where the shifter sit's and Im alomost done once I get that accomplish I will make the "FULL Replacement" for that part then the Control Panel next. Just to make sure everyone clear on this YES! It will be a full replacement. Now im just wondering how many people is interested on this, So I know how much CF i should order. PLease only seroiuse people. YES! I will post once im done w/ the parts. Now if this goes well im planning to make more full replacement CF parts for the FD now for the people that has a FC I will need some to volunteer their parts so I can make the mold. Now this is not for shure yet but I just want to know who are interested if it "does" come out well. Now the cost I dont have the price yet but becuase this is going to be full replacement "not" an overlay w/ the cost of materials and time spent making it "IF" I do make the center and control panel perfect fit Im guesing it will be around $600 or less now this is not a set price. The price might go down more if I get more people in it. So PLEASE email me if you are VERY interested on this. rx7kelvin@hotmail.com. One more thing I can do Overlay to I have done it w/ someone's dash already but not a RX. It turned alright but not wat i expected to be.
Thank You
Thank You
08-14-01 | 06:32 AM
#21
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From: Louisville, KY
My dash has some blemishes on it that aren't very bad, but bug me being there. I don't neccesarily need a whole new dash, a good overlay would work fine. I want the dash to be smooth again, or at least smooth looking. Once you get a definite price for the whole carbon fiber dash replacement, let me know and I can tell you if I'll be able to squeeze for the cash.
08-14-01 | 09:01 AM
#22
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From: Fairfax Station, VA, USA
If I can clear up some things and finally pick up an FD I'll be extremly interested. Any idea on the weight savings for just replacing the whole dash? Also, is it possible that your mold could have some things moved around, or a few extra holes for gauges (maybe one mold for 60mm and one for 52mm gauges).
A-pillar mounting is dandy and all, but for some reason they never fit perfectly, and I'd rather have that clean look than drive around with gauges everywhere, and people wondering if it's rice or not. Also places for tt, ebc, knock sensor, etc would be great. If that's too much to ask then I'd be willing to get with you for a custom order for me. Thanks, but i still want so see the quality of the piece first, and I need that FD. Thanks.
Spyder420
01 MR2 Spyder
FD shoppin
A-pillar mounting is dandy and all, but for some reason they never fit perfectly, and I'd rather have that clean look than drive around with gauges everywhere, and people wondering if it's rice or not. Also places for tt, ebc, knock sensor, etc would be great. If that's too much to ask then I'd be willing to get with you for a custom order for me. Thanks, but i still want so see the quality of the piece first, and I need that FD. Thanks.
Spyder420
01 MR2 Spyder
FD shoppin
08-14-01 | 01:08 PM
#24
Custom dash setup. I don't know how much this would be but I have a possible custom dash application that I'd love for someone who knows what they are doing do. I plan to put a second gauge hood on the passanger side, move the AC unit right below the stereo and place two gauges in the ac area. And while I was at it I was thinking of putting a analog clock like you see in the dash of an i30 inifiniti. I don't know how difficult something like that would be but I would be will to pay for it. Rx7Kevin send me an email if you think this is at all possible.
Thanks!
Tsumi Kinetic
93 Montego
Thanks!
Tsumi Kinetic
93 Montego
08-15-01 | 02:50 PM
#25
Passenger
Posts: n/a
Anything is possible..Right now im just trying to make the mold...Making a mold is the hardest part but once i get the mold then ill be good to go.. Im planning to make custom gauges for my FD too. Right now im making the mold for the Tranny cover. I will keep everyone posted on this. Im just waitting for the CF too I just ordered it.
Thanks for the support
Kelvin
Thanks for the support
Kelvin