Mat vs Cloth and Carbon Fiber

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Fiberglass, Fabrication, and Interiors
Forum Discription: Fiberglass Kick Panels, Subwoofer Enclosures, Plexiglas, Fabrics, Materials, Finishes, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=33886
Printed Date: May 16, 2024 at 12:25 AM

Topic: Mat vs Cloth and Carbon Fiber

Posted By: stormshadow
Subject: Mat vs Cloth and Carbon Fiber
Date Posted: June 14, 2004 at 8:08 PM

Hi,
I hope everyone's projects are going great. posted_image

I am getting ready to do some glass work and am hoping for a little help/advice on the best products to use, in particular there are 3 things that I have had a hard time finding an answer to:

1) I noticed that the " chopped mat " seems to be the prefered material of a vast majority of this forum's users.Can anyone tell me if there is an advantage over 4oz E glass, as they are similar in price?

2) Does Vinyl Ester Resin need a sanding agent to fully cure?

3) What is the best product to use on carbon fiber, the carbon fiber will be used over glass for cosmetic purposes?

Thank's, any help is greatly appreciated. posted_image

Stormshadow

Replies:

Posted By: drunkenbreaker
Date Posted: June 15, 2004 at 11:34 PM

by E glass I assume you mean fiberglass cloth. cloth is more used in molds because you can lay it down so easy and you get more strength from less layers, but it is more expensive. Mat is used for reinforcement more than finishing like for instance. If I build a fiberglass box using fleece I will reinforce with mat on the inside, but I would put cloth on the outside to get a even smoother more durable finish.

Vinyl Ester Resin does not need a sanding agent to fully cure. It is a two part system just like any other polyester resin, but with the stiffness of epoxy.

I can almost gaurantee a horrible finish if you plan to cover in carbon fiber. If you want the appearance you can use a carbon fiber look vinyle, but I don't suggest it. Carbon fiber is used in vacuum molds and very precise finished hand products. It is to vulnerable to air bubbles and stuff like that. fiberglass can be fixed, but if something goes wrong with carbon fiber you'll have to start all over.

Posted By: stormshadow
Date Posted: June 21, 2004 at 10:47 PM

drunkenbreaker

Thanks for the reply. I apologise for the late response, I have been working 16/7 posted_image

and this is the first chance I have had to log on.
I was thinking along the lines of making the part out of fiberglass, finished to the point where it would be ready to prime, then applying the CF to a epoxy tack coat. I have a vac bag system I can use to remove the air pockets and apply even pressure to the piece. I was thinking that I could then apply the final finish, maybe clear coat?, to the CF cloth using my HVLP sprayer. I have a Capspray CS-9100.
I will not, of course, simply go out and try to make the piece/panels without some extensive trial and error to see if any method works. posted_image

The CF cloth is soooo damn expensive I hate to waste even an couple of inches. I was thinking I would start my testing with 3 different pices, each approximately 2" X 2". The first is a A/C knob, high contour. The second will be a tweeter cover, medium contour. The third will be flat, low contour & control group. I will take, and post, pic's as time allows. I plan on starting next weekend, but it may be July before I can get to it.

Thank's again for the info. If you have any more advice, or see any shortcomings in my methods, please let me know. posted_image

Stormshadow