Other Smooth finish on carbon fiber

[swapmeet]

I wrapped my shortened handle pole with Carbon fiber tonight.​

As it is with normal fiberglass, the texture of the fabric is extremely noticeable now that the resin has dried. I'm hoping to achieve that deep smooth gloss appearance that we all see on production parts, only because I love the way it looks.

With fiberglass I sand it with 50grit to knock down the high spots in the resin. Then mix up another batch and slather it on. Sand one more time and its nice and smooth. But that always gets painted, and I want the CF to be 'visual'.

So whats the best technique? Should I lay on more resin and then sand? Or should I treat it similar to my standard glass and sand down the bumps first?

 

[Shadow7874]

I have no experience in the matter but i would think you would want to build up a thick layer or resin then sand it smooth as to not sand through to the fibers. Then clear coat? Might even have to buff the resin idk

 

[Daralekt]

You can spray a bunch of coats of clear, then sand until flat.

 

[swapmeet]

The texture currently there would take way too much clear to conceal. It would defintely require addtional resin IMO.

 

[munki63]

west systems has some nice finishing epoxy/hardener, but your right with the sanding the finer the paper the nicer the job

 

[swapmeet]

So knock down the high spots a little first?

 

[tom21]

those deep gloss visual jobs are usually laid up in the mold multiple coats and then the carbon is applied. knock it down and sand it in stages to fine scratches. then build it up. be careful to not sand into the carbon as you may wreck the appearance.

why did you not sand it smooth before applying the carbon?

 

[Winter X2]

I sanded my hood for hours... like 10 hours of sanding. Sprayed clear, sanded. Repeat. The more you sand and spray, the happier you will be with the outcome.

 

[tom21]

you sir are a patient man, I usually sand for a few minutes decide its moving along too slow and just says its good enough. lol it will corrode or break again and I will do it nicer next time. (not)

 

[swapmeet]

those deep gloss visual jobs are usually laid up in the mold multiple coats and then the carbon is applied. knock it down and sand it in stages to fine scratches. then build it up. be careful to not sand into the carbon as you may wreck the appearance.

why did you not sand it smooth before applying the carbon?

The pole was smooth, the only roughing I did was DA sanding it with 50 grit so the resin would bite. Thats all... I'll take a picture tonight.
What your saying is about what i figured, sand lightly so the resin will bite and to knock down as much texture as possible, but don't get into the fiber itself. Sand, repeat.

I don't necessarily want it perfect, but what I have now won't fly.

 

[Boris]

you sir are a patient man, I usually sand for a few minutes decide its moving along too slow and just says its good enough. lol it will corrode or break again and I will do it nicer next time. (not)

Wise words right there. Probably why I still ride a square.

You want it smooth, dump resin on it and start sanding. Or leave it alone and show all the Honda boys what carbon really looks like.


Sent from my iDiot device

 

[mademan9]

I wraped my hood and nose pc with carbon. It takes a couple steps. Resin, sand resin , sand , resin , sand , sand , sand. , then clear. Contact manfish he give me the correct steps and mine came out great!

 

[WaveDemon]

The composite shop near me said to use surfboard resin as a finish coat. It's clear and doesn't blush. Just know, it will be a mechanical bond, add weight, and not make the part any stronger.

 

[swapmeet]

The composite shop near me said to use surfboard resin as a finish coat. It's clear and doesn't blush. Just know, it will be a mechanical bond, add weight, and not make the part any stronger.

Yeah, thats the struggle. My deep seeded desire for things to look cool but also perform.

 

[Mark44]

Vacuum bag for a smooth factory type finish.

Mark44

 

[kevbo]

I used some clear epoxy sold on ebay called Max-CLR. It works just like paint, just roll it on and it will gloss, no blush or fish-eye.

 

[munki63]

West system 207 Hardener works pretty sweet

 

[shawn_NJ]

Apply and additional layer of finishing resin (uv protected) then wetsand, and wet sand more, 600, 800, 1000, 1500 then polish with a 2000grit polish. Then wax it 5-6times...It will shine like glass. But you are adding weight and will kill 15+ hours.

 

[madscientist]

i apply 2 layers of lightweight surf cloth in the lay up over the carbon. this leaves a levelable / sandable layer .

 

[Dustin Mustangs]

This is called flood coating and, if you consider the durability of the surface itself, it makes the part weaker not to mention heavier. Not something you see on a true performance part but it looks great when done right. Use heat to thin the resin once it's applied to take care of any bubbles.