Well, I'm practicing big time to get ready for my "big project" but I have to get it to be "perfect" for that one. This second project of mine seemed to go a LOT smoother, and I'm finally getting the hang of it. Anyway, check it out:

http://meissenation.com/modules.php?...howgall&gid=98

 

Nice work man that is so hard to do i have some cf int. accents.....hvac controls overlay, headlight dimmer, fuse box door, and under the hood the fuse box covers

 

Those turned out really good

 

How much are you going to end up doing? When done right the stuff can look pretty good IMO

 

Not sure yet, I'm still practicing. I put the pieces on my car, regardless of them not looking perfect lol. A couple of the shots you can see the ripple that I still have in the resin. Laying the fiber isn't hard, it's getting the resin to come out smooth that's the hard part. And I sand and sand and sand and sand until my fingers are numb and sore (if that makes any sense lol) and it still won't be smooth, or I end up going through a whole package of sand paper. Your site actually has an image of what my "final project" item will be that I cover in carbon fiber, but it has to be 100% perfect at that point because it'll be in a VERY obvious position.

 

looking good- getting the resin smooth is the hardest part of it- i made a carbon fiber stealth sub box this summer and it took almost 3 weeks to get it right.

even then theres a few small spots where i sanded through the resin and hit carbon before i re-applyed resin. im impressed

 

A little more fiber for the car's dietary needs.

http://meissenation.com/modules.php?...howgall&gid=99

I just finished applying the third layer of resin earlier today, so hopefully the part will be installed again and lookin' good for the UofM car show in Ann Arbor this Saturday.

 

Looks good.

 

I'm not a big fan of carbon fiber stuff, but i would be interested in knowing how its done. I thought you were putting some decals on at first until i saw the talk of resin and sanding. Anyone have some good info on it.

 

I don't want to speak for others, but this is how I've done my pieces... I'm still learning and such each time..

1. First, I scuff up the piece that I want covered with some rough sand paper. You really want to scratch the crap out of it, because it'll give more rough spots for the fiber to "stick" to and for the resin to soak in. After sanding it, I wipe it down with water or rubbing alcohol, anything to clean it up real nice to get the dirt off

2. I take the piece that I want to cover and lay it atop the carbon fiber. Once I've figured out the size I want, I take strong adhesive tape and tape off the line I want to cut. Using the tape helps hold the edges together after it's been cut, so the weave doesn't start coming undone.

3. Once sanded and cleaned, I use 3m Spray Adhesive and generously spray it all over the piece, usually it takes two layers before it gets REALLY tacky for me, I usually just keep spraying it on until my finger sticks to it real good. Once it's that tacky, I lay the carbon fiber that I've already cut on top of the piece. I "pat" the fiber onto the piece, because if you rub you could screw the weave up, and then you have to use a toothpick to straighten the weave out again. Once I have it all "patted" onto the piece, it's time for resin.

4. Resin is the second hardest part, IMO, because if you mix too fast, you'll get tiny little airbubbles in the resin and that's just a PITA when you are using resin that dries clear. Anyway, mix the ratio accordingly, and then I use sponge paint "brushes" because they're cheap. I let the resin soak into the sponge, and then again pat the resin into the piece, don't want to disturb the weave. The first layer is just to get it to stick to the piece.

5. Using a VERY sharp exacto knife, trim the unwanted carbon fiber off. Mix and apply second layer of resin, apply generously because now you want to start getting it to be smooth by the 3rd layer.

6. Third layer, apply heavy. Mix in surfacing wax, this makes the resin a little softer when it's dry so you can sand better.

7. Wetsand as much as possible to get it as smooth as possible. Use really fine sandpaper, you don't want to cause scratches.

8. Once it's all smooth, clearcoat.

Sorry the steps got less descriptive by the end, I'm running late for class lol thought I could type this out quicker than I did. After class tonight, I'll edit my post and make it more descriptive.

 

Interesting. The carbon fiber look is growing on me. I really like your console.

 

Thanks, much appreciated. I can't really explain what it is about carbon fiber that I love so much, appearance wise. I think just the fact that it creates almost a 3d holographic effect with light is what really makes me like it. Not only that, but I have a very custom LED ambient lighting system (5 LEDs recessed down the center of my headliner, two in the dome light, one in each map light, and one over each power window/lock control piece) and the LEDs shining onto the carbon fiber at night just looks even better. All a matter of opinion though.

PS - Although I said I was going to update my steps after class, I reread it and I think the last steps are kinda self explainatory. If you need any more info tho, just let me know and I can answer to the best of my knowledge on the subject lol

 

I didn't know anything about the stuff. I had the impression that it took special machines to make the stuff, and it seem kind of like its just like fiberglass in the way you work the stuff. I just did a search on ebay and found a few kits, and it looks like interesting stuff. You do know they make black and red carbon fiber material? That would go good with your car, but you probably don't want to hear that now that you have your stuff all done.

 

Haha yeah, I did know about it, and truthfully now that I think about it, I don't know why I didn't use the red and black CF... especially considering the center console pieces WERE red before I covered them in fiber! Ah well, maybe the 2nd phase will be the red and black.

 

I need to come up with a better solution for my console center insert. Its painted black and is way to prone to chipping. I had to paint it because the center was so faded. I don't think carbon fiber would look half bad but that looks like a hell of a lot of work, and i don't think i could get that stuff to contour the console well enough and it would drive me crazy. Especially around the cup holder.