Custom/Hybrid Carbon fibererering.

Foximus

Foximus

CFL Cheapass.
Location
Oviedo, Fl
So after daytona is over I plan to carbon fiber the entire bottom deck and was wondering if anyone has done this or could offer advice.

As of right now I would probably order an 8-9 oz 2x2 twill and work up a vacuum bag setup.

Areas of concern are the pump. What do you do around the intake tract and rideplate mounting areas? just lay it flat and grind/sand it out later?


Also, I've worked with kevlar on my superjet and that :):):):) blows. It absolutely does not bond with the epoxy resin. Every single time Ive always been able to rip it off and see the kevlar not impregnated at all. Does carbon fiber have a tendency to do this if not vacuum bagged?


Would one layer be enough to structually enhance the SMC? Ive tied together 2 pieces of hull on my ski and I feel like I'll need all the reinforcement I can get.

I plan to get help from CarterB for this, but he is a bit resin happy on his SJ.... Anyone else in the orlando area?

Thanks
 
the WaTeRhAwK

the WaTeRhAwK

fryin' up a/m electrics..
Location
okc
Fox, crammit442 is the one you need to consult. he is an expert with FRP. he makes composite bicycle helmets and prosthetic limbs for a living.
 
Foximus

Foximus

CFL Cheapass.
Location
Oviedo, Fl
Ok Perfect advice. Thats actually pretty neat because thats what I plan to go to school for... prosthetics. I'll send crammit a PM.
 
WFO Speedracer

WFO Speedracer

A lifetime ban is like a lifetime warranty !
Location
Alabama
My suggestion would be to vacuum bag it,you have a ledge there under the rub rail that you could use to tape it off at,carbon fiber is difficult to see the air bubbles in if you are doing hand layup and you won't see some of them till after it is cured, vacuum bagging will eliminate most of it ,the rest is taken care of with many layers of automotive clearcoat.
 
#ZERO

#ZERO

Beach Bum
Location
Florida - U.S.A.
Most people use the carbon fiber for reinforcement on the inside final layer and it's just for looks.

If you put it on the bottom of your hull it will last about one ride before getting damaged.

The 3:1 epoxy is about the only thing that will stick to the SMC and it probably won't look that good because it's not very translucent.
 
Foximus

Foximus

CFL Cheapass.
Location
Oviedo, Fl
I have been using UScomp 4:1 thin fast dry epoxy resin for this and my last 550 pump swap (as well as all my smc'ed foothold installs) and they all seem to hold up and bond incredibly well.


I know most times the reinforcement is on the inside.... but In this particular case I want something to act as a "exoskeleton" to hold the SMC together. Since I basically fused 2 parts of the hull together, and then totally destroyed the first ski in the first day, I'm getting very paranoid about hull damage. Its not exactly like I can just buy another hull... I have to make a totally new one from scratch. Not that I expect a layer or two of CF to protect against a 60mph backflip into a tree... but normal damage...


And yea it would look cool. But mostly keep the 2 sections of the hull together for sure and allow no flexing.
 
WFO Speedracer

WFO Speedracer

A lifetime ban is like a lifetime warranty !
Location
Alabama
One layer would work if the carbon fiber is of the correct weight,but that pretty much rules out visual carbon fiber.I know one layer of the CF that Mad Scientist sent me would be more than enough to hold that together.
 
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Foximus

Foximus

CFL Cheapass.
Location
Oviedo, Fl
I have some carbon fiber (I used most of it already) that was increidbly thick, and woven like a cotton shirt, but thicker than thick wrangler jeans. Not sure what its weight would be but id say like 30oz...


Again vis cf is cool but the main reason is to keep the hull together. I dont mind gaining 3-4 lbs in resin and cloth, the hull only weighs 80lbs to begin with.
 
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