Hi, I have some questions regarding carbon fibre.
I would like to have some light weight body parts(bonnet n bootlid).
Carbon fibre as we all know is polished and shiny.
I would like the weight savings but do not want the weave printed patterns to show, but painting on top of this shiny surface would leave the paintwork undesirable.
Q: Is the carbon fibre pressed into the mould to make the shape before the shiny finish is processed?
If this is the case, after the shaping is done, can i choose not to have the polish process, than proceed to paint it with all the primer n stuff, will the paint look gd?
Any advice apprecitated!
Cheers!
Carbon firbre issues -Q & A
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wildfaye
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not all carbonfibre are shiny/polished... you only get the shiny effect if there are layers of clear gel coat applied onto it...
the answer to your question is YES - carbonfibre is moulded onto the shape and when cured, a few layers of gel-coating are applied for a smooth finish...
Whether or not it has a shiny surface should not matter when u intend to paint it anyway, because the end result will be the same...
Personally i'd leave the weave patterns of the carbonfibre exposed and unpainted - looks cool and since they're so darn expensive, why cover it with paint? It's like buying a Ferrari and debadging it!
oh and also if you paint it, you will be adding some weight back onto the carbonfibre part (up to 20% when you factor in the layers of paint and primer used) which sorta defeats the lightweight purpose anyway!
the answer to your question is YES - carbonfibre is moulded onto the shape and when cured, a few layers of gel-coating are applied for a smooth finish...
Whether or not it has a shiny surface should not matter when u intend to paint it anyway, because the end result will be the same...
Personally i'd leave the weave patterns of the carbonfibre exposed and unpainted - looks cool and since they're so darn expensive, why cover it with paint? It's like buying a Ferrari and debadging it!
oh and also if you paint it, you will be adding some weight back onto the carbonfibre part (up to 20% when you factor in the layers of paint and primer used) which sorta defeats the lightweight purpose anyway!