posted
My SUV has a carbon-fibre dash kit, so I was thinking about doing that to the face of the enclosure I'm going to build, but I don't know how. I've heard that there are 2 ways to do it. A carbon-fibre-looking sheet of film with adhesive on one side (like scotch-tape, but thicker), or actual carbon-fibre material.
I really don't know much about either, but which would be something I could do? I have no experience with fiber-glass (if that has anything to do with the answer). Any and all info on this idea would help tremendously, including ideas on where to get the stuff, probable prices, etc. . .
posted
If you don't have any experience with fiberglass I wouldn't suggest using the real carbon fiber yet. When you get good at working with fiberglass, then try carbon, but it is too expensive to learn with. You might be able to get premade real carbon sheets that you could somehow laminate to the enclosure. There is a guy that comes by here every so often by the name MPipes that knows his stuff when it comes to carbon and composite fabrication, if he doesn't see this post try Sounddomain, I see him there more often.
posted
Check out a local plastic supplier, some of them stock an adhesive backed plastic sheet that has a carbon fiber pattern in it, easier and cheaper than the real stuff, but gets the look.
------------------ Mabeita@audioexpressusa
Posts: 1706 | From: Phoenix, AZ USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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Does anyone know if the self-adhesive stuff can be applied to wood, very well, or should I cut a peice of plex-glass to go over the front of the enclosure and adhere the carbon-fibre sheet to it?
posted
try a small piece, and if it doesn't stick good, then get some 3m spray adhesive (the strongest stuff), and spray the wood down w/ that first, let it get tacky, and then try the carbon sticker stuff.. might work better. just a thought
------------------ I respect any sub that can make me pass out.
posted
select prducts would be able to answer any and all questions you have regard actual carbon fiber. the sheet stuff looks real 'sheety' (sorry, had to) and if you have a dash kit, it is a good one, it is real carbon fiber. it is actually easier to work with than fiber glass in my opinion...
posted
If you've never done any kinda fiberglass work, I wouldnt touch the real carbon fiber right now cause it's way too pricey to mess up.
Real carbon cloth runs about $35/linear yard, for a 40" or 42" wide sheet.. width depends on who yer gettin it from.
The carbon fiber patterned vinyl wont stick to bare wood very well. You could try an additional adhesive but then you chance seeing the adhesive ridges through the vinyl unless you can roll it out real smooth before the glue sets up too much. You can look to spend about $7/linear foot for 15" wide material or $13/linear foot for 30" wide material.
Here's the kicker.. if you do the math and calculate the cost of the real carbon and the fake vinyl stuff per square foot, the real carbon cloth is CHEAPER.. =) The prices I gave for the carbon fiber vinyl film are what you are likely to be charged by a local sign shop to walk out with some of the material in hand. I run a graphics shop and I'd sell ya some of it but I dont have any onhand.. It's not a big seller as popular as the carbon fiber look is.
------------------ Mike Pipes Digital Illusion Custom Graphics
R POT Designs - Carbon Fiber Watercraft Performance Products
Posts: 431 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ | Registered: Jun 2000
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posted
First off, thank you to everyone for the input. I just found out that a friend at work has worked with carbon fiber before, and is willing to help me with the project. Of course, we'll practice with fiberglass first just to get a hang of it. It should be really easy, I'm just going to carbon fiber the face plate of an enclosure (no tricky curves or anything).
I'd still appreciate any advice on the matter, and have just a couple of quick questions to begin.
First off, I'm fairly sure that the carbon fiber dash kit on my SUV, is not the real thing. If I use the real stuff for the enclosure, will it make the dash look bad, or will it be difficult to even notice since they won't be able to see both at the same time.
Second, does anyone know of a good place to get carbon fiber (in a sheet about 18" x 60")?
posted
I wouldnt worry about the carbon making the dash kit look bad.. you might decide later on that you want to knock off a copy of the dash kit with the real thing though.. =)
OK.. check out www.shopmaninc.com for the carbon cloth. They have a little section on discounted carbon fibers and they just might have the size you need, plus their prices on regular sized stuff is pretty good.
You will want to get the cloth that has a 2x2 Twill weave, 5.7oz (or close) weight. The twill weave is the pretty pattern that most poeple associate with carbon fiber, not only does it look good but it's also the strongest weave available.
A full yard of carbon cloth should be right around $35.. if you find a piece in the discounted area, yer lookin at even less than that.
------------------ Mike Pipes Digital Illusion Custom Graphics
R POT Designs - Carbon Fiber Watercraft Performance Products
Posts: 431 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ | Registered: Jun 2000
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