Any Carbon Fiber "skinning" suggestions?

[Tray Burge]

I'm having my Six Pack wrapped in high gloss carbon fiber and supposed to pick it up on Friday, Whoo Hoo then on to the final graphics! I have something very special in mind.
I decided to refinish and skin my Air Grabber snorkel in carbon fiber too, of course it'll get graphics also when completed, but...
Other than spraying the CF cloth with spray glue first to keep it from fraying while cutting and making sure the weave stays straight while laying it, does anyone have any "tid-bits" of experience or suggestions to share with me first?

I have the smooth Vararam lid now too that will get redone as well to match.

Old graphics and finish gone, disassembled, stripped and primed ready to refinish. Just needs final sanding, the dark splotches are plastic filler covering any imperfections in the CF and fiberglass that would be magnified once skinned in CF high gloss.
Should be near perfect when finished.

 

[Wild one]

I'm having my Six Pack wrapped in high gloss carbon fiber and supposed to pick it up on Friday, Whoo Hoo then on to the final graphics! I have something very special in mind.
I decided to refinish and skin my Air Grabber snorkel in carbon fiber too, of course it'll get graphics also when completed, but...
Other than spraying the CF cloth with spray glue first to keep it from fraying while cutting and making sure the weave stays straight while laying it, does anyone have any "tid-bits" of experience or suggestions to share with me first?
View attachment 585098
I have the smooth Vararam lid now too that will get redone as well to match.
View attachment 585099
Old graphics and finish gone, disassembled, stripped and primed ready to refinish. Just needs final sanding, the dark splotches are plastic filler covering any imperfections in the CF and fiberglass that would be magnified once skinned in CF high gloss.
Should be near perfect when finished.
View attachment 585101

https://www.amazon.com/3m-carbon-fiber-vinyl-wrap/s?k=3m+carbon+fiber+vinyl+wrap

 

[Tray Burge]

Nice, but I'm using real CF cloth on the snorkle, the scoop is being wrapped in the high gloss vinal by a wrap shop.

 

[Wild one]

Nice, but I'm using real CF cloth on the snorkle, the scoop is being wrapped in the high gloss vinal by a wrap shop.

Cold shower after your done

 

[Tray Burge]

Cold shower after your done

I've read if you give the cloth two sprays with 3M spray adhesive and letting it dry the cloth remains maluable and doesn't loose much of its drapability, but you can make complicated cuts before applying it without is coming undone or fraying.

 

[Jd3443]

Take your time. Measure twice and cut once. Off topic. Why did you mount your mechanism to actuate the butterflies on the outside of the hood scoop, as opposed to concealing it in/under the scoop?

 

[Tray Burge]

Because it looks too cool to hide, I wanted the linkage to show, the cord will be on the inside. I prefer visceral and mechanical over stealth in some cases. Watch the video and you'll see what I mean.
I'm supposed to be picking the scoop up today from getting wrapped, it's being wrapped in high gloss carbon fiber (too complex for me) then I'll apply the graphics to the sides.

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[Tray Burge]

Looking to incorporate some 70's vibe to this revision.
A couple of ideas so far?
The graphics will be easy once the CF is finished, the hard part is deciding which one to use, I have several other ideas too. Old graphics designers habit. lol

I've received a smooth lid I ordered from Vararam (mines the pebble finish) so it'll be easier to wrap and graphics will bond better once clear coated.

 

[olyelr]

Pretty slick !

 

[Tray Burge]

Very happy with the results I'm getting, other than making sure the resin ratios are perfect, epoxy resin is pretty forgiven.
After stripping, filling and smoothing the snorkle out with plastic filler.


Forgot to get images of the skinning process, but just make sure your CF is securely glued down with black resin so it won't delaminate down the road and that the all the grain runs the same direction so the seams basically disappear after coating.
Surely thought I'd totally F'd up my first coat because I was doing it in a hot garage and my resin "cooked" on me as I was applying it.
(HINT: if you spray your CF cloth as it's laid out flat with a spray contact cement like 3M 77, twice and make sure the distillates completely evaporate between coats you can then cut it without it fraying around the edges and make perfect seams.)


I hoped as long as it cured clear I'd be okay because of the sanding between layers and I was correct. Lesson learned- do it in a temperature controlled environment like your house, then move it to a hot, dry garage to cure faster.
After two standings and the last coat (total of 3). After this cures it will be sanded perfectly smooth and then polished to a glassy shine.
Finally, I'll apply my graphics and seal the snorkle with a clear coat with an activator in it to keep it from yellowing.



It was a learning process, but fun and since I have an extra Vararam air filter lid now, I ordered the smooth one, I believe I'll tackle that next...
I'll update once I complete everything.