Carbon fiber and plastic hulls

[M.M.]

Im building a bby racing micro scat cat and i want to reinforce it. I was thinking of using carbon fiber but have a couple questions.

1st: I have heard horror stories of the hull warping under the heat of the resin/ epoxy. How can i avoid this?

2nd: What type of resin or epoxy do i use?

3rd: Where can i get the supplies from?

[FE Wannabe]

Here is an thread from Randy at BBY on how to lay Carbon Fiber in an ABS hull.
This should answer most of your questions.

http://www.rumrunnerracing.com/feforums/showthread.php?t=22508

[M.M.]

I read that and it helps alot. But if i understand correctly he said to use CA glue to soak into the carbon fiber? I hate working with CA glue, so what kind of resin or epoxy can i use??

[FE Wannabe]

It appears he was using the CA as a topcoat and the 3M Super77 spray adhesive between the CF and the ABS.
Your best bet would be to PM Randy, (RandyatBBY on this forum) and ask him if you could substitute resin or epoxy for the topcoat.

[steveo]

ca hold better to the plastic i tried with epoxy not great i have had a few of randys hull use the 3m spray to set the cloth and come back with ca, it works, i used fiberglass. dont forget wood is a great tool to stiffen up a boat where you can

[M.M.]

Does anyone else have a write up on this? Randy's is missing pictures of the step that im most confused about, which is the coating of the carbon fiber.

[steveo]

coating with 3m spray or ca glue

[screwball]

when i reinforced my micro scat cat i made a quick jig that kept the tunnel straight then wrapped some string around the front and back to keep it on the jig, i rouphed up the inside then poured a little epoxy in and spread it around with a disposable brush. then i just layed my glass mat and let it cure for 2 days before taking it off the jig

[M.M.]

when i reinforced my micro scat cat i made a quick jig that kept the tunnel straight then wrapped some string around the front and back to keep it on the jig, i rouphed up the inside then poured a little epoxy in and spread it around with a disposable brush. then i just layed my glass mat and let it cure for 2 days before taking it off the jig

What did your jig look like? Could i get some pictures if you still have it?Also what type of epoxy and fiberglass did you use? (mat or cloth)

[screwball]

sorry but the jig got crushed so i threw it out but it was one piece of poplar that i cut to fit in between the sponsons epoxied to a rectangular tupaware bowl thing lol i used great planes epoxy, 30 minute, and fiberglass mat.

james

[M.M.]

And im assuming that turned out well right? Okay just one more question then im going to try it for myself did you jon the halves before or after the glass?


If you dont mind i would love to see some pics of your scat cat.