CF Cloth?

[Wetter]

what is the best way to cut carbon fiber cloth.
i tried to look up on the Tips but didn't find the info.

[Jeff]

I use a siccors made by fiskar. Sold at menard's, it has a serated lower blade that holds the cloth real well.

[Wetter]

never cut the cloth before.
and thank you Jeff.
just thought it had a special way or technique being it also has Kevlar in it which i forgot to mention.
i usually buy Westcott very comparable to Fiskers (i use for the garden) without the price.

[bandanabob]

I put scotch tape where I want to cut it then cut through that. Tape keeps fibers from fraying and then just put the tape side down when installing. Works for me.....JM2c I also use fiskars scissors there great!

[Heaving Earth]

I put scotch tape where I want to cut it then cut through that. Tape keeps fibers from fraying and then just put the tape side down when installing. Works for me.....JM2c I also use fiskars scissors there great!

+1 on this technique. so easy and clean

[iridebikes247]

i use super 77 spray adhesive. just a light mist coast and I can cut razor sharp edges. at first I was worried that the spray adhesive would mess up the epoxy bond, the epoxy breaks down most adhesives very very well, try it and put a piece of tape on the cf cloth then epoxy, the adhesive melts off the tape very quickly.

I measure the size I need for the hull, spray the cloth, press it into place. The important thing is not touching the cloth after it is set into place, otherwise the epoxy will allow it to slide around a bit and you risk having air bubbles. some people aren't a fan of the spray adhesive but in my experience it has always broken down and the epoxy penetrates through the cloth, but to each his own.

[Wetter]

i get the tape idea (similar to cutting S.S. braided hose lines) and did notice tape on edges on cloth i purchased.
i plan on using West System 650 G/flex.
now on spray adhesive, going to want to do once.
spray, lay and epoxy, does it need to be worked in or lightly rolled (spreading out)? or it actually penetrates and tilt motion
required?
Thank you guys very much.
ps its the red and black cf/kevlar cloth sure looks darn pretty.

[properchopper]

I put scotch tape where I want to cut it then cut through that. Tape keeps fibers from fraying and then just put the tape side down when installing. Works for me.....JM2c I also use fiskars scissors there great!

+1 -

Just had a nightmarish experience with CF cloth. Unsuccessfully tried four nice sharp scissors; finally deployed a pair of sheet metal shears which, after I laid hatch tape on the outline to be cut it got the job done.

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FWIW I'm of the (very likely controversial) opinion that all this CF/Kevlar cloth installation is very nice looking nonsense. Fiberglass cloth is way easier to use and works just fine given the strength comes mostly from the bonding epoxy. (Flame away)

[Rocstar]

FWIW I'm of the (very likely controversial) opinion that all this CF/Kevlar cloth installation is very nice looking nonsense. Fiberglass cloth is way easier to use and works just fine given the strength comes mostly from the bonding epoxy. (Flame away)

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[Savage Skidoo]

X 2

you will also need some rolling tools for the lay up it helps for a nice finish .

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[properchopper]

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Joel,

I was seriously about five minutes away from sending you the hatch (plus a spare) to have you do the job for me (your stuff is beautiful) until I gave it a go myself.

[Rocstar]

Joel,

I was seriously about five minutes away from sending you the hatch (plus a spare) to have you do the job for me (your stuff is beautiful) until I gave it a go myself.

Thanks Tony. It's not too difficult, each one gets better with experience. While obviously CF is lighter and stronger, I do agree that fiberglass reinforcing would be sufficient for most applications. For me the appearance of carbon fiber justifies the additional expense. Plus at 80-90 MPH + I'll take any advantage I can get to survive the inevitable crash.

[keithbradley]

FWIW I'm of the (very likely controversial) opinion that all this CF/Kevlar cloth installation is very nice looking nonsense. Fiberglass cloth is way easier to use and works just fine given the strength comes mostly from the bonding epoxy. (Flame away)

Flamethrower engaged...

The strength comes from the fabric. Epoxy alone is very weak and brittle. If you made a hull of pure epoxy resin, it likely wouldn't make it through a run.
Too much resin adds weight and actually weakens the piece. So, in that case, you are somewhat correct. The guys you see laying CF using adhesive and then spreading large amounts of epoxy on top for what some refer to as a "glossy" finish (I prefer to use the term "Mickey Mouse" in reference to this look) are really not providing anything that a layer of fiberglass wouldn't do. For carbon fiber to be strong it needs to be done correctly.

Tony, if you're venturing into the world of laying CF, let me know. I can send some tips your way that will make your life a little easier, and your final product nicer.
I'll be doing a tutorial shorty on how to properly do a CF inlay. It's really not that hard to do it properly, and get a nice look when you do it.

A few examples:

[Mike Caruso]

Really nice work Keith that is WHY you can get paid for what you do my friend.

[properchopper]

Keith,

Had you and Joel not been at the Straightlines I would have shipped the hatches to you ; my customer approved. Your work is fabulous and I realize that in the speed/performance realm your builds exist in that the CF or CF/Kevlar stuff is the way to go (plus it looks SO GORGEOUS). FWIW I didn't do the "hairspray thing; just laid down the epoxy on the sanded interior, laid in the cloth, let some cure to hold in place, then brushed on the top layer with a foam brush and wiped off the excess to eliminate the gloss.

Given how much fun that whole extravanganza was, I've decided to try a much easier and less frustrating task : teaching my dog to simultaneously twerk and sing the Macarena while accompanying himself on the accordian