Black Tex Woes..........

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#1

Im not too sure who all here has worked with the BLACK texallium but Im certainly frustrated with it.

I sent some to FX1 as well, seeing as I have a bunch of it.

Has anyone made anything out of the actual BLACK side and not lost the weave pattern?

Seems the backside works alright for a darker silver but as me and FZ1 discussed, its a nightmare for weave seperation. The black though, Im not seeing how I can get to use it in place of carbon. I may have to rethink my idea of using it in place of it for cosmetic things.

#2

always been way to stiff for me!!!

#3

While that is true, Ive been able to make the parts I want to make with a low mortality rate. I have a few out of ten that I have to toss due to bubbles or voids between my gelcoat and the fabric.

Problem with the black is that the second I put resin over it, it just looks like painted black plastic. Im kinda bummed I was going to do my counter tops in my kitchen with it but it looks like ass. That and I cant sell anything part wise with it.

Im just wondering what the hell Hexcell was thinking? Or is there something Im doing wrong?

Ive tried using the thinnest gelcoat thickness I have the balls to use.

#4

Laid up a few sample pieces using the black Hexel Eglass, and concluded its a total and complete waste of time! It looks nothing like carbon, and is very difficult to work with.

The only Eglass we have had any positive results with, is the silver type material, which I understand is made in Italy, and which is known as Alutex. This is available from http://www.connexiontechnology.co.uk/ here in the UK, but who are very helpful and can ship overseas no problem at all.

The Alutex is a lot easier to work with than the Hexel product, and cosmetically has an appearance which is pretty close to carbon fibre, but silver rather than black. Think this has something to do with the refractive index of the individual aluminuim sprayed fibres, being pretty close to real carbon, so looks similiar.

Chris

#5

kinda what I thought…the black hexcell tex is almost hopeless on the black side, but it has a nice charcoal side that works alright.

I just wish the carbon would let up already