Is there a better way to skin the corners of this part please?

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#1

Here are some pictures of an ABS plastic vehicle ashtray cover which I would like to skin/wrap in 2*2 ProWeave carbon fibre. (the back of this cloth is partially impregnated with a resin binder to keep it perfectly aligned).



Here is the process I went through on attempt number one with a spare ashtray cover I purchased from my dealer:

  1. Key the outside with 240 grit paper

  2. Apply black basecoat to the main flat outside area and wait until tacky

  3. Apply carbon fibre cloth to the outside main flat area, press down and allow to cure

  4. Apply base coat to the outside and inside edges

  5. Wrap cloth around onto inside edge and secure with bulldog clips

  6. Trim corners by cutting a square out of each corner

  7. Apply base coat to corner of ashtray cover, wait until tacky and press down cloth - this turned out messy and not as neat as I would hope. Is this down to my impatience when trimming or is there a better method?

I wonder if there is a better method I should be using for these corners please?


Here are some pictures which show the complex nature of the corners.

In this picture I have bulldog clipped the cloth onto the corner of the ashtray cover dry to illustrate the cloth at the corner. Is my best option to go ahead and neatly cut down on either side of the cloth to a point then stick it down? the rounded corner seems to make things difficult.

#2

On closer inspection of the area to which the ashtray cover is installed, i realised that the part fits very snugly and so the carbon fibre cloth must only wrap the outside upto the edge I have highlighted with a red line in the following picture.

This therefore means I need to apply base coat and stick the cloth to the edges upto this red line. You can see the corners in this picture which are rounded and seem to be difficult to wrap the cloth around and neatly trim. Please do you have any pointers on how best to approach this task?

#3

duplicate post.

#4

Usually when skinning a part it’s best to mix some epoxy add some fillers to thicken then add pigment ie black,paint on part let it tack then place carbon on part,even this method you have to use tape to hold fabric on the back off the part.

#5

The issue I have is regarding the corners. I already have the general process perfected:

  1. Rub down the ABS plastic ashtray cover with 240 grit paper
  2. Apply black epoxy base coat to main flat area and wait until tacky
  3. Apply cloth to base coat

I look forward to your suggestions concerning the best way to approach the corners.

I purchased the skinning kit from carbonmods UK. This video illustrates the process I have used but it’s the tight corners on my part that I am having trouble with.

[ame=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rTWaV1imzs”]YouTube - ‪How to cover parts in carbon fiber (fibre) by skinning or wrapping‬‏[/ame]

#6

I also wonder if the 2/2 twill ProWeave carbon fibre I am using is more stiff than the regular 2/2 twill CF. Perhaps the regular 2/2 twill conforms to corners and shapes more easily whereas due to the resin, the ProWeave material likes to stay flat.

I’ve ordered some regular 2/2 twill CF to compare.

#7

What about using double sided tape on the corners? Place the dry fabric over the part, make sure the corners all stick to the tape, then cover with resin.

#8

Place your laid up part on a piece of thin plastic film like a saran wrap and fold the edges over to the middle, possibly tape it or tie it up, it will hold the edges and corners in place nicely

#9

This is a piece of art, a thing of beauty no less!


#10

What technique worked for you?

Zach

#11

How many coats do you do ?