Newb- Starting out

General Composites Discussions Showcase
#1

So I am new to the entire world of composites and thought it would be a fun skill to learn. So i am taking baby steps and starting with skinning or overlaying some interior parts. Here is a few photos from my first attempt. Its not perfect but I thought it came out well for my first one.

I still need to buff and polish more but here it is.

#2

Nicely done, that’s a good way to start to get a feel for the fabric and resins, and kevlar is not always the easiest. What are you using for resin and did you spray it with a clear coat?

#3

Not too shabby! Looks like a nice coating, and no issues with trimming!

#4

I am using Simlar 249a polyester resin and then clearing over with some instant 2k clear.

trimming was a pain but dremel is my friend :slight_smile:

#5

I am slowly doing each peice so that i dont mess up, as i finish more parts I will keep adding to this. My goal is to do the entire center console, i have to admit that the color is a little on the extreme side but I am not one of those people that like the cookie cutter interior look.

#6

very cool, nice and clean. I must add, that is some nice looking grass in your yard too.

#7

Thanks, nice northern cal weather keeps it green :cool:

#8

Finsihed up the cup holder section now working on the shifiting section: Needs more polishing and elbow grease (pic taken in shade)



#9

Looks good, but can use some better polish as you told.
Which other parts are next ?

#10

I am working on the shifting section now and then lastly the stereo console section. Yeah i know the polishing needs help, i plan on getting the next section done and then polishing both at the same time. I also need to install a small rubber section where you can see my finger prints in the first photo so i can open and close the lid without more smudges

#11

So here is the next section of the car completed: Next section will be the stereo surround. I upgraded to a better clear so thats why there is slight color difference between the two parts. Once i complete everything I will re-sand and clear teh first section.

#12

I’m interested to see the backside. Did you fabricate the brackets and such too or is it an overlay. Over all it looks awesome and nicely done. The new clear is much better and has a good shine.

#13

WELL DONE! Looks great.

#14

Its strickly an overlay, so the backside is the plastic of factory. Yeah the new clear is a two part can only down fall is a 48 hr potlife.

#15

Thanks, yeah its turning out well, even though I am getting a lot of flack from other mazda6 guys regarding the color but thats why I chose it to be different.

#16

That is some nice looking work!

#17

I like the color, I’m all the time trying to talk customers into trying something a little different than everyone else.

#18

Very nice work! Quality work :slight_smile:

#19

I have to give you props. These overlays look great for someone who is just starting out. Are you using an adhesion promoter on your plastics ?

#20

I am prepping the plastic by sanding with 400 and then doing a 100 grit cross sand just to get some good marks. Then I clean and lay a layer of resin with black tint, let that get to stage b and then lay fabric and let that cure for 24 hr before I lay on top layers.