Vacuum Bagging

General Composites Discussions Products Talk
#1

I have done some basic flat piece CF work on mostly auto trim and had very good results. I would like to move into more complicated trim and interior pieces and need some input on starting out with the vacuum bagging. That seems to be the consensus best way to do things.

Any experiences or advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated. I could especially use product info, links, and costs I should expect.

Also, any ideas on epoxies to use under the hood?

This is a great forum and I really appreciate everyone.

#2

It’s hard to say when it comes to interior overlays. Your best bet is to show exactly which piece you’re doing because they’re all very very different.

I now use the high temp laminating resin by PTM&W. It’s about $130/gal and requires post cure at 150-250-350 fahreinheit

#3

Well, there really are a variety of pieces. Some flat, some curved… it would be too many to show really. I do not have access to anywhere to cure something at those temperatures either.

I was really jsut interested in the pricing and capabilities of the vacuum bagging more than anything else.

I have no experience with them and do not have anywhere in my area I can speak with anyone.

I have been laying my CF sheets on a large piece of glass and it has worked fairly well. I use a “raw” looking texture and not the smooth finish, so it is easier. Just trying to give people variety. Plus, getting that smooth finish to the sheets is so much more time and material consuming.

Can you shed some light on the vacuum bagging?

#4

Well for around $100-$300 you can find yourself a decent vacuum pump. If you’re using it at home, I’d recommend something 1/4hp or smaller. Anything bigger is going to be too loud and might annoy your neighbors. You’ll also need vacuum bag, nylon peel ply, breather and sealant tape.

You basically layup your carbon, wet it out with resin and vacuum bag it. You first lay peel ply directly over the carbon, then breather and then the bag itself. Seal the bag with sealant tape and attach the vacuum hose. Now it’s not as simple as it sounds but that’s the basics of it.

#5

So, about $100 for an entry level pump? How much for the other supplies?

When doing a part, does the pump form the CF to the part or do you need to do that before bagging it? How many of the supplies are reuseable?

What kind of texture do the parts have when you remove them from the bagging?

#6

Vacuum bag is about $2-3/yard
Nylon peel ply is about $6-10/yard
Breather is about $2-3/yard
Sealant tape is about $4-6/roll of 25 ft

None of them are reuseable.

You’ll need to form the carbon and let the bag hold it in place. Don’t rely on the bag to form the carbon for you because it will not 99% of the time. If you use nylon peel ply, you’ll have an even but rough texture. I don’t have a problem with the finish because I layup against female molds and the bag is sucking down on the back side.

#7

How do you reccomend making a female mold? What materials do you reccomend?

#8

Anyone have any ideas on where to buy a pump? Anyone have a used pump for sale?

#9

there are a few places where you can buy a package with all supplies included, except for mould materials and epoxies and whatnot. Just type in carbon fiber vacuum pump in your browser and you can get an idea of what you need and how much it will run you. Im kinda in the same situation as you, im looking to buy a set-up and start production but im still weighing my options and researching.