Carbon Fiber Radiator Trim ...and more

[Jeff@Carbon6]

Well over the summer I have been working on some new projects. I have also been experimenting with some new composite materials and production methods. I'm trying to make these parts in a way that showcases the look but also maximizes the strength and quality. I have made a few test products using a Vacuum Infusion process that almost mimics the look and strength of dry carbon (or PrePreg). By using an aerospace epoxy resin (12,000 psi breaking strength) and infusing the part under heat. I was able to make extremely light and very strong parts. If I can get a bit more proficient with it I may even offer some for sale.

These need to be clearcoated yet to protect from UV damage but I like the matte look. I may look into a Matte clearcoat.

My friend (who also has an NSX) wanted some unique rocker panels to fit his factory body lines but give a much more aggressive and lower look. I took me 6 months to make the mock-ups and molds. I hope to have the finished (Kevlar/Carbon) rockers on the car this fall. Here is a teaser of the molds.

 

[WingZ]

Sweet! They have these on SOS and I could never figure out where they went ( Yeah I knew somewhere around the radiator ) so it's great to see one on a car.

Also I gladly buy a "protoytpe" from ya on the cheap for "ahem" testing/advertising purposes:biggrin:

 

[dlynes]

Well over the summer I have been working on some new projects. I have also been experimenting with some new composite materials and production methods. I'm trying to make these parts in a way that showcases the look but also maximizes the strength and quality. I have made a few test products using a Vacuum Infusion process that almost mimics the look and strength of dry carbon (or PrePreg). By using an aerospace epoxy resin (12,000 psi breaking strength) and infusing the part under heat. I was able to make extremely light and very strong parts. If I can get a bit more proficient with it I may even offer some for sale.

These need to be clearcoated yet to protect from UV damage but I like the matte look. I may look into a Matte clearcoat.

My friend (who also has an NSX) wanted some unique rocker panels to fit his factory body lines but give a much more aggressive and lower look. I took me 6 months to make the mock-ups and molds. I hope to have the finished (Kevlar/Carbon) rockers on the car this fall. Here is a teaser of the molds.

looks awesome!! its amazing how you make exact replica's of the OEM parts in carbon fiber, but you make them yourself! Did i read somewhere wrong, dont you do some kind of IT/marketing work??? or do you specialize in this kind of work?

 

[Eclipsed]

I only wish I knew how to make molds and stuff. I'm actually gonna front a friend half the money to by a CF oven to make some parts. He makes aircraft components out of CF for spirit aerosystems so we'll see how proficient I become

 

[Chris NSX]

I will take one of the Carbon Fiber Radiator Trim if they are for sale.

 

[my1stnsx]

That looks hot!!!

 

[The Kid]

Im in, those would look good with my Procar CF rad. clamps.:biggrin:

 

[Senninha]

Im in, those would look good with my Procar CF rad. clamps.:biggrin:

Ditto this and I cant see any reason why these wouldn't fit UK RHD model

 

[da3dalus]

Great work as always... Just think, if you offer them up for sale, your car and all of its mods are a tax write off!!!

 

[Jeff@Carbon6]

Just made a special radiator cowl using a 4x4 twill carbon fiber. Very similar to what most of the Champcar and ALMS cars are made from. Very strong and light but expensive material. Here are some pics.

 

[Semnos_NSX]

Nice work!! Looks BEAUTIFUL!!

 

[Zero-Cool]

WOW..I love it..put me on list please!!!!!!!!!

 

[01a4man]

Bro,

Four words for you. You Are Bad Azz!!! Following your car has been very interesting. The car looks great and your creativeness with all the parts have blended extremely well. If you do offer this part for sale sign me up! I look forward to seeing your next project(s).

Chris

 

[Eclipsed]

Sign me up!!!

 

[Jeff@Carbon6]

I have 2 of these radiator cowls made. They are both using the 4x4 twill carbon fiber, Vacuum Infused and heat cured, as in the above picture. They will sell for $220 ea (including US domestic shipping). There are a few different trim options. Anyone who is interested please pm me. Depending on the interest, I can make more. Because if the layup and curing process, these parts are very time consuming to make.

 

[Tanto2]

Very nice work. You mentioned perhaps a matte clearcoat. I assume you've seen the CF work on the recent Lambo's. They are matte finish without a hint of green. Most of the aftermarket parts I see are gloss which really brings out the differences in weave and color. Do you think Lambo is tinting their clearcoat? or just using CF stock that is all black to start with. I too intend to start dabling(you are way past dabling) because nobody makes the parts I want. A local CF shop made their own autoclave from mostly off the shelf piping components. It wouldn't be all that expensive. The problem would be more of the large space and weight to deal with. It would only make sense if one were actually doing production work. Another thought is finding a scrap dealer that deals with the chemical industry and buying a small scrap pressure vessel. Many already have a fairly large manway you could use to get the part in and out. Do you know the ideal vacuum to pull, I'm curious what schedule(thickness) of pipe it would take. The temperature is very low, right?

 

[Jeff@Carbon6]

As for the color, many companies are using tints in there gel coats to ad another depth to the carbon. Personally, I don't use much gel coat. The Dow Epoxy resin I use has great clarity I also evacuate the bubbles in the resin in a vacuum chamber before infusing. This leaves an almost perfect finish with no gel coat. I use a vacuum pump that will pull a full 30" of mercury. That is basically a perfect vacuum. After infusion, the resin to carbon weight is about 45% resin to 55% carbon. About the lightest and strongest you can get.

I am experimenting with autoclaves. The results I am geting are very similar to my infusion/temper technique. Autoclaves seem to work better with larger parts using 10-20 layers of reinforcements.

 

[Senninha]

There are a few different trim options. Anyone who is interested please pm me.

Vroom, you have pm

Great work as ever

regards, Paul

 

[95ttht]

More info about those massive horns?

 

[Jeff@Carbon6]

Thats my friends car I was using to check fit. I have no idea why he put the horns on... maybe to get people out of his way.:biggrin: He also took his ABS unit out.

 

[Jeff@Carbon6]

I finally got my matte clear coat yesterday so I sprayed the parts. Here is a good side by side of the matte (left) and gloss (right). The gloss ended up with a bit of orange peel that needs to be wet sanded out. We had a bit of a cold snap last night. I think that caused the high gloss to "pucker" a bit.:biggrin:

I have had a lot of interest in these. But only a couple takers. I have 1 high gloss 91-01 left. PM me if you're interested.

 

[Jeff@Carbon6]

They are all sold. Thank you.
I may make some more this fall.

 

[Senninha]

I have had a lot of interest in these. But only a couple takers. [/IMG]

AS per pm, just waiting on pricing from you for the mat std CF please. Timescale to suit you. Latest photo' look great.

regards, Paul

 

[john@johnhudakracing]

I finally got my matte clear coat yesterday so I sprayed the parts. Here is a good side by side of the matte (left) and gloss (right). The gloss ended up with a bit of orange peel that needs to be wet sanded out. We had a bit of a cold snap last night. I think that caused the high gloss to "pucker" a bit.:biggrin:

I had the exact same problem.

When I sprayed my Kawagen hood on the last round I used the PPG "Flexed N' Flat" clear coat system as high gloss was just too much. You can mix their normal clear with their DCU2060 flat additive to achieve a 50-60% semi-gloss to eggshell depending on mix ratio.

As it flew off straight off the other day and has since seen better days, I plan to prep and re-spray it here shortly. I'm going to try the Omni, which costs 1/3 as much and see if I can't achive comparable results.

Yes, the bitter cold weather makes it very difficult to avoid the orange peel, even with a cap full of fish eye eliminator.

 

[Jeff@Carbon6]

I am going to be making 3 more of these. 2 of them are up for sale. The price is $280 with free US domestic shipping. I will be starting them next week and they should be done in about 10 days. Please note, these are made with only the best Carbon Fiber and aerospace epoxy under extreme vacuum and oven cured. The are the absolute lightest and strongest possible. Available in Matte or Gloss finish.
First come/paid, first served. Thank you.

Jeff