Help with carbon fibre layup

chrislandy · Post by **chrislandy** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 7:17 pm

This is my first attempt at vacuum bagging carbon fibre, although I'm pretty happy with the first go the surface is not very good (a bit voidy/rough) and there are some resin starved areas. Is this because I had too high a vacuum or should I let a layer of resin/gelcoat gel before laying up the fabric?

Ian200sx · Post by **Ian200sx** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 7:39 pm

looks good, I found using clear gelcoat improved results lots. Its the same as laying up FG, are you using epoxy? are the marks just dry area's?

chrislandy · Post by **chrislandy** » Fri Sep 24, 2010 7:50 am

Yup, using epoxy - the surface was wetted out prior to the application of the first layer and I worked the resin in pretty well on each layer as I went so I was quite suprised when I peeled it off and found it was all voidy. It seems to have gone completely dry where the vacuum attachment was (the circular mark on the bottom picture about half way up) I'll have another play over the weekend as I need to make some window winder handles for the Shelsley.

any pointers greatly appreciated!