Fastbird
03-12-2009, 11:19 PM
Some of you may know I'm in the process of working out a technique for this stuff, so I thought I'd show some progress of where I'm at:
Through some research, I've found that a refrigerator vacuum pump will work beautifully as a vacuum pump, and be quiet and very reliable at the same time. So I picked one up. Experimented, it pulled so much vacuum I was breaking plastic parts. So after some thought and finding the right stuff:
The same but "New" pump setup:
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i177/Fastbird93/Celica/0312092217b.jpg
Controlling the Vacuum: An air compressor regulator for bleed control, two barb fittings, and a small three way manifold. Total cost: $20
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i177/Fastbird93/Celica/0312092217.jpg
Vacuum monitoring: Simple automotive vacuum gauge on a plastic "T" fitting plumbed AFTER the bleeder valve:
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i177/Fastbird93/Celica/0312092217a.jpg
And you get this, with a steady regulated vacuum on the item. No excessive forces, a very nice 20 in/hg of vacuum. My pump ran up to 30 in/hg before I cut it off on a test. QUITE happy.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i177/Fastbird93/Celica/0312092216.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i177/Fastbird93/Celica/0312092217c.jpg
Now I just need to switch to a more pliable film that will stretch better and not leave pleats. Hopefully this is the last time I try this piece. The beautiful part is that I have a grand total of about $100 wrapped up in this vacuum pump setup. Can't beat that with a stick.
Please realize that what I'm showing here is NOT the proper way to bag a carbon fiber piece. You should have a release film and bleeder/breather cloth in there too. I'm simply experimenting on getting a smooth finish that requires less finishing work.
Whatcha think??? I'm thinking about doing a set of Firebird door handle bezels out of our T/A in black to see how it comes out. Kind of cliche'd I know, but I LOVE the 3D look of real carbon fiber. This piece shown in the thread is for our Celica fyi.
Through some research, I've found that a refrigerator vacuum pump will work beautifully as a vacuum pump, and be quiet and very reliable at the same time. So I picked one up. Experimented, it pulled so much vacuum I was breaking plastic parts. So after some thought and finding the right stuff:
The same but "New" pump setup:
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i177/Fastbird93/Celica/0312092217b.jpg
Controlling the Vacuum: An air compressor regulator for bleed control, two barb fittings, and a small three way manifold. Total cost: $20
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i177/Fastbird93/Celica/0312092217.jpg
Vacuum monitoring: Simple automotive vacuum gauge on a plastic "T" fitting plumbed AFTER the bleeder valve:
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i177/Fastbird93/Celica/0312092217a.jpg
And you get this, with a steady regulated vacuum on the item. No excessive forces, a very nice 20 in/hg of vacuum. My pump ran up to 30 in/hg before I cut it off on a test. QUITE happy.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i177/Fastbird93/Celica/0312092216.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i177/Fastbird93/Celica/0312092217c.jpg
Now I just need to switch to a more pliable film that will stretch better and not leave pleats. Hopefully this is the last time I try this piece. The beautiful part is that I have a grand total of about $100 wrapped up in this vacuum pump setup. Can't beat that with a stick.
Please realize that what I'm showing here is NOT the proper way to bag a carbon fiber piece. You should have a release film and bleeder/breather cloth in there too. I'm simply experimenting on getting a smooth finish that requires less finishing work.
Whatcha think??? I'm thinking about doing a set of Firebird door handle bezels out of our T/A in black to see how it comes out. Kind of cliche'd I know, but I LOVE the 3D look of real carbon fiber. This piece shown in the thread is for our Celica fyi.