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hey guys i have carbon fiber sheets that are already clear coated. what can i use to vyt them? i dont want loose fibers sticking out. ??i want teh edes perfect..

 
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tape off where you are cutting, then cut a little wider and use a dremel grinder to clean the edges.

 
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Just use a band saw or anything with fine teeth. You can smooth edges on a belt sander thats quick, but a dremel works as well. Use fine grit after if you want it really smooth. Main thing is breathing carbon fiber dust is very bad for you make sure to wear a mask or put a shop vac on what you are cutting or both.

 
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depending on how thick your cf is just cut them with sizzors!!! make sure they are a nice sharp pair and you will get the best results by doing this. band saw will leave chips.......trust me on this one.....how thick is it?

 
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Scissors? He said "already clear coated" so I am assuming no go with scissors.

Anyway after sanding the edges to the proper size, you can always use a stong, clear, epoxy to keep it from fraying.

 
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I vote for taping it off and using an air grinder or similar with an abrasive cutoff wheel. They've got far more power than a dremel does, so they'll eat through it like nothing, which will leave you a smoother cut. Steer clear of bandsaws or anything else with teeth... don't give it anything that it stands a chance to snag fibers on.

 
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^ werd, wear a mask to when doing it.

 
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how thick is the peice that needs to be cut. I cut peices everyday that have been cleared already with sizors..... ya stay away from anyting with teath, it will just tear up your peice....

 
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im making my own outer door pillars ..our of pre cleared cf..

 
Rep Power: 276

im making my own outer door pillars ..out of pre cleared cf..

 
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how do you fix cracked cf... i hit a bird doing 120 and cracked my hood. can you just sand it down, put resin over it then paint? Is it similar to fiberglass work? Sorry if this is the wrong thread... is there a DIY? Any info is appreciated ! Thanks!

 
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If its still holding together and the carbon isnt broken much that might work. The best thing to do if it is really damaged is to sand it down put it in its original mold and add new carbon in weakened areas, but thats probably not pratical for you. Carbon really isnt an easy thing to repair, but you can probably work something out since the hood doesnt see much load. If you cant get a hold of carbon and its not holding you could try renforcing on the bottom with some fiber glass, not sure how hard that is to do, but some of the cheaper open wheel racing series have fiber glass and carbon fiber in the chassis so its been done.

 
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The carbon fiber is in good shape, it is the gel coat or whatever they put over it for the strengh. Can I just wet sand it and clear coat it again, like fiberglass?

 
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have to see it to know exactly, but that will probably work if the carbon is all okay intact. All the parts ive ever made are made "right" which is underhigh pressure, medium temperature, and vaccum sealed to suck excess resin out. In that case the resin really wont want to crack without breaking fibers as well since they are really well put together. If your hood is like this, might just be the clear coat that cracked in the first place. If its made without this set up there could be a thicker layer of resin on the surface which could have cracked, in that case the resin alone shouldnt be doing much for it structurally if the carbon is as thick as it needs to be. Either way if the carbon is in good shape you should be fine.

 
Rep Power: 302

tape the edges off then cut