CCF Repairable?

Rapid Dog · 04-11-2003, 12:11 PM

Anyone got any info or ideas on how, or if carbon fiber is repairable?

roger albert · 04-11-2003, 12:56 PM

Sure it is. Just like fiberglass. You can even use a fiberglass repair kit.
The extra concern for CF is only because it's so often left unpainted. Thus, any repair would be very visible. It's not really that exotic of a material. Just a different flavor of fibers vs Fiberglass. If the part isn't a heavy load bearer, and it can be painted, then it's no big deal.

hth
roger

tominator · 04-11-2003, 01:16 PM

Dont bother...throw it away. Many pelican users including myself have tried. What you can do as suggested before my response is to repair . But you will need to paint the repair with a automotive paint. You will never be able to match the BMW carbon fiber.

Good Luck

Cheers
Tomas

roger albert · 04-11-2003, 01:19 PM

Depends on what piece you're repairing and what you want to accomplish. Front CF fenders look very nice when painted body color.
P.O. did it to my bike and it looks great. Surface prep and/or a lack of flex agent in the paint have left it a bit vulnerable to chipping however.
That's a problem with the painter, not the concept.

CarlosT · 04-11-2003, 01:32 PM

I got a Buell CF air cleaner cover with 2 very little holes (about 1/8") and I was thinking of using 2-part epoxy to just fill them in. Good idea? Bad idea?

Rapid Dog · 04-11-2003, 01:34 PM

Good. Cosmetics are not a factor. This is a busted induct.
So Roger, I can use a garden variety (Pep Boys) fiberglass patchkit, and apply it right on the CF then?
That would be great, there is some crackage and one hole about 1" diameter on top and the chunk is missing.
If I can simple prepand layer on some FG, thta would be t-ts!

roger albert · 04-11-2003, 03:36 PM

Yeah, assuming you've done fiberglass repair before, you'll have no problem. The same surface prep rules apply. Degrease, scuff and degrease some more

Both CF and GF are simply woven mats (respective of carbon or glass) soaked in some glue (more technically, epoxy or resin) The resins are about the same, with tiny differences to aid in adhesion due to slightly differing surface chemistries.

If I were doing a load bearing item (say, laying up my own swingarm) I'd want exactly the right resin (not to mention a vacuum bagger) For this app, it just shouldn't matter.

Carlos, it would probably work. Using the particular epoxy that comes in a specific CF kit will get you about 98% right. Using a generic GF kit's resin should see you 80-90% optimal. Using some off the shelf generic household is possible, but riskier. Assuming they were chemically compatible and didn't attack each other, you could still have significantly different thermal coefficients, which could cause stress cracks in one of the resins, and/or delamination. Probably not, but why risk it. 10bucks at pepboys will get you decent GF stuff.

A bit of googling on the web will get you proper cf cloth and resin. albeit at 40 bucks instead of 10.

hth
roger

pdonnell · 04-11-2003, 08:29 PM

My front fender was kinda banged up. The clear coat (or epoxy) was cracking. So I primed it. Painted it black and cleared coated it. (wet sand it then buffed it) to a nice shiny black just like my body panels and Hamburger hugger.
.
If anyone throws one away let me know. I'd like to keep it and paint it down the road.

pdonnell · 04-11-2003, 08:38 PM

tominator · 04-12-2003, 05:04 PM

Very SLICK Pat!

Cheers
Tomas

Rapid Dog · 04-12-2003, 08:41 PM

Pat,
Is that gloss or semi-gloss powder coat on the valve covers?

pdonnell · 04-13-2003, 05:55 AM

Gloss. Same for the wheels once I need new tires.

Rapid Dog · 04-29-2003, 09:47 AM

Just incase ya'll was wondering...the CF repair worked out easily with the Pep Boys Fiberglass repair kit ($7.99).

My first contact with fiberglass since skateboards in the 60's, I was not looking forward to getting near the glass...
But it all went smoothly.
Sand lightly, apply gel and form it, let set and sand some more, (I used a circular body sander to speed process), mask and paint.
I could have spent more time with Bondo and making it better cosmetically, but nobody but you guys is gonna see the Vooshscoopen anyhow.

It's all good, and now I can zip my revs to redline no problem-o thanks to Lennie and his induct.

By the way, I lucked out and found this busted part at CyclesRecycled in Morganton NC
(828-433-1067) Fred Rowland is a good dude.

Total cost: about $90.

CarlosT · 04-29-2003, 10:29 AM

Sad to think about the donorcycle...

Rapid Dog · 04-29-2003, 10:54 AM

yesh, I know, but it has been resurrected...it's a good thing.