Carbon skinned teardrop

[mikeschn]

I've been replacing some of the aluminum parts on my bike with carbon parts, and then it just dawned on me. Couldn't I skin a teardrop in carbon?

It would be a traditional wooden build, but instead of covering it with fiberglass and epoxy, couldn't I cover it with Carbon and epoxy? Does carbon come in sheets like fiberglass? Can anyone give me a clue as to how easy or hard this would be?

Thanks,

Mike...

[cleonard]

It's basically sold the same way as fiberglass cloth. The difference is the cost. You can get 60 inch width light glass for $6 a yard where the carbon is more like $45 a yard. You use them more or less the same way.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Here you go Mike! $32.50/yd, 50" wide on eBay!

That would be awesome! Do it! Do it!!

[mikeschn]

Ouch, that sounds like expensive skin...

Just for fun I took my solid model and put some carbon fiber on it... What you think?



Mike...

[planovet]

Personally I think it looks cool. A bit pricey though...

[schaney]

With the strength advantages of carbon fiber, I'm assuming you could use much thinner plywood than normal and save some weight.

It would look very cool!

[Travis]

I think it would be very hot on the inside. But it would be oh so cool looking!

[mikeschn]

I think it would be very hot on the inside. But it would be oh so cool looking!

I don't think I'll use the PetCool in this one.... Maybe a nice big 10,000 BTU room shaker!

Mike...

[Shadow Catcher]

I had a friend with a carbon fiber solo canoe, he had an accident and flipped the van with the canoe on top. It scuffed the epoxy, canoe was fine.
Carbon fiber exterior foam core fiberglass inside, HOT looking.

[Lou Park]

Mike, just for fun, can you remove the trees on the side and replace them
with a batman emblem?

[mikeschn]

Mike, just for fun, can you remove the trees on the side and replace them
with a batman emblem?

Not in my rendering software.

Mike...

[Noob]

Problem #1 : Punk arse "ricers" would cut it off your trailer, and try to make honda civic hoods out of it.

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[mikeschn]

Problem #1 : Punk arse "ricers" would cut it off your trailer, and try to make honda civic hoods out of it.

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Whodathunk?

Mike...

[Greg M]

How about a Roswell in carbon? Ooo, stealth

-Greg

[Larry C]

Mike,
I plan on using carbon on my build. However, I wont be doing the entire surface in carbon, just trim here and there. I have used a lot of carbon in wood strip kayak building. It is different to work with than fiberglass.

The best looking stuff is twill weave, but it's expensive. Carbon adds a tremendous amount of stiffness wherever it's applied. There is a learning curve using carbon and it is best used in combination with s-glass for maximum strength or just e-glass.

It is black and the sun will heat it quickly, softening wood glues and the epoxy with potential problems. Keep it out of the sun most of the time. Use travel covers as canoe and kayak racers do.

Larry C