How to Vacuum Bag Carbon Fiber 

Great info thanks for putting this out there. One thing to think about is epoxy manufacturers usually put a ratio by volume, densities of hardener and epoxy can vary so make sure you also get the ratio by weight. In example, the epoxy I use is 2:1 by volume and 2:.88 by weight.

Love your videos man. Just found your channel a couple of days ago and I’m working my way through them. So good. Thanks for putting this content out!

You have some good videos, glad i came across you !

Thanks man your vids are very easy to follow along with.

Great vid like always man

instructions are very clear mate thx

Great and explicit, thanks do much 👍. It's really cool

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Great Demo thank you 👍

Thank you brotha! 🙏

Cheers very informative

Good hearted teacher

Awesome info! Remember most epoxy systems use volume for ratios. Weight is slightly different so for the perfect mixture and more strength in the part also look up the mix ratio by weight. For instance, my epoxy is 2:1 volume and 2:.88 weight.

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Great content AJ. I've been watching your videos for a few months now. I'm looking to make a few carbon fiber parts for my car. I'm starting out making a flat shroud sheet with cutouts. Is it better to use vac bag vs. wet lay, as well as is it better to make a mold if making multiples of the same part? Also, what is the best way to remove voids that must be cut to go around parts such as OEM hood latches and holes for screws?

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Good job awesome 👏🏻

My dude!

Hi AJ, great video mate. Just wondering what kind of thickness this panel came out at? I am looking at making some panels for my Sprintcar so need an end thickness of around 1.2 - 1.5mm. Cheers

Very interesting as I am a car guy. My thoughts are to learn what I can make little parts (Up to 12" X 4") and shape them into rounds like a half pipe. "Note; nothing structural, functional, just for looks added on. I noticed that the 3 & 12 added together where very flexible, this is what I am after! I make a paper pattern, allowing for epoxy attachment points, then shape it, stick in place and let it cure. In plastic engine parts I plan to clean (Wax & grease) scuff for a tooth, bend, shape, hold with plastic on edges and tape. At this point, just let the fresh epoxy cure for a day or two, or remove tape & plastic and move on to next item & repeat? Any suggestions or thoughts? As for tiny voids, imperfections or other, I was going to sand lightly to get anything shinny off using 600 grit hand sanded, clean with wax & grease remover and perhaps spray two coats of high solids clear coat and let it gas off. So if careful, no sags, runs or defects and just let it shine. The clear has tons of "UV" additive in it plus it will under hood and out of sunlight anyways. The shape of these add on parts will lend themselves to structural rigidity anyways so if I get the stuck, they will not be touched, just looked. Plus a two part clear coat adds rigidity anyways, while subject to engine vibration and some under hood temps not exceeding 260-280 degrees F, I think they should be fine. I was shocked when you had the bundle of two different fibers folded over for weight. I use all the PPE equipment required to stay safe but this is just an example of my over-active mind at work. Thanks for any reply as my garage is in the upper 30's F, and this activity is some distance away into April 2023 when global warming kicks in again. Funny, as kids 58 years ago, we called it summer, not global warming and seasonal temps where weather! Lol. Thanks!

Excellent video how long to leave the Epoxy resin between each layer

Nice video, thank you for sharing your process. I have a question about materials for vacuum, such as gumtape, breather and bag: are they disposable or reusable? Thank you for answering

Hey this video its soo use full as a begineer but can i know to what purpose are you use oven and if soo is there any specific temperature to bake it 🧐🧐🤔

Thanks❤. Where do you buy the vacuum bagging material? Thx

I hope and pray that your business will prosper in the highest level of prosperity and you will all ways many have jobs to make your life a great happy life ,

Great videos! I have a question regarding the vacuum process. Do you keep vacuum running through the drying process? Do you use regulator or straight from vacuum(if use regulator what is it set to or does this change According to part size)? I do refrigeration and have several vacuum pumps with different cfm. What you recommend? Sorry for all the questions

Really like your videos. Very straight forward. Dumb question though... How long is it vacuumed for and at what temperatures? And could I in theory use a vacuum cleaner?

Thanks for the vid! Just one question, is it necessary to fold the gum tape on itself? What’s the purpose of that? Thanks alot!

Awesome video, did you apply a combination of wax and pva on the mirror before applying the epoxy ?

This is extremely helpful. I’d really like to start getting into trying my hand with composites soon. How many layers of carbon would you recommend using in something like one of your splitter tunnels? The 2 layers you used for this sheet looks like too few, but I wouldn’t want to use way too many either.

What happened with the kind of foamy epoxy on the top of the fabric near the end of squeegeeing? Did you spread that out evenly or discard it?

Where do you get your carbon from? I’m a ring maker and I’ve been using round mold to pack chopped cf into but I’d rather get It in rolls

Great video very informative. I was wondering would it be possible to use one layer of carbon fiber when vacuum bagging? do you need an autoclave/ oven room for it to cure?

what if you want to lay up a concave mold? Stippling method?

If the material is going on a car. Is a 2k clear needed as a next step? Or is a uv epoxy good enough?

If I were making carbon fiber discs of approximately 20.5” in diameter should I try to cut circles first or make square panels and shaped them after curing? Thanks!

What is your table made of?

What vacuum pump do you use or that I can buy to keep it running during the curing process?

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AJ you are an artist. OK forgive me a couple lame questions. I looked up each of the addresses above but didn't see the blue peel ply, breather cloth or 3/8 vacuum hose. Pretty sure I saw the gum tape you use and the vacuum bagging. Can you put a link to their sources in a comment below ? It would be most appreciated. I may try fixing something fiberglass in the near future and I can't afford to just wing. PS Your instructional's are the hands down the best. Thanks

Is it necessary to put the item in the oven if you vacuum bag?

I think I've asked you this before but what is "dry carbon" in relation to these techniques? Also, it might not be a bad idea to put an in line "catch can" on your vacuum system

Help me out buddy, please. I’m having big trouble with the vacuum bag seal, I can’t seem to get to seal properly, always a leak. Is there a trick to sealing the bag. I start on one end and end on the other. And also, what vacuum pump do you use??? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

After you have everything ready for the vacuum, do you put it in the MDF closet to keep it warm? Is it some type of oven? Or is it just to have it isolated? 11:54

Question, and I’m new to trying carbon so please excuse me but is there any benefit to putting the resin on the part directly compared to having it pulled through with a vacuum on it? From the videos I’ve seen with vacuum bagging it seems like people normally have another tube running for the resin.

Thanks for the great video. How come you put pleats in something that is relatively thin and flat?

Doing the vacuum bag does it make the part stronger or does it just help with cutting down the weight? Watching these videos makes me think I might actually be able to make a rear spoiler for my car out of carbon fiber.

👍👍👍

got a couple questions what’s the purpose of the folds in the gum tape : whenever you vacuum bag a part do you need to bake it : what temp and how long do you bake it for Thanks!

What is the purpose of the pleats in the gum tape?

Thanks! So the vacuum bagged one is lighter and possibly stronger?

Do you keep the vacuum pump running during the entire cure or can it be separated with a quick disconnect so the part keeps it’s vacuum?

Hi AJ, noticed a perforated release film was not used on this simple layup, around how many hg of vacuum did you use so as not to pull too much resin out of the laminate?

自分用 10:32 12:23

Why the folds in the gum tape?

you think sandwich two glasses wet carbon on each side would work?

Do you provide trainings?

Hi is the oven obligatory to do this technic ?

That looks way stronger than your wet lay up

did you wet lay that before bagging??

Nice demonstration! I like your method of putting the mesh in the vacuum tube instead of wrapping it around - nice and compact. Is the MDF block just to keep the hose from wiggling around and making a leak?

AJ do you absolutely have to vacuum bag a piece? Thanks

Do I need to used clear gel coat before make panels?