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Chassis Panels - Carbon Fibre?

JimSpencer - 30/9/08 at 08:11 PM

Hi

Need to do a winter rebuild, the poor thing's getting very tatty, so it's time for a complete strip and sort out.

When thinking about re-doing the chassis panelling it's become apparent that good Ally isn't that much cheaper than Carbon Fibre..
As it's like painting the forth bridge keeping ally clean and you have to cover the insides of it with something to avoid the black marks on clothes bit, I'm very inclinded to go for Carbon for the sides and rear, just keep ally for the floor (as it'll give a bit if bashed)

Any reasons why this is a daft idea anybody, have I overlooked something obvious?

blakep82 - 30/9/08 at 08:14 PM

carbon ftw any day!

although, it is still very expensive... what about fibreglass?

Alan B - 30/9/08 at 08:16 PM

ftw?

blakep82 - 30/9/08 at 08:17 PM

for the win

Paul TigerB6 - 30/9/08 at 08:18 PM

Carbon effect ABS plastic???

skodaman - 30/9/08 at 08:22 PM

Plasterboard ftw (for the wallet lol). Yes it's not waterproof but no-one uses these cars in the rain anyway.

scoop - 30/9/08 at 08:23 PM

Your car looks great. How about just paint it all black? It would look pretty mean.

twybrow - 30/9/08 at 08:24 PM

Be aware that depending upon what resin/lacquer you use, the panels will probably change colour in the sun. Plus, it scratches easily (no more than Alu, but more of an arse to polish back out). Also, you would need to make bespoke panels, as it won't bend/form like Alu will!

Richard Quinn - 30/9/08 at 11:14 PM

Rear panel would be a bit of a b*gger! Also, as mentioned above, very few expoxies are UV stable and will degrade/discolour over time.
Worth bearing in mind that carbon on it's own (no other cloth) is actually relatively fragile. Stone impacts etc could do quite a lot of damage.

procomp - 1/10/08 at 06:59 AM

Hi Jim.

Why not use 0.7 NS4 / 5251 grade aluminium. Then bond and rivet. This will strengthen the chassis considerably. For protection just paint it.

Price a 2m x 1M sheet should be no more than Ł25 Ea If brought in a small quantity Ie 2-3 sheets.

Cheers Matt

JimSpencer - 1/10/08 at 07:58 AM

Hi All

Thanks for the feedback, must admit had forgotten that carbon isn't UV stable..

Not keen on the plastic - though thanks for the suggestion, and as for not being used in the rain - you haven't been to an Anglesey sprint in the summer then?

Matt - you have U2U as I must be contacting the wrong suppliers!

Thanks All!