R&G Technicians Blog
Here we present topics and considerations from the day-to-day work of our technicians in loose order.
Forged Carbon
For a forged carbon design, either cut carbon fibres (3, 6 or 12 mm, see short fibres R&G) or cut-to-size TeXtreme® fabric (TeXtreme® R&G) are used.
Tutorials and examples: Example with spread tow (TeXtreme®) · Cut carbon fibre – video 1 · video 2 · video 3
Procedure for positive models (coating components)
- Coat the surface with a laminating resin such as Epoxy resin L + Hardener L (R&G).
- Sprinkle cut carbon fibres onto the surface.
- Impregnate the fibres by carefully pouring and distributing resin.
- Allow to cure or, alternatively, apply a tear-off fabric and press down.
- Sand the surface dry or wet until smooth. If tear-off fabric was used, remove it first.
- Remove dust thoroughly; the component must be dry. Seal the surface again with resin.
- After curing, wet sand repeatedly (increasingly finer) until the surface is smooth.
- Finally, coat with clear varnish (spray gun or spray can) or polish the matt surface to a high gloss.
Procedure for negative moulds (vacuum pressing)
- Apply a clear top coat, e.g. colourless EP gelcoat NOVA (R&G).
- Sprinkle in cut carbon fibres.
- Apply a layer of carbon fabric.
- Apply tear-off fabric/flow aid, e.g. Compoflex (R&G).
- Apply resin by vacuum infusion using a vacuum film and vacuum pump (e. g. example video).
- After demoulding: Clean and sand the component, then polish or coat with clear varnish.
Alternative methods
Other methods such as hand laminating or pressing into moulds are also possible.
