Carbon Fiber estimates ?
Hi Tech
09-14-2005, 09:58 AM
For my car, '70 Buick GS (similar to Chevelle), there are already aftermarket Fiberglass parts available, but I would like to expand the market with Different or Unique versions of the original style parts.
How can I find a manufacturer who works with Carbon Fiber, and how would I go about getting estimates? I have some of the original parts (Ram Air hood, Fenders, Rear Spoiler, etc., or even some of the smaller parts would be helpful, like Radio Bezel, or Gauge Bezel), that could be used for the template to copy, but need to find someone that could answer my questions.
Most of these original parts are almost obsolete, because they are damaged from age, or modified by owners, or just lost in salvage yards, sometimes never to be seen again. My idea is to offer a new alternative to a growing trend, as more people are recognizing the '70s Buicks for their underestimated performance, and could use the parts to improve restoration!
Can anyone help? Thanks in advance!
How can I find a manufacturer who works with Carbon Fiber, and how would I go about getting estimates? I have some of the original parts (Ram Air hood, Fenders, Rear Spoiler, etc., or even some of the smaller parts would be helpful, like Radio Bezel, or Gauge Bezel), that could be used for the template to copy, but need to find someone that could answer my questions.
Most of these original parts are almost obsolete, because they are damaged from age, or modified by owners, or just lost in salvage yards, sometimes never to be seen again. My idea is to offer a new alternative to a growing trend, as more people are recognizing the '70s Buicks for their underestimated performance, and could use the parts to improve restoration!
Can anyone help? Thanks in advance!
TheSilentChamber
09-14-2005, 03:35 PM
Check your yellow pages for custom composit manufacturers. I'm going to warn you, its going to be expensive. Alot of time has to go into making molds and such before the first piece of carbon can ever be cut.
Hi Tech
09-14-2005, 11:31 PM
Check your yellow pages for custom composit manufacturers. I'm going to warn you, its going to be expensive. Alot of time has to go into making molds and such before the first piece of carbon can ever be cut.
Is there anything you Don't know? (I mean that as a Compliment in the highest form, as I study from your knowledge of materials and techniques!)
I realize there's a cost involved, but I have a few ideas to reproduce some very wanted/needed parts, not as original, rather as an Improved version (modernized, if you will) of the original parts, and I wanted to at least get some figures to know what it would take to start.
Would you have other material suggestions for some of the pieces that I've mentioned, other than reproducing in the original materials (Fenders from Molded Plastic, instead of Steel, or a Radio Bezel from Billet Aluminum, instead of Plastic, for example)?
My ideas come from these parts that are almost obsolete, yet there is still HUGE demand to obtain them, as commonly needed parts.
Is there anything you Don't know? (I mean that as a Compliment in the highest form, as I study from your knowledge of materials and techniques!)
I realize there's a cost involved, but I have a few ideas to reproduce some very wanted/needed parts, not as original, rather as an Improved version (modernized, if you will) of the original parts, and I wanted to at least get some figures to know what it would take to start.
Would you have other material suggestions for some of the pieces that I've mentioned, other than reproducing in the original materials (Fenders from Molded Plastic, instead of Steel, or a Radio Bezel from Billet Aluminum, instead of Plastic, for example)?
My ideas come from these parts that are almost obsolete, yet there is still HUGE demand to obtain them, as commonly needed parts.
Carbon Fibre
06-17-2006, 11:36 PM
I wish I had time to write an encyclopedia on how to make things out ofcarbon fiber... It's very difficult to use effectively-no voids-,therefore very expensive. Only consider carbon for those last few ounces of saved weight, otherwise the cost is superlative. Consider Fiberglass with an epoxy resin.
Carbon Fibre
06-17-2006, 11:37 PM
There's nothing WE don't know.
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2026
