carbon fibre and fibreglass

[daredevil]

Hi all, my mate is considering starting to make carbonfibre and fibreglass front ends and panels for imports and old holdens. He was just trying to get a bit of feedback from you guys and gals to see if there is a market for this sort of thing or is there a lot of people doing it already,he would be gold coast based. Any input you could put foward would be much appreciated including constructive criticism. Thanks all.

[letemlaf]

i couldnt tell ya if theres a huge demmand or not.

but if he decides to go ahead then good luck!

hes getting out there and doing what most ppl wont do, its not easy getting into business but if your successful it can be well worth the efforts

[gatty]

i would buy front bar/skirts etc for a R33 for the right prices..

BUT we want our cars to look good - so they'de have to be made to fit perfectly

[Driver]

thats a point,

thers nothing worse than a bad fitting body kit!

[gatty]

yup

[T0nyGTSt]

With the proliferation of "CLASSIC NOT PLASTIC" stickers on Holdens, I doubt non ferrous panels will ever take off

You mate has access to a carbon fiber 'autoclave'?

T.

[gatty]

maybe the VL turbo driver wannabee's might get some rice-on

[siu_loong_bao]

Hey mate,

Provided they are the right price, I am sure u'll get many interested parties.

I will arange a group buy shortly of front bonnet lids and a seperate group buy for boot lids via a Singapore distributor quoting me $800 USD plus freight for bonnet and $900USD for boot. All carbon kevlar.

If you can better that price, then I think the business will do well. If your mate needs a business partner, I may be inerested.

pm me if your do require a business partner.

Regards

Nelson.

[gatty]

800 USD!!

thats quite expenisve but i suppose it's quality materials

[T0nyGTSt]

Please note:

Carbon kevlar is not carbon fibre and there's a big difference between Japanese carbon fibre and the sort of bonnets we get here which is a sheet of carbon on a sheet of fiberglass or plastic.

I doubt the ones we see here are ever baked in an autoclave.

That's my impression.

T.

[GTRman1992]

True, but baking in an autoclave is only required if you use particular resins. You can also vacumn bag it too if you like. At the end of the day you want to buy what is fit for purpose. No point paying for processes only requried for aircraft industry etc.

There is nothing wrong with fibre glass inbetween carbon fibre. Both exibit good and different properties. Same goes for kevlar. Try to have a think about what you are trying to achieve then select the right materials and processes.

[knore]

True, but baking in an autoclave is only required if you use particular resins. You can also vacumn bag it too if you like. At the end of the day you want to buy what is fit for purpose. No point paying for processes only requried for aircraft industry etc.

There is nothing wrong with fibre glass inbetween carbon fibre. Both exibit good and different properties. Same goes for kevlar. Try to have a think about what you are trying to achieve then select the right materials and processes.

Props to you, VERY well said

[51jay]

800 USD!!

thats quite expenisve but i suppose it's quality materials

Thats about $A1100 why do you think thats expensive??

Nelson Have you seen a sample of this Singapore stuff?? what will freight cost be ?? what about import duty and GST??

You can get good quality products made locally for very compettative prices

eg Bootlid $880 bonnet $1430 frontbar $880

[25GTT]

would he be interested in doing widebody kits or GTR style panels?

[51jay]

would he be interested in doing widebody kits or GTR style panels?

Check out www.customcarbon.com.au

[Elithrar]

Hmm, also, isn't the carbon-kevlar composite less likely to fragment and shatter in the case of an accident (unlike carbon fibre-fibreglass). Which means you can drive it on the street without fear of injuring someone (severely) should you have an accident.

I could be wrong, though.

[daredevil]

he has access to an atuoclave but reckons its not necessary he mentioned something about the vacumn bag and he can and will use kevlar carbon fibre if need be one time consuming thing is making the moulds or sourcing them for each or bar.

[STR86T]

on the topic of shattering and injuring someone are carbon bonnets rwc????

[predator]

There would be quite a few people interested I would say.

You are more likely to make a worthwhile business out of bodykits and the like, or a range of unique custom bodykits that aren't available anywhere else. Most of the bodykits available in Australia for Skylines and most of the Nissans are of about 5 different types. Pretty poor selection, and to get something different requires a lot of money and/or shipped from overseas.

Fibreglass or carbon fibre of course are neato but there are legal conisderations for the end consumer. Replacing a factory metal panel with a fibreglass one is technically illegal, and if involved in accident, insurance may not pay out, etc as the structural integridy of the car is reduced. To be honest I'm not sure how comfortable I would be driving around in a street car with key items replaced with fibreglass. Would you trust a fibreglass door to save you if somebody t-boned you at speed? Of course that probably isn't your problem, but may prevent potential buyers.

That custom carbon mob can make anything it looks like anything, so you would be in competion with them and established places such as UAS.

[Craved]

any updates on this venture??