How to make a fake Carbon Fiiber nose cone

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sandman

sandman

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I have a customer requesting a "fake" carbon fiber or carbon fiber "look a like" nose cone.

He suggested adding graphite powder to the epoxy when I cover the foam core with light glass cloth.

This is a small project, only a 20mm nose cone.

Has anyone tried this?

Would it work or just make a mess?
 
There is a process called Hydrographics that I have seen used to apply a carbon fiber look to R/C sailboats. Properly done and clearcoated it is indistinguishable from a carbon-weave finish even upon very close inspection. Here is an example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKuXyeAGzEU

You could make a fiberglass nosecone with black dye in the resin to help hide scratches and then use this process for the pretty carbon weave effect. That would be the best-looking solution, and it is very light weight and not terribly expensive.
 
wfcook said:
There is a process called Hydrographics that I have seen used to apply a carbon fiber look to R/C sailboats. Properly done and clearcoated it is indistinguishable from a carbon-weave finish even upon very close inspection. Here is an example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKuXyeAGzEU

You could make a fiberglass nosecone with black dye in the resin to help hide scratches and then use this process for the pretty carbon weave effect. That would be the best-looking solution, and it is very light weight and not terribly expensive.
Click to expand...

Not terribly expensive no but, that seems like a lot to do to make a one off 4" long nose cone to fit a BT-20.
 
sandman said:
Not terribly expensive no but, that seems like a lot to do to make a one off 4" long nose cone to fit a BT-20.
Click to expand...

True...unless you wanted to expand your decal services...

Seems like it would be cheaper and easier just to make the thing out of Carbon.
 
The problem is this cone is so small I only need maybe 10 square inches of carbon cloth.
 
kjohnson said:
https://www.fibreglast.com/product/Carbon_Fiber_Sample_Pack_04005_A/sample-packs-fiberglass

kj
Click to expand...

That's pretty good. Another source would be eBay - there's generally regular availability of carbon remnants. This dealer:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/allredanda..._DefaultDomain_0&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

... is pretty good -- their triangular remnants are a good deal (I've bought some and have been satisfied with them). There are others.

[Disclaimer: not affiliated w/ allredassoc]

-- john.
 

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