Carbon Fiber Infusion- Beginner How To

[@110eidyR]

I like all your videos but these "how to" are on top. I do some simple carbon car parts as hobby and your tutorials boosted my confidence. Just released my 2nd product using vacuum bag. Thank you. 👍

[@ajhartmanaero]

Nice! Glad they helped.

[@williamlanphar630]

I definitely enjoyed the slower presentation as it allowed me to verify a couple details I was not entirely certain of from previous videos.

[@jr3628]

overall the amount of information is digestible and useful. thanks for all the insight into your process.

[@tyneangela]

Thank you so much for your helpful videos! I am working on building a carbon fiber harp, and your tutorials have helped me so much. Your generocity is appreciated 😊🙏🏾

[@g.tucker8682]

Enjoying all your how-to playlist, but especially THIS one! So much additional instruction here, very valuable. Little details like flange size, types of peel ply, keeping the mold release away from the outer edge, and much more. The other demos are interesting, but lacking this level of instruction. I hope you include a discussion on types of core materials, thickness, when to use, etc. Thanks for sharing your knowledce!

[@firemanfred9471]

Well DONE friend. Congratulations from South Africa...👏🏽🙏🏾❤️🇿🇦🚒

[@maxp8892]

Thank you for this video, I have watched lots of videos and people rush thru the process. This one is perfect with you comments and explanations of what and why you are doing what you do. VERY Helpful. It is something that inspires me to give carbon a try for my car.

[@SomeGuyInSandy]

Thanks for sharing your process! I am gearing up to build glass and carbon rc glider wings, etc. Infusion may be a ways out for me, but it is nice to see how it works from beginning to end!

[@RedRoofGarage]

Love these "how to" videos! Hope to see more. I learned working with some composites in the Air Force, certain planes used a lot of composites but mostly vacuum bagging sheetmetal with a honeycomb core or Kevlar(not a lot of mold/plug making). I'm really interested in how to switch my past knowledge to CF. Thanks for sharing! 👍

[@sms9106]

Love the informative play by play - excellent job.

[@RuskiWeldFab]

brilliant! exactly what I needed. literally about to make my first infused part.

[@ajhartmanaero]

Surprised you haven’t made one yet!

[@RuskiWeldFab]

@@ajhartmanaero haha me too. just never had a need for it.

[@ajhartmanaero]

@@RuskiWeldFab lookin forward to the video.

[@ChromaticVideos]

Loved this one AJ! All of the in process tips are really helpful and don't usually get included in summary type how-to videos. Keep up the awesome work!

[@DragonEyeOfficial]

those small video answer like 100 question i had. just like the small tack spray washable with acetone, look dumb but it have save a "scrape" parts yesterday to a ready to ship part ! thx man ! have a nice day !

[@JOEGGGJOE]

Another great video. Nice t shirt, NJ 👍.

[@jezlucas3878]

Brilliant, I've made kiteboards using vacuum but not infusion Thanks for the share

[@dittilio]

Fantastic presentation of a lot of nuances that I expect are hard learned lessons. Thank you!

[@s.godbur3589]

I just need a oven, great vid much appreciated

[@HellgrunEngineering]

Learned so much from this channel over the last few months, great content! I made my first infused part over the weekend, and it came out well except for one issue, but watching this video solved it.😎 (Hanging the resin pot to remove air from the feed line)

[@ianwaterbury1141]

Amazing video as always! Could you post some on mold making?

[@ajhartmanaero]

Yeah. Did one a little bit ago of my airbox lid. I plan to do some in the future but just gotta find the time. Molds are extemely time consuming.

[@bobdumlao9186]

Great video! Learned a lot just from watching this video. Thank you!

[@spiroskatsikas]

Really great no time lapse can see everything great video 👍

[@mykul001]

Thank you for sharing. I always wondered how this was done

[@ivegonemad]

Thank you for taking the time! Your videos are giving me confidence to take on carbon fiber projects!

[@plan9203]

Hey AJ, love the videos. I saw you use a clear coat on your molds in a lot of your other videos. Are you just using a 2k acrylic urethane, or does it have to be a clear gel coat? And are you waiting for full cure or scuffing it up before doing lay up?

[@DirtyBond]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge/these videos, such a huge help please keep them coming ❤

[@ritamghosh6930]

Love your videos! For your other composite videos, you mentioned how much epoxy mixture to use with respect to weight of fabric. For this infusion process, how did you calculate the amount of resin? Thanks!

[@mr.motivid7354]

Awesome. Learned so much from this one video. Where do you get your carbon fiber? I notice yours is a lot thicker with each layer compared to the ones I have

[@SameDayFleet2]

Love the videos, only thing I'm questioning for clarity is the oven. Why bake the parts?

[@RLCPLUMBINGLLC]

I use the scissors in my shop and they work very well. I got a lot of my ideas for my shop from you suggestions I figure if it works try it and then tweak it to my liking thanks for all you help.

[@anasaziz6833]

You are an artist bro, great work

[@CrazyCat229]

Thanks for all the helpful info!

[@murraymadness4674]

I'm curious that with a part this small, can't you use an actual bag instead of making one with the tape etc

[@JMAZDASPD]

Sorry, Can you explain again how you determine the ratio again?

[@chichang3605]

I love this so much,and I am very appreciate about that.

[@vbkapousidis]

Thank you for the tutorial. I am a new subscriber. What epoxy do you use? Also, it looked like your ovenware a wooden cabinet. What is the temperature are you curing your part in?

[@luislopez995]

Awesome video Boss..!!!!!!🎉🎉🎉 These step by step motivates and gave confidence in how to do this….

[@johnrisher3007]

Thanks brother 🙏. Lots of info

[@CharlesJohnson-y8b]

can you make side fairing pieces for 2011 hayabusa? I could send the fairings to make the mold

[@SubiLifeCo]

Just Awesome thanks for sharing and your time bro!

[@karkanan6208]

i have a question,i see bubbles passing throw the tube,can these bubles trapped inside the part and cause delamination in the future?are these voids considered pressure raising points?i want to make parts for cars using this method,also can u make a vid on how to make molds?

[@4x4outfitter56]

Great informative video!

[@NimblyJimbly]

Awesome video! Love your teaching style. All of the detailed information and tips were fantastic! Thanks for putting this together. I think it would be really cool to see something similar on a bigger more complex part. 🙂👍🏼

[@ajhartmanaero]

I’ve been thinking about it. It will literally be almost the exact same thing, but just bigger. So not sure how valuable it would be.

[@AhmadSyaheen-f8d]

How clean the mold after infusion proses???

[@infinite540]

Do you ever use clear gel coat in the mold before layup?

[@junioral9451]

How do you make a mold for the carbon fiber. Also whats the difference between infusion and just putting eproxy & harderner with a brush and then layering it again until it solid. I dont know what its called but too me it look like just drying.

[@Raminparvari-pv]

‏For the first time, I bought carbon fiber fabric and epoxy resin. Can I make the spoiler of my car carbon fiber? Please, someone who knows, tell me the simple steps of the work. I have seen a video on KZbin. Where should I do it? How many times and how many layers should I apply epoxy after gluing the carbon fiber? And my spoiler has color, do I have to remove the color completely or is it enough to sand it so that scratches are created? Thank you for your help

[@dredre9484]

Awsome is it a good idea to hit the epoxy with a heat gun to get rid of bubbles?and what temperature is your oven cheers keep it up bro

[@mahyuddinrazali854]

The vacuum must be left on when the oven in on?

[@marknixon594]

Do you make custom carbon fiber parts, I need an engine cover made. If I ship my engine cover to you would you be able to make a shell that goes over it or the whole thing?

[@chevychad]

Which resin would you recommend for doing infusion on an engine bay part?

[@supramarco6775]

Great video.

[@raynyhus2026]

Temp is your oven running at? Thanks

[@OneLSpeeed]

Love the content man! Idk if anyone else has asked but where are you getting your fiber weaves from?

[@carbonaestheticsipoh352]

As always....very nice video from you... cheers....

[@youtuberAstar]

Many thanks for sharing. Could you please show us the clear coat spray you use on the moulds. Is it epoxy clear or something else. Cheers mate.

[@justtheotherdave]

How do you decide when extra reinforcement is needed in particular areas, and when/where to use core material?

[@ajhartmanaero]

Years of experience.

[@kruzmanastra]

Hi , your work is luxurious . I would like to start and try it too , can I ask what weight of carbon fibre you use ? Thank you

[@lovelessissimo]

Are you able to make CF wheels?

[@mrsimo7144]

Thanks for this. What vacuum pressure did you use? Thanks again.

[@JoeyKiller86]

I´ve watched a bunch of these videos on how to work with carbon fiber and epoxy and none seems to address how to protect themselves. I´ve read some about it that you should have extremely good protection and ventilation when handling epoxy and when your sanding and cut the parts. Is a h-vac and good protection mask enough? How bad is this really? The reason for me asking is that I have never handled this sort of stuff and I´m going to reinforce a guitar neck.

[@ajhartmanaero]

Definitely protect your lungs with a respirator. Some people get much itchier than others. It’s similar to fiberglass but I’m not worried about it on my skin but you can always go above and beyond on ppe.

[@Dennis_spl]

hello friend I always follow you, can you give me some advice to eliminate pin flowers on the surface? I'm going crazy 🤷

[@christiankrippenstapel4336]

Great! 👌 By the way: is this vacuum-technique feasible for making carbon-epoxy layers on wood?

[@TrackDayVideo]

Great vid as usual

[@alanswanson1952]

How did you resurface your mold spray and then sand gellcoat?

[@joannebabesestacio577]

I’m curious about after you used the vacuum, did you turn it off before you applied resin infusion?

[@rikoandriyan1401]

Mantap , itu anti lengket moulding merk apa ya?

[@garagespooky8193]

Awesome work sir.

[@brendond9075]

Can you make a video on how you make your molds?

[@ajhartmanaero]

Search my videos. Did one several videos ago.

[@printrun5]

wondering how do you know ( calculate) of how much of the plastic (bag) will you need. and how do you measure amount of resin you need per cast. thank you!

[@ajhartmanaero]

Measure your gum tape and weigh your carbon.

[@gitkrunk2]

Is there a video of making a mold? Or did I miss the video

[@ajhartmanaero]

Did one a bit ago.

[@abatesnz]

Should you get rid of the chunks of left overs before you apply the releasing agent?

[@ajhartmanaero]

If it’s not part of the finished part there’s not much reason to but you can if you want to.

[@hoppeanofasgard1365]

How are some people avoiding the air bubbles with out using this vacuum method? I see so many just brushing the resin on and letting it sit in open air.

[@adematthewsracing]

It isn't really about avoiding air bubbles it's about getting the resin all the way through the material and getting consolidation through the layers. With wet layup you end up using more resin and more weight with more risk of dry patches.

[@danielh4759]

I could really use your help with a sunsheild video. I just had a disaster and had to wipe it all out of my first mold. The surface tension would not hold a consistent film. I followed all the instructions from duratec. How are you doing it? What product are you using for a clear topcoat?

[@deestersvega807]

ALL THIS AND MORE ON THE NEXT!!!!!!

[@deestersvega807]

🤦🏿‍♂️💬FUCK!!!!!

[@antonioss6912]

Congratulations for the tutorial, I wanted to ask you if the vacuum pump must suck until it catalyzes the resin or as soon as it reaches the gel point it must detach, isn't there a risk that it sucks in too much resin?

[@mckenziekeith7434]

There are two separate issues. ONE: you need to stop the infusion when the part is fully infused. You don't want to suck resin into your resin trap or vacuum pump. That is why he clamped off the resin input line. That stops resin from flowing. TWO: you need to keep the part under vacuum until the resin cures. If there are no leaks, you can clamp off the vacuum line and turn off the vacuum pump, and the part will stay under vacuum. If there are leaks, in infusion, that can be a big problem because air will get sucked in through the leaks and may cause bubbles in the resin. The air will also release the vacuum pressure which is needed to make a strong part.

[@240Tony]

Thank you for the video!

[@johnbankston3967]

Thank you for an awesome video!

[@TheShaddix]

Hey, nice video! Not sure if you eventually figured it out, but your mixing ratio is way off. Since this resin kit is 3:1, you divide part A (resin) by 3.65 which in your case should have been 20.87g of hardener.

[@ajhartmanaero]

What numbers did I use? Edit: went back to make sure I didn’t mess up. So your case works but you have to remember to zero the scale. My way of x1.27 allows me to just pour up to a total. If you want to get super technical it should be x1.2739 which would account for the .3 of a gram which I doubt you could hit that exact anyway, and is still well within the margin of mix ratio error. So no, my ratio is not way off. Just a different way to do it. This stems from my other infusion epoxy that I use 95% of the time that is a 100:30 ratio.

[@TheShaddix]

@@ajhartmanaero Oh, I didn't realize you didn't zero the scale. In that case it's all good. It was just confusing how you explained it that's all. If your part B were 20.87g in total after the scale read zero, then that's the correct weight for the hardener. However you arrive at that is your method but it is more confusing than what the bottle says.

[@ajhartmanaero]

@@TheShaddix Yeah if I exclusively used this epoxy your way makes sense. For congruence of process with my other epoxies I do the math as shown. You end up at the same point.

[@TheShaddix]

@@ajhartmanaero That's all that matters!

[@don4tell0]

Hi, what an inspirative video..I like all your video. I just learn carbon fiber infusion from your video. I tried so many time but why I never have a clear finish like that? Mine is always looks muddy.

[@ajhartmanaero]

Poor mold surface probably.

[@don4tell0]

@@ajhartmanaero thank you for your help, I'll try to make a better mold tomorrow.

[@snakeraven]

don't use econolease use super F by airtech its not coated and it releases way better just costs a bit more

[@JSG1901]

This was great, thanks! Two questions: How much vacuum do you use, and how hot is your oven? Thanks again!

[@ajhartmanaero]

Full vac and depends on epoxy specifications.

[@BenPenner-kn6kf]

where abouts are you located ? i want to hire you to build me a custom project im working on.

[@huizdeeze1075]

Thank you!

[@williamgray8054]

Great idea good job

[@LauralieChapadosIFBBPro]

Hi! Thank you for the video. I have a question for you and as you seem the expert of Carbon Fiber. Do you think it’s realistic to do a full floor of carbon fiber? Would you recommend it? With a translucent epoxy on top? Where do you get your rolls of Carbon Fibers from your previous video?

[@ajhartmanaero]

It’s worth a shot if you want. I get my carbon from sollercompositesllc.com/

[@nunuland69]

Hey AJ, the oven, is that homemade? Also is the purpose for it to shorten cure time as to letting a part cure in ambient temperature? Thanks!

[@Malibuair]

How cool! How large of a part can you use the infused technique?

[@ajhartmanaero]

Very very large.

[@Malibuair]

@@ajhartmanaero Ha, thank you for the reply. I've been binge-watching your videos today. All very cool to learn. Thank you for sharing.

[@edbertouille4983]

any idea when fox parts might come out on the store? really looking forward to those! keep this stuff up bro

[@ajhartmanaero]

Honestly. Probably never. No market to recoup costs unfortunately and I don't have a fox to make parts for fun.

[@leakermcsqueaker7942]

There big in the drag racing scene. Carbon fox parts would make a killer fortune there!

[@edbertouille4983]

@@ajhartmanaero all good, would there be a chance I could contact you and you could make a set if I sent over some parts for molds and stuff?

[@ajhartmanaero]

@@edbertouille4983 just a heads up that molds are extremely time consuming to make. So if you want a part bad enough, shoot me an email.

[@AyBee.x]

Seeing how you do things is really interesting, coming from an automotive background and using prepreg as opposed to how you do it with infusion is what interests me the most! Where did you gain your experience or are you self taught? Also, what is the reason for infusion over prepreg?

[@ajhartmanaero]

Self taught. Wouldn’t use prepreg enough to justify the costs plus I don’t have an oven to get hot enough.

[@carlosmontoya5657]

nice video!! do U recommend breather cloth on this infused parts?

[@ajhartmanaero]

I would advise against using breather cloth on infusions.

[@youtuberAstar]

Where do you buy your materials, carbon fibre etc. Thanks

[@ajhartmanaero]

Carbon I pretty much always get from Sollarcomposites.com. Everything else whoever has what I need at the best price haha.

[@poltdesigns]

Hey Aj. Got another question. What bagging film are you using? I am expirementing with various types and curious what you are using here? I have tried Airtech WL5400 and recenetly Stretchlon 200. Had wonderful results with the stretchlon in terms of it taking shape around my mold, but felt it was a little annoying to bag due to how soft and flimy it is. Thanks as always sir!

[@ajhartmanaero]

US Composites for my bagging film.

[@poltdesigns]

Aj did you find the CompositeEvisions resin better for small parts vs the USComposites? Or just a matter of what is available in front of you?

[@ajhartmanaero]

I got the CE infusion epoxy and the US composites is for Vac bagging stuff as it’s a thicker viscosity. So can’t do a direct comparison.

[@poltdesigns]

@@ajhartmanaero Ohh! My mistake. I watched so many of your videos got the resins confused for which process. Thank you for sharing all your knoledge Aj!

[@WarriorOfEden3033]

Just watched a guy make a hood out of carbon Kevlar & carbon fiber with nothing else. No mold no peel ply or net. He only vacuum bagged to fuse the reinforcement part to the shell

[@skipwilson4792]

Thank You.

[@AlfonsoCardozo]

GJ man, would be nice to see how u making hood in real time)

[@ajhartmanaero]

I did a hood video but real time would be like a 4 hour video.

[@JDM_L3g3nd]

Just a thought since I know you did a good video already and it was great, but what if you did a "real" time one and just cut out a lot of the repetitive stuff, like show laying up the carbon, but do one layer, then cut out the rest, show laying up one side of the gum tape, but cut out the rest, it might be helpful to do that way, and not a four hour video? Either way, love your content, it has helped me a ton with my own composite work, just seeing someone in an actual shop doing the work, not a giant production company with unlimited budget.

[@lmSteveo]

Can you infuse with out an oven for post cure?

[@ajhartmanaero]

yes

[@lmSteveo]

@@ajhartmanaero if I don’t need to post heat in the oven when infusing, what’s the difference with infusion vs bagging? Pros and cons with both?

[@alycapo3391]

Did you have to cure it in an oven or just leave it at room temperature?

[@ajhartmanaero]

You can do either.

[@akeemgriffiths4459]

Do you use a cnc machine to make your molds?

[@ajhartmanaero]

We have not yet but just brought a cnc in house so we may on future parts.

[@akeemgriffiths4459]

@ajhartmanaero I just saw a video of you making a battery bracket, I'm new to your channel so I'm watching both old and current stuff. So yeah look out for my comments.

[@calico88]

No in mold coating ? Any options in mold coating brands ?

[@ajhartmanaero]

Not this one.

[@calico88]

@@ajhartmanaero when you must using it ? What brand’s you know in the market ?