Mixing Epoxy Resin for Carbon Fiber Infusion

[@thebrodnaxs8304]

The more i watch your vids the more motivated i become to actually start making my own CF parts. Thanks.

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

Excellent!

[@usd25674]

Thanks for the video, I am a newbie, so thorough explanation is much appreciated.

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

I'm glad the video was helpful.

[@2WheelsSometimes1]

Thank you bud for sharing the mixing equation. That will make life a lot easier for me.

[@petermyers3498]

Another great video! I might add for the novice that pot life will be A LOT shorter than working time. I generally use 100g of resin at a time and then add my ratio'd hardener to it. Mine comes out to 66g hardener for every 100g resin. Makes for easy calculation. I'll start the infusion then mix another pot on the side and add as needed. Doing this has a sort of double-cup method built right in. Though these long form calculations will help immensely for larger parts!

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

Very true - had one pot almost burst into flames while the lines and mold were still 8 hours from hardening.

[@tylerlarson373]

1 minute into the video and I'm glad I'm used to mixing paint in the body shop haha

[@1uzfe]

You might not realize this but I’m gonna use all your videos in like 10 years probably as documentation for making carbon fibre parts for my car.

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

Excellent!

[@methuso]

thanks for a very nice series. ive read recommendations from manufacturers (and pros int the field) that once you feel youve mixed it enough, to pour it into a second container and keep mixing to be VERY sure the chemicals really is mixed and no unmixed parts are left.

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

You really have to watch the bottom/sides. You'd hate to not have the epoxy harden completely.

[@alanmony1582]

I'll never do this, but I like watching your vids!

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

Did you watch right until the end? LOL.

[@alanmony1582]

@@ThrottleStopGarage Of course, how else could I avoid doing my own project?

[@vinnbrock]

Thank you for another great video! Keep em coming!

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

Thanks Vinn.

[@lordsiomai]

My university brought me here. nice vid! Shawtawt Pelska!

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

Well, I'm glad to see that your University is investing in your future.

[@ToolsOutsideTheBox]

Good video 👍 I like to use a mixing rod on my drill (you can get them to fit quart or pint sized containers). After mixing the 2 parts, I like to mix in some denatured alcohol, until the cloudiness goes away. This will temporarily thin the epoxy resin, extend the set time and degas the mix. Btw, wood will absorb the thinner mix like a sponge and cure like petrified wood

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

Thanks, I didn't know about the denatured alcohol trick.

[@hoffbug]

First video I'll check out when I get home from work. Have you ever figured out a type of resin that stands up to heat ?

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

They exist, but usually can't go much beyond 150º C. I'd suggest looking at other thermal barriers (gold foil products) - check out this foil insulation from Pegasus Auto Racing (www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=11221)

[@handleymachine4421]

That was an awesome video! Very well explained. I’ve enjoyed a few of your videos. And I gotta admit that you got me thinking of taking on a project.

[@maddsperformance]

Yet another very informative video. I like to divide the total resin by 1.274 to get my resin content. 27.4% is the same as saying 3.65/1 so dividing by 1.274 gets the same output.

[@paullatour7012]

Another great instructional video! Was that a tip of the hat to Buckethead or just a bucket on your head?

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

I think that was about the tenth try to not muck up the second try at getting an intro and explanation for this video done. I forgot I was goofing around and it made me laugh.

[@tomuchfunwithgas846]

More good info, thanks.

[@DMAX_DIY]

Nice video friend! Question : Is it a good idea to de-gas the epoxy/hardener mix if you are doing a wet layup? or just if it's for infusion? I'm doing a wet lay over foam.

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

I really didn't see any difference in my infusion because I'm infusing so slowly. I've only done one wet layup (shifter) and it also worked fine. I did sand and clear that part.

[@DMAX_DIY]

@@ThrottleStopGarage Thanks buddy! It makes sense to go the extra mile and degas the liquid. I'll probably order one.. it was about $130 on amazon from today's look.

[@ntrddragn]

Do you weigh the carbon fiber stack on scale? Also, wouldn't the vacuum bagging remove the air out of the resin so you don't need to put it in a vacuum pot?

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

I do weigh the carbon before it goes into the mold and then I weigh whatever I cut off to get a final weight. You don't really need to degass for infusion, but it's not a bad practice. For those doing raw carbon parts that will be cleared, every little bit helps.

[@bradmaas6875]

Excellent job. .

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

Thanks Brad

[@ankushgatti4754]

So the fabrics weigh 3kg?.. if not, how to take fabric to epoxy ratio?

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

Yes - so then it's a bit of an estimate for epoxy weight. I normally shoot for 1.4 X fabric weight. This generally worked but does depend on the size of the mold and the other materials.

[@j.a.3138]

how do you calculate 2:1 ratio. 2 parts resin 1 part hardener. Working on 4 car parts (radio dash kit, shifter, etc)

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

Follow the instructions in the video. If it's 2:1 by weight, then 3 parts is the total and resin is 2/3 and hardener is 1/3.

[@unclemilford]

great video. what did you buy from amazon to help aerate the epoxy? I may have missed it somewhere

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

The vacuum pump and stainless tank/lid/gauge were an Amazon purchase. Aside from the pump leaking oil, it works fine for what it is.

[@GrayRaceCat]

@@ThrottleStopGarage Would it be possible to use the same vacuum pump for both degassing and infusion?

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

@GrayRaceCat sure. There's no reason it can't do double duty.

[@GrayRaceCat]

@@ThrottleStopGarage I have a small pump like the one you used in this video (an old A/C vacuum pump) it “leaks everywhere more than anyplace else” and it’s LOUD! I’d rather use the type you bought for resin infusion.

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

@@GrayRaceCat a good pump is certainly worth the investment.

[@60FootFab]

I owe you one buddy, you help me make a turbo mani and now with composites

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

That's awesome! Glad it was helpful.

[@nathanielmusial9853]

I think your calculations are doing a 40/60 fiber|resin ratio. I keep trying to accomplish 60/40 and keep adding around 400 grams on the fly. Going to just try this and see how it goes. Had a part get air in the line because my vacuum was too heavy and bucket to big.😀

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

You have to use more resin for infusions because of the waste in the lines and consumables. My parts were turning out at optimal resin/fiber ratios.

[@zip7806]

put your barrel of resin on a shelf over the scale. pore right in the bucket while its on the scale.

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

Nice tip! Thanks.

[@Rhapsheet]

Oh man i didnt understand that math at all lol. Do you have any links

[@ThrottleStopGarage]

Nope - there are other sites that cover it. Where did I loose you? That's the way the epoxy comes most of the time - odd ratios of resin to hardener by weight.

[@TheBaconWizard]

Seriously. anyone that has been to school can do this.

[@Rhapsheet]

@@TheBaconWizard cool