I use the term 'restoration' loosely... I'm looking for fun more than stock. I recently bought my first vette (hooray!), a '68 coupe with a non-original 427, ran O.K. but needs lots of wear-and-tear addressed. So far I've replaced the rear spring with a trw composite, front springs/shocks/balljoints/tierod ends/contryl arm bushings (poly!),distributor cap,plugs,wires, points, condenser, starter, water pump, and carbuerator (a broke-down holley 600 became a shiney new Holley street avenger 670...purrrrrrrrrrrs now!).

I've acquired many of the parts I'll need to completely re-do the interior, which will start when the snow comes to stay here in Iowa. I bought some decent original '68 door panels on E-bay, and now rather than toss the tired old ones, wondered how feasable it would be to vacuum-bag some carbon cloth on the old ones to stiffen and spruce them up. The E-brake console, fragile thing that it is, would really benefit from the strength...has anyone out there tried this before? I've done a little fiberglass work before, but not bagging yet, I found a great deal on carbon cloth and bought 6 yards of 50" for a few other projects I have in mind, but have plenty to cover some interior trim if I choose. The new interior will be black or gunmetal grey anyway, and If I can coax the carbon into laying flat and keep the fibers aligned, I'm thinking it would look unique and great.

Any thoughts out there?

-Roy

 

I've got no clue about he carbon bagging thing, but welcome to the forum, anyway. Big blocks is fun!

JB

 

Roy,

You might want to check out some of the aviation oriented magazines... Those relating to homebuilt aircraft in particular as composite construction appears to be the wave of the future. There always seems to be at least one article a month on vacuum bagging composite layups in at least one of these magazines from what I have seen.

Good luck with your project!

Regards,

 

I have a friend who built his own rear-prop airplane(!), makes my car restoration seem a little humbler...I'll ask him for any tips he might have to offer. This is my absolute first automotive adventure, I'm learning it all as I go along and enjoying it immensely. My last project was a from-scratch cedar-strip canoe. Great forum! I've already become a regular reader, and I'm sure I'll have many questions as I go along.

 

I haven't worked with carbon fiber but it seems like overkill to me. The fiberglass work I've done as well as the fiberglass pieces I've made seem plenty strong for any Corvette trim items or body parts. The glass mat and resin are dirt cheap and done properly it is very stiff and strong as well as easy to work with. I've found a fiberglass roller to be very handy to get the mat to fit most contours and get air bubbles out.

 

I don't propose carbon strictly for strength, but rather for appearance. You've probably seen dashboard dress-up items with carbon on them, they have a grey/black, almost iridescent look. I agree, you can get as strong as you need with enough glass...I just wanted to combine function and appearance. Any other finish will require some kind of texturing to look good, whereas a mirror-smooth clearcoat over graphite is eye-catching all by itself if done right. If I pull it off, I'll post pictures.

-Roy

 

That does sound like a good look. I've seen aftermarket stuff for C4's and C5's with carbon fiber but never for C3's.

Good luck.