Hey.

I am in the process of looking at carbon fiber pieces for my bike. they say they use a vacuum bagging process instead of wet layering.

Does anyone know the differences between these 2 processes and if one is better than the other

 

wet layering is how all of your cheap CF pieces are made, it's honestly what gives the CF look with none of the advantages. IE hoods, wings, interior dress up kits etc.

Vacuum bagging is how the real 3d parts are made that is much much lighter and stronger. As you might imagine not cheap.

 

Vacuum forming is the process used to make cf parts. We use it to make prosthetic legs. You need a vacuum (harbor freight) and a mold for the part you want to make.

You apply a air tight bag over the "mold" then apply you fabrics, then another bag. Turn the vac on and allow it to run with the top of the bag pinched off to remove the air. After a couple of moments pour the resin through the top of thr bag and the pump with pull the resin into the fibers.

This creates a very strong and durable piece. Much stronger and easier than trying to layer wet resin soaked fiber. It does take the cost of the pump though.