Carbon Fiber

[Bully]

Sorry folks, but I'm obsessed with the stuff. 
I want to back my convoluted self-style bow with it.  More for appearance than anything.  I'm wondering if anyone has done anything similar and if so, what glue you used and how did it all work out.
I'm not going to use any of the resins specifically for CF as they will most likely be too brittle and wind up cracking on me. 
My thought is to use either EA-40 or Titebond III on the back of the bow and lay the CF over it.  Let it dry and then trim it.  Almost like a modern skin. 

Anyone have any thoughts? 

[Wolftrail]

"my convoluted self-style bow"  Are you talking Self bow, in that case I would not do it, and if so use EA-40.

[OkKeith]

Bully-

Are you wanting real CF or just the CF "look"?

OkKeith

[Bully]

I have a ribbon of CF on the way.  My plan is to, when the blank is ready, glue it on similar to the way a skin or sinew is glued on.  I realize it will be mostly for show.  It WILL keep the bow from blowing up incase there is a failure, so that's good.  It'll just be a fancy backing. 
I have both EA40 and Titebond III floating around. 
Bow will be a Hickory backed Ipe bow.  In the style of a self-bow... kind of. 

[Shredd]

Your Trippin'...   

[Flem]

Sounds interesting, can't wait to see how it turns out. You might want to make sure the carbon is completely
encased in epoxy.
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[monterey]

Limbsations has a carbon look product.

[Mad Max]

Faux Vinyl Carbon fiber tape is what you need (for looks).
Real carbon fiber is not going to work, but I would like to SEE what would happen the first time you draw it back.

[Shredd]

If you want something cool go to the fabric store and pick out a cotton print and do it with that...  There is a lot that you are not taking into account...

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[Bully]

There is a lot that you are not taking into account...

Like...?

[monterey]

Rich, do you put that over or under the glass?  If it's over, what glue do you use?

[Pat B]

A hickory backed bow(not a selfbow) shouldn't need any other backing. Hickory makes a very strong backing and pairs up well with ipe. If a hickory backing blows up it is bad hickory. The only thing adding carbon fiber to the back will add is excess physical weight to the bow. If you want to pretty it up use snake skins, printed thin cloth(like Shedd suggests) or rawhide with artwork on it.

[Roy from Pa]

Fuggers ole Shreddy would use a purty posey print..

[KenH]

If you want the black look, use black silk, or just electrical tape (!!!!).  That carbon fiber won't work like you think it will..

[Bully]

If you want the black look, use black silk, or just electrical tape (!!!!).  That carbon fiber won't work like you think it will..

What does that mean? 

[OkKeith]

Bully-

I haven't messed with any of the woven carbon fiber material but does it stretch? Anything you put on the back of a bow needs to be able to stretch and then return in order for it to work. Correspondingly anything on the belly must compress and then return. There is a layer ("somewhere") in the middle of the bow stack that is neutral and neither stretches or compresses. The types of backing and belly materials determine where the neutral spot is and it is sometimes not right in the middle.

I think what the guys are eluding to is that a backing material that will not stretch will hamper the performance of the bow or might damage it because it moves the neutral layer too far away from center. Also, if it doesn't stretch when you draw the bow it might just pop off or be wrinkly.

If you are wanting the woven carbon look, take a look at this stuff: https://vvividshop.com/collections/carbon-fiber

I ordered and just received some adhesive backed VViVid vinyl in a desert camo that I will be applying to some limbs. I think it will work well.

OkKeith

[Shredd]

If you want the black look, use black silk, or just electrical tape (!!!!).  That carbon fiber won't work like you think it will..

What does that mean?

  Basically what Keith said... The carbon will more than likely crush the belly wood... Plus a few other things like some resins are good for wetting out fibers and some are better at adhesion...  EA-40  is more an adhesive... When you use the wrong materials or wrong methods to achieve a certain goal you will be in for a surprise and more than likely it will not be good...  Thats why no one is too supportive of your idea and giving you other options...  They are just too nice to say that you are Trippin'...     Don't take my humor to heart...  I blew up my first few bows using the wrong materials...  We all been there...  Good Luck to you...

[Shredd]

Fuggers ole Shreddy would use a purty posey print..

   Thats called Camo...     Your just jealous...   

[Bully]

If you want the black look, use black silk, or just electrical tape (!!!!).  That carbon fiber won't work like you think it will..

What does that mean?

  Basically what Keith said... The carbon will more than likely crush the belly wood... Plus a few other things like some resins are good for wetting out fibers and some are better at adhesion...  EA-40  is more an adhesive... When you use the wrong materials or wrong methods to achieve a certain goal you will be in for a surprise and more than likely it will not be good...  Thats why no one is too supportive of your idea and giving you other options...  They are just too nice to say that you are Trippin'...     Don't take my humor to heart...  I blew up my first few bows using the wrong materials...  We all been there...  Good Luck to you...

I don't take it to heart.  It's the internet.  It's not all that.

However, I do thank you for your advice.  I guess I gotta ask, if it won't work, then how do other guys make it work?  Some of the bigger names are able to make CF work just fine.  Real-deal woven stuff.  Not pretend vinyl.  I'm happy to figure out a way to put it under glass if necessary. 

[Shredd]

I sent you a PM...