I am curious to know if anyone has used a “thick” epoxy coat to first coat the mold with, allowing it to partially cure. Then coming back with carbon fiber cloth and laying that into the mold?
I’m trying to figure out a product to use other than clear gel coat. As far as products go I was thinkingof using KlearKote brand epoxy. I just didn’t want to waste money and time if it won’t work.
Why are you against gelcoats or clear topcoats? Just spray it on and get great results. No need to make things more complicated than they have to be.
As for Klear Kote, it’s meant for top coating. Best on flat horizontal surfaces, as it will run on vertical areas.
IMO Just use gel coat. Or put fabric against mold and use some urethane clear after.
I’ve brushed on a layer of resin prior to layup, and then using alternative heating/cooling cycles with a heat gun, continued to brush it over the mold (it doesn’t stick well due to release coatings) until it becomes tacky enough to “hair” when I pull the brush away.
From there, I’ve pressed the first layer firmly into the resin, then done a typical wet layup on top of that. Results ranged from inconsistent initially (too thick in some places) and later on I was able to get a consistent thickness and good results, with no over-resined areas.
Incidentally, the worst result I got was the initial coat of epoxy somehow managing to bond to the mold and when I finally got it released, it took half the mold with it.
I’m not so much against them, as they do work great. Problem i’m trying to avoid is the strong per odor or strong urethane clear odor. As I am not doing this in a commercially zoned neighborhood, and want minimal odor.
i did find a company that makes gel coat with 50% less styrene. Their chemists formulated it differently so it’s still durable, etc.
Got some of that UScomposites Kleer Koat that I was intending to use pretty much like you said.
I wanted to keep my projects pure epoxy for strength & low oder & avoid compatibility issues with other products.
Ill let you know in a week or 2 after im done.