I found a new material that is perfect for making flat panels. No need to seal or release it. Tacky tape sticks on well, but the part pops right off. Polypropylene! I have a table that has a 1/2" thick sheet bolted on top. Resin will pop right off. Might have to be careful with a perfectly flat blade scraper, but sometimes just rubbing with acetone cleans it off.
I’m sure the self-adhesive reinforced teflon would be good too, but I doubt you can put tacky tape on it!
Thanks for great tip 
Yes, I used to have HDPE sheets on the work tables at the classroom as any DRY resin just pops off…
I think this is true for most thermoplastics.
Not exactly 
PSU and PES will dissolve into the epoxy, Ionomers will bond like crazy. Just good non-stick plastics, like PP, PE and the floro’s like FEP/PTFE, etc.
trash bags are polypropylene too i think… most times resin doesn’t stick to plastic trash bags.
If your working with Polyester or Vinylester resin and do not want major fumes… trash bag your part until it has cured
I put mine in a box, then the box goes in a trash bag.
I wish those plastic sheets were not so costly … i priced some hdpe at $60 for 2ftx4ft 1/2 thick. I need some flat glass to lay up some panels myself.
PP is 50$ for that size.
Plastic panels can work ok, but the major issue is their lack of stiffness and surface finish is hard to get perfect. Once scratched, nothing to do.
I prefer glass, steel, or aluminum plates for making flat panels. Melamine board can also be used if one needs a relatively smooth and flat surface without grade “A” finish.
Good morning all, first post.
I have two polyethylene tables, one 7’ x 8’ and the other 4’ x16’ that I’ve been using for years to produce panels. The way I work I don’t require that the surface be perfect and in fact I’m willing to do some razor knife trimming while the laminate is still on the table. The plastic is cheap enough and the labor saved justifies turning the plastic over at midlife and replacing every few years.
I will often do my layout on the table with a sharpie pen, laminate the product not wetting out the fabric outside of my layout lines, trim the product while green with a razor knife, and pop the product off when cured. Layout lines become transferred to the product and the table is easily cleaned with acetone and, or a scraper.
There is potential for a problem with a high cure temperature as the thermal expansion of the plastic is quite high.
Welcome to the forum and thank you for sharing!
I think I am going to buy a steel or aluminum plate 2ft x 4ft for flat panels.
Where do you guys buy plates of these materials?
What alum or steel…metal warehouses.
Plastics OCIP in Anaheim or Paragon in Santa Ana…
McMaster-Carr
mcmaster.com
we get any part they day after we order (prob as long as it is placed in the morning…)