I have a good idea of the process for making the mold for the hood. But I want a step by step list of how it’s done in the professional world of composites. From the type of gelcoat, resin, fiberglass , carbon fiber and finish clear coat buffing process and where to buy all the materials.
I know this is a tall request but I want to do it right and I want it to be quality and last.
Thanks for any input
In the professional CF world?
3D scan, making mould in CAD, milling mould from Aluminium, hardcoating the mould.
In the professional CF world?
3D scan, drawing master in CAD, milling the master from tooling table, carbon mould from it, prepreg part cured in autoclave.
Here is a link to a very helpful tutorial>
[ame=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgKvDw1E60E&feature=plcp”]How to Make a Carbon Fiber Car Bonnet/Hood - Part 1/3 - YouTube[/ame]
If you use epoxy and glass fabric you can avoid all the mess of sanding the mould surface.
Welcome to the board!
That is a lot of “Wants”, lol.
We all do it different to a certain degree due to our differing market segments and tooling requirements. There is more than likely many threads covering in detail all that you ask to glean. But a basic list will still be many minutes of writing. Search the forum … Learn as much as you can and begin to form deeper questions via trial and error,which is the most comprehensive way to learn outside of paying for a program class.
First thought… What have you developed previously ?
That always helps us grasp where you are skill set wise .
Here is a link to a very helpful tutorial>
I would have scream bloody murder if I had print-thru in the mold surface like that. Things would have been flying. 
If you use epoxy and glass fabric you can avoid all the mess of sanding the mould surface.
So true. When it comes to mold fabrication the extra expense is so worth it.
Thanks guys for the replys. As far as my experince.
I have made many small to medium size cf parts for race cars, mostly regarding custom guage placement solutions, and interior speaker pods for custom car market. I have produced my own pluggs and molds. I have done wet layup vacumm bagging and recently some vacumm infusion. I currently use polyester gelcoat and resin for my molds, and clear polyester resin for non infusion parts.
My concern in doing a large piece like a hood is I will need to infuse it with epoxy resin?
So can I make a normal polyester gelcoat mold and still use epoxy to infuse the part.
Can I spray a clear gel coat as a base in the mold before I infuse
How do I finish the part with some type of uv safe clear coat
That video above is what spared this thing on, I don’t want to deal with a overseas company and products. Can anyone give me a supply list like they did that’s what I really need. Thanks so much
With skill, patience, and a little bit of money you can make a professional mold and a professional part with out having to spend lots of money on 3D designing, CNC milling, and or prepreg carbon fiber.
There are plenty of videos out there and even more threads here on these forums to help you.
CAD work and aluminum molds are great but a waste of money if you are only going to make one or a few hoods. Anybody can make an equally good long lasting mold and an equally good part with out the use of prepreg and an aluminum mold.
Well not anybody. But anybody with the know how, patience, and talent.
I agree that I can spend multiple hours of my life searching this forum, and than trying to piece all the different bits of info together. But I could get a better answer if someone could guide me who does this for a living . Maybe just point me in the direction of the suppliers you guys use so I can call them. Thanks
Open your mind to what is here already.
There is a WEALTH of great detail contained herein on this forum.There are many very skilled and talented folks who have taken time out of their day to share this info.
The multiple hours of your life spent researching this forum is how it will best serve you and the pace in which you’ll learn to apply this knowledge.
Otherwise…enroll in the many composite classes available to you in Ohio. There are several.