making flat panels

General Composites Discussions Composites Talk
#1

hi all, im trying to make flat door cards. Im using glass and just putting stuff called honey wax which is a mould release. Ive put about 7 layers of the stuff on and buffed dry like it said. I then applied my resin and allowed it to sit until it gets tacky then i set on my fabric and then add more resin with a brush carefully. i then add my peel ply and hold it down. I am following guides i found but when i went to inspect 2nite i could not get my flat panel released from the glass. Am i using the wrong stuff as its what the suppliers of the fabric etc gave me. i want to master flat stuff before trying other shapes and air boxes etc…many thanks all

G

:slight_smile:

#2

wax on glass should be just fine…get something under the carbon fiber maybe a razor blade or something? get a little air under the part and slowly pry it off…maybe invest in some plastic wedges?

pva never hurts either :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

#3

wats pva? saw ur projects i like it alot. also wat is gel coat when makin moulds?

thanks

#4

its basically a chemical that you use to create a super hard and super smooth surface so the finish on your parts is perfect or near perfect when you pop them out of the mold

hey if you get into vacuum bagging…i have bagging tape for sale…SUPER CHEAP!!! 3 rolls for $16.50 plus shipping…

#5

ahhhh gel coat 4super smooth mould makin? pva a release chemical? thanks bud

#6

im from uk so 2far for postage and no vac pump yet. is ther another name 4gel coat?

#7

there are quite a few types of “gelcoat” tooling, clear, white, other colors…etc…

not sure how much it would be to ship internationally :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: but $5.50 USD for 50 feet aint bad no matter where you are

#8

You dont need 7 coats of wax, but do need to be careful not to buff wax too hard, leaving little on the surface of your mould.

PVA is never that good an idea, as it will compromise surface finish, and will mean a lot more work to get everything smooth again.

Finally its a very good idea to learn the basics of hand laminating simple parts, using cheap GRP and polyester resin systems, before going on to anything more advanced.

#9

with a glass panel you will be best to use a semi, you will get a nice smooth finish, and you will not need to reapply for another 5-10 parts depending on the semi brand.

#10

Classicbike - “hand laminating simple parts, using cheap GRP and polyester resin systems, before going on to anything more advanced”

Would this be for making smooth moulds and smooth finish. How do i mould something, do i polish and wax the original item i am going to wax so the mould i make releases off it again? Then put my resin all over it with glass fibre bits into it? Then allow to dry and pull off?

#11

If you are thinking of composite parts using moulds, then its going to be a big help to learn the basics of hand layup.

If you get hold of some small plastic storage containers, then you can practice lay up technique using the container as a mould, and when you have the basics go on to make moulds of your own.

#12

ive made moulds before and worked for a long time with fibre glass etc. i can always get a good smooth finish, but im unsure how to seperate my new mould from the original piece when the mould is cured, for example on bonnets and plastic door cards.

#13

ps thanks for all the help lads, helps loads!
i checked this morning and took it easy getting this carbon off the glass and it worked nicely this time pulled away not too bad. 1 thing i must mind to do next time is leave a good inch all around the edge to leave room to price the piece out of the mould as the edges scored and cracked slightly.:slight_smile:

#14

Another Q about making flat panels … is there another material to use besides glass as an easy mold surface? I want to make a panel a little bigger, say 5ft x 3ft.

#15

A bigger piece of glass.