hey all! im reasonably new to all of this. Ive done a few parts here and there but sought of just made it up as i was going.
Im looking to start making molds of plugs (motorcycle parts etc) and then making carbon fiber copies.
Ive got a “test” mold curing now, ive just laid up gelcoat and CSM etc too see if it all works (using poly resin).
Questions:
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when making molds from plugs, can i get away with just using a wax release (rub on type), im talking 6 coats or more. From what ive read and have been told at the fiberglass shop - I SHOULD be ok and able to get my plug back out of the mold. My wax isnt compatible with PVA so id have to buy another wax to use PVA aswell. I only want to use wax so my molds are super smooth like the plug im copying, ive noticed that pva can make hi/low spots etc if not applied right.
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once im ready to law up carbon in the mold, can i get away with just wax again?
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after waxing the mold, i understand that you put down a layer of resin and let it get tacky before laying in first layer of carbon…Now ive read that some people put just use their epoxy resin for this first coat and then some people are using a clear UV resistant gelcoat for this layer and then using epoxy there after.
Which way to go? why clear gelcoat? why not just epoxy? -
there is a guide i was reading online, the guy didnt put down a first layer of epoxy or anything, just threw the carbon in the mold (obviously after release agents) and wet it out. He vacuum bagged it and still got a nice finish. I was always under the impression that if you fail to put a first coat down and let it setup a little - the vacuum will suck the surface resin away and you’ll get a crappy finish. Is this true?
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if my resin isnt UV resistant like people are talking about - what does that mean for my part? does sunlight degrade the resin and kill it?
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if i use a UV resistant gelcoat (clear) first, can i use epoxy resin for the rest of the layup? if their both an epoxy they would be compatible right?
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my resins documentation HERE (ES180 resin) says something about not exceeding 1/2 atmosphere pressure (50kpa) when vacuum bagging. the guides ive read online just say to suck it hard (full vacuum). If i go full vac, will it ruin my part? Can you give a part too much vacuum? I dont want to have to buy a vacuum regulator.
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im planing on making a few motorcycle fairing parts, how many ply can i get away with. I was hoping i could make it with just 2 layers of carbon. Fairing isnt really a structual part, its just for aero dynamics and something to hold the stickers on (this is a race bike im talking about). So i was hoping i could do it with 2 layers and then just extra carbon around mount points (just little squares to build strength). will it crack if i flex it a little?
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theres no problem using a brush for everything is there? such as applying gel coat. I dont have a cup gun, or any gun for that matter so ive been using brushing gelcoat. is that ok for large parts still? is it critical that the gelcoat is even thickness throughout the mold? ive only done it once (results still pending - its curing now) but i brushed gelcoat on, waited till it got tacky -left an impression in it with my brush but didnt get any gelcoat on the brush. Then i put on another layer, let that tack up then begun layup. Is this process ok? i’d prefer not to spray as ive only got a small work area (outside) and spraying would cause all soughts of problems for me.
Thanks in advance for any advice/help!