Removing composite part from non-waxed Glass?

General Composites Discussions Composites Talk
#1

Hi guys! I’m new and I’e been spending a few days reading alot of stuff on here but still confused on a few things.

Me and my buddy got some carbon fiber materials from Tap Plastics and the dude there told us if we wanted to make a nice sheet of carbon fiber to do it on a piece of glass.

So, we mixed the resin and coated a large mirror with it, let it get tacky for about an hour and layed the carbon fiber on it. It soaked up nicely. We then reinforced it with more resin and fiberglass type material that was recommended to us.

We let it sit for 24 hours and it STUCK to the mirror. We couldn’t get it off without prying it off and heating the bottom of the mirror with a butane torch.

From what I’ve been reading we SHOULD have used a wax release type of agent on the mirror first?? We didn’t do that because it wasn’t recommended to us.

We’re really trying to get into this stuff and I’d like to make some pieces for my 240SX interior…

If anyone can give some pointers on what kind of product we should use to remove it from glass that would be nice! The piece I want to make for my interior is the cover that goes oround the shifter area and around the radio sections. Is this something I should make a mold for? I want it to be a quality professional looking piece when I’m done.

Great site btw!!

#2

Yea wax is your best friend…
Check out
Evan has all the stuff you will need.

Sorry, but Evan is no longer selling supplies but working at an aerospace company!

#3

I guess they forgot to tell you one of the most important part of making the panel. You’ll always need some type of mold release to prevent your part from sticking to your mold. Glass is real tricky to work with even though it’s smooth. Wax works ok. I used 3-4 coats of the semi-permanent mold release on my big piece of glass so now nothing sticks to it.

#4

Thanks for the replys. Totally makes sense now. Dur.

Evan, after you coated your mirror with this stuff do you do anything else to it? How easily does it come off? Like peel it off with your hand or tip the mirror and let it slide onto the floor? lol.
:slight_smile:

#5

So basically what I’m looking at is something like the blue wax mold release stuff right? Just making sure so I can buy some from that site in your sig.

#6

The wax works ok but you’ll need quite a few coats of it to make sure that it releases easily. I actually don’t use it on my glass, just the semi permanent. I basically grab a corner of the panel and pop it off with very little effort. It doesn’t exactly fly off by itself although I did have parts sliding off of the molds before I want it to.

#7

Hi.
You can use separator Poli vinyl Alkochol Ratio 70\30 with clear water.
In Poland is cheap but is good.
For 1 l we pay 8 Usd.

Or You can use Hot water 60 'c - 10 - 15 minutes.
Put plate to hot wahter,or you can spin water for get good temperature.

If you cant remove plate, try periodically,between cycle try remove plate.

:).
I know that problems.
If you have litle wax on glass you can have problem type,smithereens resin stay on glas,and you have holes on new plate.
When we make good job, we use glass with minimum thickness 6 - 7 mm.
Use safty gloves,when you wipe wax.

#8

Rain-X on glass = no stick

#9

Clean the glass super good, apply mold release wax 4 or 5 times buffing inbetween coats. Don’t buff too hard or you won’t have enough wax remaining on the glass. Just buff lightly until the wax turns clear.

I use Meguiars Mold Release Wax or Partall paste wax. Partall releases good, it’s just a pain to buff.

#10

yeah just a couple of #8 meguiars mold release wax. you apply it with a foam or cloth, let it dry for around 5 minutes, buff it up, do that again 5-6 times, LET IT DRY for a couple of hours at least (this makes a big difference)and then you’re on.