Sealing leaks on infusions

General Composites Discussions Composites Talk
#1

Me and Fz1 were talking and thought it would be a good idea to discuss how we all tackle the tiny leaks on infusions.

My first few attempts were totaly botched and I probably wasted about 10 bucks in yellow tack tape. I was so bummed out. Ive created leaks by not making a “pillow” on the ends of my feed and vac lines and Ive had tiny leaks from the sealing edges.

Honestly Im doing pretty good now. I may lose about 2psi of vacuum in about 7 minutes if I lose any.

My trick was to use a socket and roll it long the tape with the bag in place to help smash it all down and hopefully conform to the mold better.

Id love to hear how the rest of you infusers are doing it.

#2

You might want to try an art store to find a 1" wide roller to do that or maybe a wire screen mesh roller? Just don’t slip with the later as it is only 1/16" wide roller.

Check on www.bondlineproducts.com for their snap and seal edging, if you are doing many parts from the same mold it will save time and money in no time at all!

I’m going to buy some during the summer and experiment with it more for the classroom (on my own nickel no less…).

While typing on here about Bondline, if anyone knows of Crosby, he had a major stroke last Dec. and isn’t doing too well…:frowning:

#3

I used a roll of scotch tape to roll on the bag to push it in on the tacky tape same thing :). Hybrid has seen pics of my molds LOL. I was having problems with the mold itself leaking a bit. I put one under a vac and put talc mixed with resin on the back side of it and I could see where the talc dried up= leak. after the talc and resin mix dried it was ok.

I know how to fix mine. make a better mold LOL.

another point, on a 2 or 3 ect. part mold how do you seal where it bolts together, I’m working on my first 2 part bolt together mold and I plan to PVA and gel coat with the mold in pieces, assemble the mold with the gel coat wet so the gel coat seals the flange.

up side I think of that, would be the part line would just be clear gel coat that could be sanded flat.

down side the PVA fails on the flange and the mold stuck.

what do you think?

#4

fz1 it appears we think alike, i have just finished a three part dash mold for infusion and came up with the same idea as you for sealing the flange. In this pic the larger section has been sealed as you sugested, fingers crossed it works, i will infuse the part in two sections then bolt the third smaller section to the larger two part section and join with carbon tape and epoxy.A picture of the plug the join is along the line of the light on the plug (carbon ecu cover i have already finished in place to check fitment)

#5

fz1 it appears we think alike, i have just finished a three part dash mold for infusion and came up with the same idea as you for sealing the flange. In this pic the larger section has been sealed as you sugested, fingers crossed it works, i will infuse the part in two sections then bolt the third smaller section to the larger two part section and join with carbon tape and epoxy.A picture of the plug the join is along the line of the light on the plug (carbon ecu cover i have already finished in place to check fitment)

#6

In my infusion question post a few days ago I asked about the same technique. So that makes 3 of us.

#7

Holy christ! You did that mold for that dash?

I have no desire to do that, looks like it fits a truck though. How much work do you have in that thing?

#8

Only problem I see is the gauges are on the wrong side of the car!:eek:

#9

man, that mold is nice.

#10

lol, Thats because i`m on the other side of the pond werksberg

#11

hybrid, the dash is for a car and yep a lot of work 2 failed attempts at this mold (the early days) The reason i got into carbon was a desire to make this dash. Well 30 months on and a lot of successful less complicated parts later i`m now ready to attempt it. Work permitting i should start to get it ready for infusing. I dont expect the first one to be correct but you never know.

#12

hell its more than I want to try, Im busy enough as it is!

#13

All I can say is good luck you will have a hell of a time infusing that thing.