VIP putting it all together

General Composites Discussions Composites Talk
#1

I’ve been a member here for like 2 years now and starting to really expand my work.
I just want to make sure i got this right, as i’m very new to this and have done just wet lay ups. I’ve been using the search function and researching how to put together a system, various products and processes for a good while now.

when putting it together it should go like this, top to bottom?

Bag
flow medium
peelply
carbon
gel coat
mold release wax
mold
bag

also I’ve seen a couple of videos and such where on the resin inlet tube people are just using lock pliers to pinch the tube, is there a valve or something of that nature i could use instead to be more reliable?

I’ll be making CF doors, wing endplates, dashboard ect for a couple of racecars and the plan was to be using red flow medium, plain or 2x2 twill CF endplates/doors would be using a heavier than 5.7oz, i was thinking something like 12oz carbon cloth, where as teh dash would only need 5.7oz fabric.

my other concern is what resin to use cause these have to be pretty hard and structural but need UV protection.

#2

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog_name=USPlastic&category_name=2659&product_id=2626 these hose clamps work awesome, much better then using a clamp. also you will probally find better results using the red flow medium than the green in my opinion

#3

yea, i’m planning to use red flow medium

not sure on type of peel ply though?
and is my order correct?

#4

I would recommend a green peelply that has a release on it, helps remove mesh easily, but more expensive then natural peelply which work but sucks to remove the infusion mesh.
your stack looks good, do you have flanges on your mold?

#5

ive read it a few times now in various threads…But i dont understand why you guys use a gelcoat when using carbon…Dont you want to see the weave through the resin?

Im thinking gelcoat is that coloured epoxy that you want as the smooth surface on a mold and the outside of fiberglass parts to make them smooth etc…But why use gelcoat on carbon parts?

I always thought you just brush on a layer of epoxy (on the mold surface), let that get tacky and then start your layup then bag it. That way you can still see the weave in the finished product.

Do you guys refer to this first layer of epoxy as the “gelcoat” of the part? im totally confused.

Thanks in advance for any help

#6

Clear gelcoat.
Preferably with UV protectant in it. It is sprayed on, let cure to a tack stage (B stage), and then then the fabric/resin goes on.

As for the layup, you are correct. You can always use a semi-perm release agent instead of wax of course. Also, if you have a flange enough to seal the bagging, do that. Then you use less bagging than an envelope bag. (which I would guess you mean by having the bag THEN mold listed in your list)

#7

I haven’t made a mold of the door or anything yet, as I just got assigned to the job for the shop.

I was planning on making a fiberglass mold from the door/dashboard using a few layers to get a good stiff mold, then making the pieces. I didn’t think about doing an excess flange around to reduce the bag usage. Thanks!

#8

You can never have too much flange!! Obviously make it nice and smooth.

good luck!

#9

thanks i’ll be posting my work soon as i start :slight_smile: