I had two questions about mold preparation. When waxing a mold do you wax the flanges as well? I’ve read that you are supposed to but when I tried it the tacky tape didn’t stick as well as I’d hoped.
Secondly when spraying a gelcoat or PVA how do you keep the flange clean? Careful spraying or something else as well?
Thanks in advance
Masking tape is the answer then put the tacky tape as close to the inside edge as possable once you remove the masking tape, some people that I know like to put the tacky tape on first then masking tape over the top to protect the tacky tape.
Always wax the flanges, if its a split mould and your vacing some resin will always go between the flange faces and its a pig if they were to stick, tho you can usually get them apart clean up is a pain.
DO NOT apply mold release to the vacuum bagging surface.
Clean the tool edges, and cover with flashbreaker tape. Then proceed to clean the tool surface and apply release agent.
Remove flashbreaker only when ready to bag the part.
So what I’m seeing from you both is to cover the the flanges carefully before applying release agents and gelcoats. Just to be twice as sure, tacky tape will stick to a waxed flange?
Bagging tape doesn’t stick well to a waxed surface.
Hm so with PVA and wax as my primary release agents how can I ensure a good seal but also that epoxy won’t stick to the mold? Should I lay down the tacky tape, protect it, and then wax/PVA? I apologize if these questions seem dumb. I’ve done at least 60 layups but they were all flat plates, first with aluminum and later with HDPE. This is my first attempt to make a “fun” part, a skimboard. As you can see there are some areas where I’m inexperienced.
Again thanks for the help
I use masking tape to mask off where my tape is going before releasing. Then lay up the part and remove the tape right before bagging. However if the part is going to be close to the tape line, I put down the tacky before the fibre, that way there is no risk of stray fibres getting all up in my tacky tape line.
Moke, is doing exactly what I do, I think he explained it a little more clearly tho.
Is this for infusion or a wet lay and then vac bag?
If it is a wet-lay/vac bag job if small in size you may find it easier to make an envelope bag and put the whole mould inside it.
This is for infusion which is why I’m especially concerned with the tacky tape sticking. There’s nothing more annoying to have to end a layup because of a leak :mad:
Thats why I wont stick the bag tape to anything but a clean surface. The masking tape trick is what I use also.
Usually when the mold is new I wax all 5 - 6 times and in the area of tubes around just only 2 times. Before I start put the tape I “wash” the mold in the area of tape with acetone. After 2-3 vacuum infusion then I put again 1 time and so on. If I am not put wax in this area then I will defently have problems with the resin.