Thank you all...

General Composites Discussions Showcase
#21

In one spot on the tail on a mount screw under the seat cracked (on the seam down the middle) but it was not just the gel coat I had to much material built up and didn’t sand it flat so it was not sitting flush with the mounting point (I added 2 layers at all the mount points). I know the fenders crack on bikes this one has rubber grommets around the mount holes with metal sleeves that take the torque of the screw.

For the most part the parts are very flexible, for some reason (I have no clue why) when I did the clear the parts tend to “loosen” up a but. I used PPG 2021 clear high $ but good stuff.

Did my 150mph test (at a Popper place) and no problems. R&D is a blast LOL.

#22

Finished it up, tank paint and turn signals

#23

Tank paint and turn signals finished.

#24

tank paint

#25

Turn signals are 6 LED’s 2 for running lights, 4 for the signals. Made a clay plug and made the mold. Wired up the LED’s and droped them in the mold with 2 screws for mounting, then filled it with Silmar 249.

#26

now doing some research…what is up with “sanding aid” for this Silmar stuff? Do I need it for a cast part? Also, would any other “casting resin” work as well? (UV protective of course)

#27

The sanding aid (wax) rises to the top to form a layer to block air from the resin so it can fully cure.

After the resin is rather solid I just spray a thick layer of PVA over the exposed area to seal it up.

The resin I used was the surf board layup resin, so I dont know about the casting resin, never used it.

#28

Ha, I was actually wondering about what the top of the part looks like, but the wax woould be on the bottom of the part anyway, who cares!!

Still…I’m confused. Isn’t PVA water-soluable? Wouldn’t that er…oh i’m just confused.

#29

Did you have any trouble with bubbles in the casting?

#30

riff,
the sanding aid “wax” I was refering to is added to the resin when you mix it up and as the resin set’s up the sanding aid works its way to the surface to form a layer, not the mold wax. I got some from US composites but I have not used it. They have some info on it.

snocutt,
no problem with bubbles. I just mixed the resin nice and slow to not get any bubbles in the resin when its in the mixing cup, and into the mold nice and slow also.

#31

Great work! I hope to also do something very similar to this one day for my RC51. Although I have yet to even hold a piece of CF or anything lese in my hand, I am still in the reading phase. Just trying to learn about everything I can.

How much experience do you have with working with composites?