Is clear coating required on interior infused items?

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Is clear coating required on interior infused items?

Is clear coating required on interior infused items?

Author	Message
Trevor Harris	Trevor Harris posted 8 Years Ago HOT Topic Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 22, Visits: 116	Hello, After reading Fred Gaynor’s post on clear coating CF parts and his battle with siliconecontamination on 5/5/17 it seems that making good CF items is only half thebattle! Is there any need to clear coat small components made by theinfusion process if they are coming out pit free and will be used inside a home such as shelving bracketsor seating . UV I think cannot pass through glass windows. I know that someinterior lighting such as fluorescent tubes give of UV so will items inside thehome still discolour in time? For a hobbyist producing small items for inside use to thenpurchase a spray gun outfit as well seems a big outlay. If a coating isrequired to finish an infused component is it permissible on this forum to name‘rattle can’ brands that members have had good results? Is it possible to dipsmall items in lieu of spraying and if so in what would forum members recommend? Trevor
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Hanaldo	Hanaldo posted 8 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 2.5K, Visits: 28K	UV can certainly pass through glass windows. Simple answer is that your parts will still yellow over time, but it will take much much longer than if it were out in direct sunlight, so you're probably talking about 10-15 years. Also whether you would notice slight yellowing over the black carbon is debate-able as well.
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Dravis	Dravis posted 8 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 592, Visits: 1.9K	If the objects you are making are being used on a daily basis (Shelving, or seating, furniture) I would certainly either use an in mould coating (like GC50 or other gelcoat) or use XCR coating resin .. Alternatively get the parts clear coated by a paint shop, even if it seems a bit expensive .. The Reason is this: When Resin-infusing parts, the CF cloth itself is directly in contact with the mould surface, and on the surface or VERY close to it on the finished product. This means NO surface protection of the CF itself (or at the best very little) against wear .. IMHO you NEED some sort of coating-- With a little work (wet sanding and polishing) you can use XCR coating and make absolutely stunning protective surface finishes, from flat matte, to mirror polish -- "Sapere Aude"... Dare to KNOW! The written word is the only truly efficient vehicle for transmitting a complex concept from mind to mind... 103% of all people do not understand statistics... Do not adjust our mind, theres a fault in reality :-) Edited 8 Years Ago by Dravis
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Trevor Harris	Trevor Harris posted 8 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 22, Visits: 116	Hello Hanaldo and Dravis, Thank you both for your quick response to my query. Dravis, thank you for highlighting a couple of products that can be applied by brush available from Easy Composites. Thinking about coatings, its rare to find any household item wood or metal that does not have some form of protection, plating, paint or oil for protection. So it is definitely coatings for my CF items for longevity! Trevor
	Reply Like 2
Matthieu Libeert	Matthieu Libeert posted 8 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 955, Visits: 3.4K	IMO depends on how much the parts are "worth" to you. I have some Infused carbon fiber parts with only Easycomposites used materials (CF and IN2 resin) with no sign of UV-change without a clearcoat (indoor pieces) after 2 year. So depends on how much time/budget/effort you are willing to put into your pieces to make them 99% UV stable If you have some budget I would just let them get clearcoated by a professional painter using a 2K clear... can cost a bit but saves you some money on the long run not having to coat/sand/buff ... unless you like to sand and polish, or if you want to learn some more stuff doing it that way Matthieu Libeert Founder MAT2 Composites X Sports website: www.mat2composites.com
	Reply Like 3
Trevor Harris	Trevor Harris posted 8 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 22, Visits: 116	Hi Mattieu, Thank you for sharing your experiences with uncoated carbon Fibre. Trevor
	Reply Like 3
Dravis	Dravis posted 8 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 592, Visits: 1.9K	Actually, I'm not at all worried about the UV stability .. my concern is the wear and tear on Carbon surfaces .. I have kept a few Carbon parts as decoration in my living room for several years now, and they do show very slight yellowing, but thats all .. They are made with EC IN2 and EC EL2 laminating resin. "Sapere Aude"... Dare to KNOW! The written word is the only truly efficient vehicle for transmitting a complex concept from mind to mind... 103% of all people do not understand statistics... Do not adjust our mind, theres a fault in reality :-)
	Reply Like 2