+x

 

John Hansen - 2/26/2019 4:04:41 PM

+x

 

quinn - 2/25/2019 5:22:55 PM

Is it possible to get a nice consistent matte on a mold surface with abrasives? Maybe sand to 3000 or 4000? Steel wool? Any other options? Also if doing this, will mold be more sensitive to sticking prepreg parts (using frekote). 
Second question, what about prepreg matte carbon fiber sheets? Would normally use plates of glass. I've seen glass with a matte looking finish, but can't find it when searching for matte glass. Not sure what it would be called, or if there's a different material that should be used. 

I like your question Quinn. I am with you on this. Everyone seems to be after a "perfect" finish. I never see anyone writing about how to achieve a finish at the other end of the spectrum from High Gloss. I wonder what finish would be achieved if you put release film down on the glass first? Then, after removing the part from the glass, pull the release film off and see what the finish looks like.

+x

 

quinn - 2/26/2019 5:18:43 PM

+x

 

John Hansen - 2/26/2019 4:04:41 PM

+x

 

quinn - 2/25/2019 5:22:55 PM

Is it possible to get a nice consistent matte on a mold surface with abrasives? Maybe sand to 3000 or 4000? Steel wool? Any other options? Also if doing this, will mold be more sensitive to sticking prepreg parts (using frekote). 
Second question, what about prepreg matte carbon fiber sheets? Would normally use plates of glass. I've seen glass with a matte looking finish, but can't find it when searching for matte glass. Not sure what it would be called, or if there's a different material that should be used. 

I like your question Quinn. I am with you on this. Everyone seems to be after a "perfect" finish. I never see anyone writing about how to achieve a finish at the other end of the spectrum from High Gloss. I wonder what finish would be achieved if you put release film down on the glass first? Then, after removing the part from the glass, pull the release film off and see what the finish looks like.

That might be worth a try, just have to be careful that no wrinkles get into the release film. But yeah, there's a lot of advantages to a matte finish. I do parts for rc helicopters and also cut prototype parts out of cf plate for a company. They prefer matte plate, it seems to be getting more popular. Gloss cf is nice and all, but as soon as you touch it, there's finger prints. Also any tiny defect shows up. Matte just seems to be easier to keep looking nice. I want to start laying up my own prepreg plates to save a bit of money so need to find a way to get a matte surface on my lay up plates. Also considering going matte on my helicopter canopy and tail boom so would need to take those existing molds and try to rough them up or something. I bought a 3000 and 5000 grit sponge to experiment with. Even the 5000 seems to take the gloss off pretty quickly so I'll try that and see if I can get any kind of consistent look.