I've been skinning quite a few parts with the XCR process and working out various issues along the way.

I have built a post-cure oven (insulated MDF enclosure) - however, I inadvertently left a part under a halogen lamp on my worktop (I use the lamp for inspection and some localized heat for lay-up) and noticed that after maybe 20-30 mins the epoxy had 'sunk' into the carbon and given me a degree of print through.

Now - initially a bit of a mistake, however it got me thinking.

When skinning components where mechanical properties are not as vital as the final finish and ensuring print-through doesn't happen in service (car interior trims), could I use this high heat - short term technique to vastly reduce my post-cure times - and thus part turnover time?

Is this something worth looking into further, or am I committing a cardinal sin by not running through a full 16 hour post cure process? (as above - this is skinning so mechanical properties are irrelevant in comparison to ensuring print through issues don't arise when the parts are sat in a hot car on a summer's day)

The problem is the cosmetic finish will suffer from the sinking. However if the resin was thick enough to sand that out then the cosmetic issue wouldn't be a problem.  The mechanical properties may suffer slightly as will HDT from the rapid curing but for most automotive applications you aren't always pushing the limits anyway,

Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant