Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Pikey practices (ones that do and dont work)

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic11047.aspx

By FLD - 5/3/2014 11:45:49 PM

I (probably like most) have tried various things when I don't have the right gear.  I thought it might be good (if we can stand the humiliation) to post em up so everyone can see what works and what doesn't.  I'll start.

I've tried covering a plug in vinyl to give a good surface as I was too lazy to seal it and paint it properly.  I tried airelease vinyl that had several coats of wax on it and I got away with it.  Yay!  I tried a cheaper vinyl and it wrinkles like mad.  I tried the airelease with fewer wax coats and got a slight bubbling.  Worked once but probably not something I'll chance again.

I used 'antique pine' wax once when I'd run out of proper mould release.
By FLD - 6/9/2014 10:18:31 AM

kidpit (08/06/2014)
Being the cheat bastard that I am, I always reuse my (envelop) bag. Sealent tape on one end, reuseable snap lock on the other. Before I seal the bag, I drape a piece of the cheapy, 1mil plastic from Home Depot over bleeder and nothing sticks to the bag. Usually get 6-8 pieces from one bag.

Mark T.


I do that too.  I'm slightly more pikey though as I use gum tape on both ends and pull one end open and then use the same tape to seal it back up for the next moulding.  Works fine!  I dont even put plastic over the breather, I just shake the shards of cured resin out of the bag.