Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Removing dried epoxy from flanges

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic4806.aspx

By Philimon - 2/12/2013 4:40:30 PM

I'm new to this whole composites thing and have started pulling parts from my first mould. It was made using the EC gel coat and I sanded down to 1500 grit. As the finish isn't important I didn't go down the polishing route on the plug or the flanges.

I've created a few parts now.. I used the easylease chemical release agent 5 applications. . During layup and while curing under vacuum I get a thin film of epoxy curing on the flanges. I clean what I can using malt vinegar during layout but there is still some spread during vacuum. When releasing the part this dried epoxy  remains on the mould flanges and I have to remove it manually. It hasn't adhered completely to the mould in most places. But in a few no amount of co-ersion with a wooden part or steel blade will get it off. As a result I'm scratching the mould surface while cleaning this off and i'm reducing the life of my mould a lot. 

Any ideas or suggestions to prevent this?

Thanks in advance!
By FLD - 2/19/2013 8:17:48 PM

Great news!  Glad its worked for you.