Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Foam Pattern to a Gloss Finish

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic56.aspx

By Dave - 1/11/2012 10:11:26 PM

Hi guys,

I am currently in the process of creating some patterns using your High Density Polyurethane Foam. I am planning to take them to a high gloss finish that is reasonably rugged and will withstand several moulds being duplicated off it.

I will take them to a paint shop to have to 2k primer filler applied and get it to a gloss finish as i don't have good enough equipment for 2k paint. Is it possible for the paint shop to get the finish i want just using 2k filler primer?

Secondly how should i prepare the foam for them? Should i coat it in a thin layer of FG tissue and resin or will it be fine bringing it to them showing foam?

I'm just look to sort out any issues before i look around for a good body shop to do the work. As i will need it done relatively quickly once the foam is done.



Thanks,
Dave.
By Matt (Staff) - 2/29/2012 9:12:25 PM

Hi Dave,

My favourite resin to use as a pattern coat would be our Epoxy Coating Resin. It's actually the most straight forward of our epoxies but this is why it's so good for any 'coating' type application. The reason is that additives (such as wetting agents, accellerators etc.) can settle on the surface during curing and leave the finish slightly greasy or tacky. Our Epoxy Coating Resin doesn't do this at all, it leaves the surface completly hard and clear.

Just about any epoxy can be mixed with silica and bubbles to make a coating pattern coat but my choice (and it's cost effective too) would be our Coating Resin.

Matt