Fair point but unless you intend making multiple items, making a mould is a lot of work and money. For some people who just want the carbon look then wrapping is easier and cheaper.

There's always ways to make the mould cheaper if it's just a one off. For custom parts that I make for customers that are unlikely to fit anyone elses car, I use a standard polyester gelcoat rather than a tooling gel. Cheap as chips, and is even strong enough to last 10 or so pulls. If I wanted to go even cheaper, I'd just fill some polyester laminating resin with microballoons or similar until it's thick enough, then use that as the gelcoat. Won't polish up as nicely, but can always clear the final part. A mould like that on a part this size wouldn't cost you more than 5 bucks in materials. Time sure, but you get out what you put into it.

This is interesting - what do you do to ensure that it pulls freely if you use polyester - what do you do about a release agent?

I often do the same for one offs/prototypes. Either use PVA or an epoxy compatible in mould clear gelcoat like GC50, then you can use a semi perm as the epoxy isn't in contact with the poly gelcoat of the mould.

Carbon Copies Ltd