Here it is boys, something I like to think as the last step in getting a perfect part!

After stepping into the clearcoating/painting business I can tell you, with or without a paint both it is a total PITA. I cant stand clear coating a part after de moulding, then the clearcoat gets wavy or a bug in it. then i san and polish, still not perfect.

I'm starting to learn this real fast; the key to a perfect part, is taking a mould from a perfect part and polishing it there. I plan to make some really perfect molds, then try this.

 



 

The site says you can brush it on, we for my size parts that would be really connivent. Now matter what the surface of the part will be perfect but if your paint strokes on the back are to thick you may see your weave get a little wobbly.

When making parts smaller than ".5 meter" I think my cup gun is a bit much? think an air brush system would work?

 



If Brute Force Isn''''t working your not using enough...

Carbon Tuner..... I think the 0.8mm nozzle  on your gun maybe a little small for spraying a gelcoat, Could you not get a larger nozzle? say a 1.4mm? I know they are available my Devillbiss SRI has this size nozzle.

A typical nozzle size for gelcoat is around 4-6mm so anything that's a fraction of a mm will be a struggle. As for thinning the gelcoat out, acetone is a no-no as this will certainly damage the gelcoat. Styrene monomer would thin the gel without damaging it but really from a health-and-safety point of view, cranking up the styrene and then atomising it through a gun is a pretty scary idea. I'm not a health and safety nut but I would personally not fancy this without a full air-fed mask.

Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales

You can add styrene up to about 7 % of the resin/gel but you'll find that at that ratio it might start to affect the resin/gel (causing it to become more brittle when cured) so try to add as little as you can get away with.

Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales