How to go about this. First time making a mold


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ants87ss
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First Id like to say Hello from The US. I have gained a bunch of knowledge from this forum as well as the EasyComposites YouTube videos. Thank You!

I am going to mold my first part, a trim panel off a Ford Mustang. As you see below, there is a few burrs around the holes where an emblem once mounted. My question is, do i sand the area around the holes smooth, leave the area dull, add clay and proceed with gel coat? Or do I just fill with clay, lay out gelcoat and sand the gelcoat smooth after cure? This panel is plastic, and I do not believe it is painted. I am concerned that I will not be able to buff the area if it is sanded. I was wondering what would be easier, sand the mold afterwards or just sand before. Thanks a ton in advance




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drippy
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Hanaldo - 7/1/2018 2:05:11 AM
I wouldn't sand it at all if its plastic. Just use a blade to deburr the hole and then fill with wax.

Just a side note - be aware that if you are using a polyester or vinyl ester gelcoat to make the mould, then these will very often attack uncoated plastics, ruining both your original and your mould! So I would advise doing a test in an unseen area, and if in any doubt about compatibility then using PVA release agent to protect it, and later refinishing your mould to a high standard. You may also want to support your original so that any heat from the mould curing won't cause the original to warp and leave you with a distorted mould and parts that don't fit.

What would you suggest using for support? I have a project pretty close to this and it is ABS plastic and very flimsy. I have seen people use tubing or wood to add support and also seen people adding a couple layers of fiberglass to the back of it to make it sturdy. Is that a good option or am I still gonna have warping due to adding fiberglass on the back?

GO

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ants87ss - 7 Years Ago
Hanaldo - 7 Years Ago
ants87ss - 7 Years Ago
drippy - 7 Years Ago
Hanaldo - 7 Years Ago
Hanaldo - 7 Years Ago
Fasta - 7 Years Ago
             That's not a bad idea at all
drippy - 7 Years Ago
Hanaldo - 7 Years Ago

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