Good afternoon

I've read all the topics in this forum but I'm still confused so I kindly ask an help.

I’m experimenting the production of a compression mould by using my 3D printer.
The part I want to manufacture is made by Carbon fiber and has 1.2mm thickness. I want to cure it at room temperature at the beginning and if everything is OK I will cure in a oven at 60°C in the future.

Here a picture of my 3D printed mould (made by ABS but I can choose different material  such as PLA, Polycarbonate, ASA and so on).
I have removed all the 3D printing layers and defects by using sand paper; here is how it looks like at the end of the sanding process:


I have applied 7 layers of releasant wax and polysh the mouls after the last one by using a clean cloth.
I have prepared a sandwich of carbon fiber and resin and put inside the compression mold and squeeze it by using 300Kg of weight; I cure it at room temperature.

Here the picture if my first carbon fiber trial part.
Please note that the right side has been painted because the CF part just out of the mould has a matte finish which I don't like at all (I want a gloss finish without any additional painting or polish treatment). I can see major defects which I think are due to a lack of material (my sandwich was too thin) and I'm not worry about it.



How can I get a gloss finish on my carbon fiber part just out of the mould ?
Is it true that the only way to get a gloss carbon fiber part is to have a gloss mould surface? If the answer is yes, can you explain me the reason ?

If I need to treat my 3D mould (ABS material) so it became gloss, which process and materials do I have to purchase?
I’ve read about filler and other stuff but I’m a little bit lost because normally a 3D printed mould is not commonly used.

Can I use S120 directly on the ABS (or PLA, Polycaronate, ect) mould or do I have to apply a primer first?
Or do I have to apply to the mould an epoxy resin first?
I'm a little bit lost and confused because all the info I found are not referred to compression mold and do not require a gloss finish carbon fiber part as I would like.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi Matteo

I have been using 3d printed parts as tools for many years now, and its very difficult to get any of the plastics to polish up nicely enough to a gloss finish.
Luckily there is a few things you can try especially with ABS, firstly you can use an acetone bath or mist to smooth out the ABS print. Have a search online for ABD acetone smoothing and that will help.

The other option is to use something like this material XTC-3D, which is essentially a self levelling lacquer which gives you a gloss finish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSKxycs3kPg

Or you can look at getting some tooltec, which is a self adhesive PTFE tape which you apply to the print and you can layup onto it without any other release coating. As the part you are making look is relatively simple the tooltec should conform ok to the geometry.

I look forward to seeing how you get on.