Hi there, 

I'm new to this so bear with me............

I have a brand new bonnet that I want to use as the template for making a carbon fibre one. The bonnet is in its black primer factory finish ready to be painted.

My question is what would be the best medium to coat it with now to be able to use is as a template. It will obviously need something that can be polished and then have the mould release agent applied to it. My reason for asking is so I know the best practice. 

I have time to let the product gas off, so I'm thinking along the lines of filler primer, sand back flat, then a 2k clear coat wet sand and polish?

I'll be going with a resin infusion part I think, so I'll make the mould from the Uni-mould system stuff.

Am I somewhere close?

Many thanks in advance, Byron.

If the bonnet is brand new and defect free, then just have it painted in a 2 pack paint and fully baked off.  That will drive out any traces of solvents which would normally cause issues.  You can then use the glossy painted part to produce the mould as per our video series which you can watch here: How to Make a Carbon Fibre Car Bonnet/Hood


Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant

Thats great, thanks for the reply.

The bonnet is new, and I think dent free but its been hanging around for a while there is the slightest of corrosion that has crept under the primer in one small area.

My main thought was that 2k paint or clear would be ok and not cause issues with the mould further down the line.

Thanks again

That is correct as the 2k paints once fully baked off and cured have virtually zero solvent content and hence are very unlikely to cause sticking issues when making the mould.


Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant

Then...... Easy-lease followed by some wax as release agent as per the pattern making video?

Yes that is the best combination for a reliable release when mould making.


Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant