Hi, I have just painted my mould in GC50. I got it as smooth as I could with an Easy Composites disposable brush. Now it has set it looks like a ploughed field. I assume that these ridges will distort the carbon fabric and show in the finished product.
Should I try rubbing them down or fill them with GC50 thinned with acetone?
Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Brian.

OK, Answering my own post.
I rubbed it down as much as I dared as I didn't want to go through the Gel coat. It still looks as if it will distort the weave. (This is my first attempt of infusing over Gel coat so I am not sure what you can get away with.)
I was thinking of putting down another coat of GC50 with a sponge to see if it went on smoother but was worried I would be back where I started. I decided to paint it with Infusion resin to fill the groves and let it set before laying up. It is looking great. I will let you know how it works out.
On the bright side, I managed to get the GC50 to lay down over Easylease, coated with wax without fish eyes.

Before


after

Hi Brian S

Can you post spray, or does it have to be in mold before layup?

We always recommend spraying GC50 for infusion. Spray it into the mould at the same stage you brush applied it.

The problem as you rightly say is the lumps and bumps will distort the surface of the weave.  With spraying the much more even finish minimises that.

You can get away with brushing GC50 if you are doing wet lay because the resin fills the bumps and the carbon kind of stays flat floating above the bumps as there is no significant force pressing the carbon down into the mould.

Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant

This can only be sprayed properly. But make sure you take all the necessary safety precautions. Atomizing this stuff can be nasty. There is also a company that sells IMC (In Mould Coating) it is much more like a paint and can be sprayed easily with a regular paint gun and mask.

Thank you for the advice. I can't afford a Gelcoat spray gun at the moment.
It looks like I have recovered from it quite well.
I think it is not bad for a first attempt.

Brian.

Doesnt look too bad. Is it dull and needing a polish or is that just the light??

Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant

It must be the light. This is a picture of the other side. The patches are clouds.

Brian.

I have bonded the 2 halves of this together with PT326. I have cleaned up the seam but would like to improve it. Can you paint GC50 onto set GC50?

Brian.