Trying to mold my doors...:((((

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Trying to mold my doors...:((((

Author	Message
BlackNDecker	BlackNDecker posted 11 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 92, Visits: 251	Thanks for the help everyone. I agree that the uneven layers was likely responsible for the cracks and pull away, HOWEVER, I used 100% silicone caulk in all the small crevices between the glass and the weather stripping. I have read that silicone can contaminate gel coat?? The area of lifting is in the same areas as the silicone. I have ordered soft fillet wax for a future attempt. I am so tired of failing at this...I'm also doing this in my garage and I am at the mercy of the weather((((
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TomDesign	TomDesign posted 11 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 454, Visits: 2.5K	same here those places that not enough gelcoat get same thing like you got or wrinkles.
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Brian_s	Brian_s posted 11 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 99, Visits: 2.5K	You used a gallon for a door? Unless it was for a barn I would have thought that was rather a lot. Brian.
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Matthieu Libeert	Matthieu Libeert posted 11 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 955, Visits: 3.4K	As I would make a guess, you have some places that are thicker than other... when curing there will be an exothermal reaction. The more material you use the faster it wil cure, the more heat will be created, I think this formed some shrinkage causing it to be ripped apart in the thinner spots. your pictures are a bit difficicult to understand btw Matthieu Libeert Founder MAT2 Composites X Sports website: www.mat2composites.com
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BlackNDecker	BlackNDecker posted 11 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 92, Visits: 251	ajb100 (02/05/2014) What % MEKP did you use? I used 1.5% MEKP in 1 gallon of gel coat...so going by the spec sheet (1% = 1 oz MEKP per 1 gallon gel coat), I used 1.5 oz of MEKP since it was a pretty chilly day. The spec sheet says you can add up to 2.0% or more depending on the temp.
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ajb100	ajb100 posted 11 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 346, Visits: 4.4K	What % MEKP did you use? One picture looks like the flanking has moved causing the crack, but that may be down to too much MEKP. I does also look very thick in places
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BlackNDecker	BlackNDecker posted 11 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 92, Visits: 251	I don't understand why the pics aren't showing? I'm using photobucket and posting the IMG links just like I would on any other forum....??? Edited 11 Years Ago by BlackNDecker
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BlackNDecker	BlackNDecker posted 11 Years Ago HOT Topic Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 92, Visits: 251	Greetings all, I just discovered this website and it looks like a great resource for novices like myself. I've been trying to mold my doors but have run into repeated failures. I've posted this previously on compositescentral.com, but was hoping to get some feedback from you all. I cleaned my door and flanged it, then sprayed several coats of PVA (next time I will use mold release). I then applied gel coat with a roller and brush. The temps were low when I applied the gel coat (approx. 49* F but I mixed extra MEKP and have had success even when allowed to set at -10* F). Here is a pic of the door after the gel coat was laid down: So I when I checked on it this afternoon (approx. 16 hrs later) I noticed a new problem I've never seen before with gel coat...it pulled away cleanly from the plug in some areas. Would this be due to nonuniform thickness?? Edited 11 Years Ago by BlackNDecker
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