Is it possible to create molds and parts without gelcoat?

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Is it possible to create molds and parts without gelcoat?

Is it possible to create molds and parts without gelcoat?

Author	Message
mbntng291	mbntng291 posted 11 Years Ago HOT Topic Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 3, Visits: 15	Hi Guys, I'm just starting with composites fabrication and i would just like to ask if molds and parts can be made without tooling gelcoat. Since i'm just a beginner, I don't want to be wasting materials such as gelcoat when I practice...and do parts made without gelcoat have the same quality as ones made with gelcoat? Thanks Edited 11 Years Ago by mbntng291
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Replies
Hanaldo	Hanaldo posted 11 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 2.5K, Visits: 28K	Nope, you can just use resin. Tooling gelcoat is just more durable, so don't expect your mould surfaces to last very long. Tooling gels are also quite thixotropic, so it can cling to vertical surfaces. If you're just using laminating resin then it will run off vertical faces and pool at the bottom. For one off, flat parts, you can get away without it. That said, personally I would at the very least use a filler like microballoons or fumed silica to thicken up your resin before using it as a gelcoat. You can also use just a regular polyester gelcoat, which is a bit cheaper and generally available in smaller quantities than a tooling gelcoat. Edited 11 Years Ago by Hanaldo
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Matthieu Libeert	Matthieu Libeert posted 11 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 955, Visits: 3.4K	I guess that you can answer your question yourself We wouldnt be using a gelcoat if we could get the same results without. Like said above It can be done but you will get bad results with dry spots, and pinholes if done without a gelcoat. To be honest you would waste more money not using a gelcoat, than doing it the good way with a gelcoat. Best of luck Matthieu Libeert Founder MAT2 Composites X Sports website: www.mat2composites.com
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