Need advice on how to flange this...

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Need advice on how to flange this...

Author	Message
macgtech	macgtech posted 11 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 20, Visits: 102	There's always ways to make the mould cheaper if it's just a one off. For custom parts that I make for customers that are unlikely to fit anyone elses car, I use a standard polyester gelcoat rather than a tooling gel. Cheap as chips, and is even strong enough to last 10 or so pulls. This is interesting - what do you do to ensure that it pulls freely if you use polyester - what do you do about a release agent? MacG Racing Ltd., UK based Motorsport Racing Team - follow us on Twitter and on Facebook
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wozza	wozza posted 11 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 688, Visits: 5.4K	macgtech (04/11/2014) There's always ways to make the mould cheaper if it's just a one off. For custom parts that I make for customers that are unlikely to fit anyone elses car, I use a standard polyester gelcoat rather than a tooling gel. Cheap as chips, and is even strong enough to last 10 or so pulls. This is interesting - what do you do to ensure that it pulls freely if you use polyester - what do you do about a release agent? I often do the same for one offs/prototypes. Either use PVA or an epoxy compatible in mould clear gelcoat like GC50, then you can use a semi perm as the epoxy isn't in contact with the poly gelcoat of the mould. Carbon Copies Ltd
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Hanaldo	Hanaldo posted 11 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 2.5K, Visits: 28K	I don't have any issues with using epoxy in polyester moulds. 8 coats of Frekote, nothing will stick to it.
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wozza	wozza posted 11 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 688, Visits: 5.4K	Hanaldo (04/11/2014) I don't have any issues with using epoxy in polyester moulds. 8 coats of Frekote, nothing will stick to it. A bit too risky for me having had a couple of stickers in the past. Often with prototyping time (or lack of) means the moulds are still new/green and still full of styrene. Carbon Copies Ltd
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Hanaldo	Hanaldo posted 11 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 2.5K, Visits: 28K	I have on a few occasions when getting a car ready for competition been forced to turn around a part from producing the plug/mould/carbon part in less than 48 hours. I've layed up the mould, demoulded a couple hours later, applied the release system and infused the part and demoulded that, all in one day. No post curing, all done with polyester tooling. No issues at all with sticking. Certainly not recommending people try that! Just saying I don't have any issues at all using polyester tooling with Frekote 700NC, green mould or not. Of course I would always recommend anyone does any testing with their own products first, I can't speak for all tooling systems.
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macgtech	macgtech posted 11 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 20, Visits: 102	Great, thanks for the replies. Spraying the polyester gelcoat with PVA was too obvious - not sure why I didn't think of it! Thanks again. MacG Racing Ltd., UK based Motorsport Racing Team - follow us on Twitter and on Facebook
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