I've noticed on a few test pieces i have created that the face touching the mould / surface is lovely smooth, flat, perfectly cured, however the face open to the air is still tacky especially when in contact with sweat from hands / slight dampness in any way.

I'm quite confident i've got the ratios correct, i've used two separate scales, the second more accurate than the first, and mixed thoroughly - i mix in a mixing pot with a wooden spatula for 3+ mins or so, yet it still comes out this tacky / cracked looking way. 

I have tried post-curing the piece in an oven, however this hasnt got rid of the tackiness and has exacerbated the "cracked" look. See attached picture for the piece from the oven, however i assure this is how my other pieces have looked also, just less-so.

Could anyone give me some advice on where i'm going wrong ? I've done enough playing and want to start seriously making some working prototypes but i cant seem to work out what the problem is here. In the attached photo i was hoping for that nice, shiney, stereotypical carbon fibre look but uhh....not so...  

Thanks, J.

Let us know how you get on.


Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant