Good afternoon

I've read all the topics in this forum but I'm still confused so I kindly ask an help.

I’m experimenting the production of a compression mould by using my 3D printer.
The part I want to manufacture is made by Carbon fiber and has 1.2mm thickness. I want to cure it at room temperature at the beginning and if everything is OK I will cure in a oven at 60°C in the future.

Here a picture of my 3D printed mould (made by ABS but I can choose different material  such as PLA, Polycarbonate, ASA and so on).
I have removed all the 3D printing layers and defects by using sand paper; here is how it looks like at the end of the sanding process:


I have applied 7 layers of releasant wax and polysh the mouls after the last one by using a clean cloth.
I have prepared a sandwich of carbon fiber and resin and put inside the compression mold and squeeze it by using 300Kg of weight; I cure it at room temperature.

Here the picture if my first carbon fiber trial part.
Please note that the right side has been painted because the CF part just out of the mould has a matte finish which I don't like at all (I want a gloss finish without any additional painting or polish treatment). I can see major defects which I think are due to a lack of material (my sandwich was too thin) and I'm not worry about it.



How can I get a gloss finish on my carbon fiber part just out of the mould ?
Is it true that the only way to get a gloss carbon fiber part is to have a gloss mould surface? If the answer is yes, can you explain me the reason ?

If I need to treat my 3D mould (ABS material) so it became gloss, which process and materials do I have to purchase?
I’ve read about filler and other stuff but I’m a little bit lost because normally a 3D printed mould is not commonly used.

Can I use S120 directly on the ABS (or PLA, Polycaronate, ect) mould or do I have to apply a primer first?
Or do I have to apply to the mould an epoxy resin first?
I'm a little bit lost and confused because all the info I found are not referred to compression mold and do not require a gloss finish carbon fiber part as I would like.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Good afternoon

In the last month I've done several tests and I want to share with you my journey!
I have done several samples and I've used S120 and Marbocote HP1000N (same product of HP2002) sealers.

S120 Easy Composite
S120 cannot be applied directly to 3D printed mould because it doesn't stick to it.
I've coated the samples with XTC-3D resin and sand it with 1200 grit sandpaper and I've airbrushed the sample with S120. The result is a very good gloss finished surface. I didn't use this method on my mould because I don't have enough S120 for all my moulds but I think the result I would get will be OK for my purpose.

HP1000N (or HP2002) Marbocote
I have made a sample by spraying the HP1000N directly on ABS. I've sanded the sample before apply the product.
Here the result:



The gloss finish is OK but I was worried about the strenght: after one manufacturing test I have seen that the sample surface has the footprint of the carbon fiber.
So I've decided to use the same method I've used with S120: sand the sample, apply the XTC-3D resin, sand it and apply the HP1000N with an airbrush.
The way to apply the HP1000N is tricky: if you apply 3 or 4 thin coats and the last one very wet you don't get the same gloss finish if you apply only one wet coat.

Here a comparison picture of the 2 methods:



The mould on the bottom side is the one with 3 / 4 light coats + 1 wet coat; it's clearly matte compare to the other one.
The problem with the gloss finish mould is that the HP1000N starts to fade away  after 4 or 5 usage. So I think the quantity I've applied is not enough or it has not stick to the mould properly. 
Here the "damaged" mould:



I've tried to apply a second coat after a first wet one but the surface had some "hazy areas" so I've stopped to do that.
I'm not sure how I can proceed now: I'm tempted to use the mould to get a resin one like Hanaldo wrote but I would like to explore more these 3D moulds but it's not easy as it looks.
I'm printing a new PLA mould right now and I'm tempted to try to apply the HP1000N directly on it.
I'm afraid that it can be damaged immediately as I've seen on the ABS sample. I'm pressing the moulds with 200Kg and I'm not sure if I can reduce it.

I've just read about using 2K clear coat spray to seal the mould. Maybe if I brush my mould with some resin and then spray a 2K clear coat I can get a gloss and strong  finish. Hanaldo wrote that I can get a better gloss finish compare to the one I'm getting by using Marbocote HP1000N.

As usual your comments and advices are more than welcome!!

Cheers
Matteo