Hi guys,

I am almost finished with my pattern and I have ordered materials for high temperature mould that will be used for pre preg. I cannot find some answers so I hope you can help me.

First thing is, since I still don't have oven and won't finish it in next 1 or 1 and a half month, can I make mould and post cure it when I finish oven, or I need to post cure it as soon as possible?

My plan was to brush approx. 1mm of gelcoat, brush some resin afterwards and add chopped carbon on sharp angles and reinforce everything with 12 layers of 200g black stuff twill. In total, mould should have thickness around 4-5mm for each part of mould. Is that enough? I am not comfortable using thicker fabrics due to complexity of pattern.

Also, is it maybe possible to "level" some curves with mix of high temp epoxy and milled carbon fiber and pour it as next layer after gelcoat and before fabric? That would greatly reduce amount of work needed for laying fabric reinforcements.

Polyester resin would be easier to sand than epoxy, but it also wont polish up nicely. It's a compromise, end of the day there's lots of stuff you CAN use... but the end result won't be as nice as if you had used the correct stuff.

For the 2k, yes, any 2k paint will be good. You dont want 'anti-scratch', these will be formulated to resist abrasion - sanding and polishing is a form of abrasion. But any regular 2 component automotive paint will be fine. 

Also wouldn't recommend applying it by brush. Anything that is formulated for spraying won't brush well, and that is especially true of polyurethanes as if they are applied too thick they will foam and trap a load of bubbles. 

You may have to use epoxy if you can't get anything else, but it won't be nice to refinish - especially if you have fine details and small grooves.