This is probably a silly question, but to use the unimould system on a epoxy coating resin finished plug, do I need to use a release agent before putting down the first tooling coat?

Thanks,
James

Yes. and on a new mould/plug use plenty.

Carbon Copies Ltd

Would you recommend I be using PVA or easy-lease? (this is the first time the pattern will be used)

I am an Easy Lease convert ha ha. It is brilliant stuff, that's all I use these days. It is quick and easy to apply and I have never had a difficult de-mould since.

Hi James,

Not much to add really, I'd offer the same advice as Warren. You would need release agent on the epoxy coating resin covered pattern; several coats on a new mould, just as he's said. It will be a pretty reliable release though (polyester and vinylester really don't like sticking to epoxy).

All the best, Matt

Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales

Many thanks, will get an order in today!

James

I am getting ready to make some molds.....I have the plugs all done except for wwet sanding and polishing. I understand I should use 4-5 coats of easylease. My question is ... Should I also wax the plug? If I should what order should the plug be waxed and easyleased?  I guess the same question should be asked about making the actual C/F parts from the molds.

Thanks,   Dennis

Hi Dennis,

The finish is 2k primer over body filler. So it "should" have a good bond. I did find out what happens when you don't have a good bond between the underlying materials. I had the plug finished and pulled a fiberglass part from the plug to use so I could fit and trim it to the car. I figure when the final C/F part is made it should fit inside the fiberglass part and I can transfer how it is cut to fit so I don't wreck the C/F piece. 

When I prepped the plug I used wax then I used easylease on the part....guess that was wrong. I was thinking this was the correct order because if you use PVA you wax first then put the PVA on. I was thinking the Easylease just replaced the PVA. The part did release fairly easy but the underling materials peeled. I had to peel it off completly and start the finishing again. I think I would have been ok if I would have made the mold from the plug instead of a fiberglass part. even though it would have peeled and wrecked the plug I don't care about the plug once the mold is made.

Dennis

Hi Dennis,

Mmmm, yes, the sequence if you use Easy-Lease and wax together is very importantly  Easy-Lease first, wax second. If you do it the other way round the Easy-Lease will effectively remove the wax but at the same time contaminate the Easy-Lease so you've got neather a was or a chemical release agent barrier. In the correct order there is no reason why the release shouldn't be perfect, leaving both the pattern and the mould as they were.

--Matt

Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales