beginner tooling and clear-coat help
beginner tooling and clear-coat help
(OP)
I'm brand new to carbon fiber. I'm trying to produce a 2-3mm thick plate using an epoxy resin and woven carbon fiber reinforcement. I intend to use a "wet-lay" process and would like a high-gloss clear finish. Can I just use the epoxy as the clear coat or do I need an actual "gelcoat?" Is glass a good non-stick surface to use or is there something better? Any help would be greatly apreciated. Thanks





RE: beginner tooling and clear-coat help
If you want to do it your self, it can be like wood working if you want a smooth cloth finish. Use neat resins and keep sanding and applying. Use a polished steel sheet which you can get from a industrial metals supplier or use a polyethylene sheet if you want to go cheap. The polyethylene will not stick to the part, the steel sheet needs to have a release applied to it. See De-comp. See web sites like Northern Fiber Glass Sales NFGSales.com. You need to talk to one of their sales people.
Larry
RE: beginner tooling and clear-coat help
Don't forget that there are several styles of woven carbon cloth and some are easier than othes to achieve the attractive "carbon" look with. Good luck!
Ben Roberts.
Ben Roberts
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Sentient being.