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I need to make a mould impression in fiberglass. Have the mould ready and wonder if anyone knows if I can thin the resin with anything to make it level out easier? Something less meliferous or honey like. I want the top surface to be very flat and level and thought that if I thinned it somewhat, it would lay out a bit flatter on the top, more like cream or milk and not honey. Mineral spirits? Acetone? I do not want it to weaken the resin.
-------------------- Preston McCall 112 Rim Road Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 text: 5056607370 Posts: 1552 | From: Santa Fe, New Mexico | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
You could experiment with MEK. Depends on if it is epoxy or polyester resin. I would try vibrating with a palm sander or something similar before thinning. Just a suggestion.
-------------------- John Byrd Ball Ground, Georgia 770-735-6874 http://johnbyrddesign.com so happy I gotta sit on both my hands to keep from wavin' at everybody! Posts: 741 | From: Ball Ground, Georgia, USA | Registered: May 1999
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Not sure if you are topcoating the mold or laying up the copy but what moldmakers and partmakers use is gelcoat. That is what you see on the surface of a fiberglass boat. It can be sanded and is durable.
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polyester resin is thinned down using styrene, can be purchased from fiberglass suppliers.
Are you trying to lay down a high gloss, class A surface finish, but avoid the sanding?
What sort of material is the mold made of?
I've used catalyzed urethane clearcoat as a surface finish on plugs used for fiberglass molds. I'll spray it on wet and let it level, and with practice you can do it without having any orange peel. Let the urethane cure for a couple days, do NOT sand it, and build up a nice parting film with say, 10 applications of a good mold release wax for composite parts.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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