I'm molding a part for the 64 Corvette race car. I have shaped a mold(male component) out of fiberglass and coated it with an epoxy paint. I used a mold release agent called UMR Mold Release and then covered my mold with a fiberglass epoxy resin coating. It will NOT release. I called the manufacture of the release agent and they said "Oh No it won't work on this application" despite claims on the can. Thanks. I called the ever coat company to see if they know what release agent to use with their epoxy resin. They said "we don't know anything about molding". Thanks. I'm sure one of you glass guys know what release agent I should be using. HELP! Testing at the track begins in three weeks.
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Re: Fiberglass mold expert needed
Back when working my way through College, I had a part time job building dume-buggy bodies and small boats. When we made the molds, we installed a air (or water) fitting that we could quick connect to a compressor (placed masking tape on the mold side to cover the hole). Then prior to applying the mold release (sorry, don't remember the brand, etc.) we used a good paste wax and applied a couple of coats of wax, then the mold release. Once the glass was set up, we applied the air or water and it popped right out. Not sure if this helps you now, but maybe for the next.
Mike -
Re: Fiberglass mold expert needed
Like Mike said,paste wax or liquid wax that dries quickly.
Any place that sells fibreglass will have these products. You could try Mike tip, drill through you male pattern till you just hit the mould and try compressed air.
Good luck.Comment
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Re: Fiberglass mold expert needed
Jerry, The correct method for applying a Mold Release is multiple light coats of Bees Honey wax. You lightly buff each layer before applying the next light coat. I generally apply five coats. You can also make an interior styrofoam mold then add your resin on the outside. Once your exterior object is strong enough, soak the stryofoam with acetone and it will shrink and dissolve. I hope this helps.
Scott SinclairComment
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Re: Fiberglass mold expert needed
Depending on the size and configuration, a crude method is to apply Saran Wrap to the mold and then lay up the part in the mold.
I had a hole cut in thr trans tunnel of my 57 and used that method to cast a filler piece using another car for the mold.Comment
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Re: Fiberglass mold expert needed
Scott, I think this does help. Have you had experience with Bees Wax being able to release a layup done with EPOXY resin and fiberglass. The epoxy seems to be a problem. i'm using epoxy for strength, it's an air intake for the racecar. JerryComment
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Re: Fiberglass mold expert needed
Like Scott says, 5/7 coats of a good high temp mold release wax allowed to throughly dry ( maybe a couple coats a day over several days)then buffed in between applications. You may also want to then apply a good coat of PVA before you do the lay up. Glassing a air chuck fitting into the mold at a centralized location also helps when dealing with difficult to pull parts. Some plastic wedges driven in the around the perimeter after fabrication also helps in part removal. --- Regards/ Joel MillerComment
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Re: Fiberglass mold expert needed
Sounds good. Do you have a source for PVAComment
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Re: Fiberglass mold expert needed
very Interesting....Would love to see a pic...Comment
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Re: Fiberglass mold expert needed
Poly Vinyl Alcohol is not at all hard to find. Forms a nice film/barrier and is totally water soluable. Use after the thorough multiple waxing deal and let dry and make a film membrane on your mold prior to lay up. I seem to recall that the last time I needed some I was given a pint/quart by a local fiberglass fabricator. I would imagine that anyone working on boats in your area would also have on hand. It is used in a number of products/processesas a barrier release agent. -- Regards - Joel MillerComment
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Re: Fiberglass mold expert needed
Try here. This is where I've order fiberglass supplies, i.e. resin, mat, color tinting, etc. I did a search for release and got the products showing in the link.
Don Harris
Current: 67 convertible Marina Blue L79
Former: 60 Red/Red, 2x4, 245hp (Regional and National Top Flight 2013), 66 coupe Nassau Blue, L79 (Chapter and Regional Top Flight 2017)Comment
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Re: Fiberglass mold expert needed
Jerry,
As others have mentioned, mold release and as many layers of paste wax as you can convince yourself to apply before your first lay-up.
You did not mention if you ever got the first mold to release. I have not seen the exact project you are working on, shape and size, but the times I have been in the same situation, I took a heat gun and eventually got the molds to release. It does a number of things. It softens the release, depending on the brand, but if you used wax, it softens it for sure.
If that itself is not enough, more heat will actually soften a fresh lay-up. It may seem the opposite that the heat will cook off the lay-up even more. Excessive heat may make the part unusable, but you should get your mold back.
If you can even get it started, use compressed air to separate it while applying heat.
Best of luck,Comment
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Re: Fiberglass mold expert needed
I never did get the part to release. I had to sand the fiberglass/epoxy away from my male mold. I did some research following suggestions from this group and ended up talking to a Company called Chemtrend. They suggested waxing the mold and using a wax /silicone proprietary release agent. They are sending me a quart to try. i,ll let you know how it goes.Comment
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