Fiberglass 101

77SceptreOB · #1 01-07-2010, 05:35 PM

I'm thinking of making some fiberglass parts. First I'm going to make a mold.

After I make the mold, what type of material (Clay) should I use to form / mold the corners to be smooth?

What type of wax should I use to keep the fiberglass & resin from "sticking" to mold?

Any other critical info I should know??

I'm going to practice a few times before the real parts go in the finished mold.

Polyester resin, right?

strick · #2 01-07-2010, 05:50 PM

Clay works well. Non water based. Use a heat gun to soften it. Partall paste (wax/buff) over the mold then spray with PVA then lay up. There are tons of good videos on you tube that demonstrate the process. Polyester for making parts.

strick

77SceptreOB · #3 01-07-2010, 07:19 PM

Quote:

....then spray with PVA then lay up.

What is PVA??

workinpr0gress · #4 01-07-2010, 08:36 PM

Poly Vinyl Alchohol.....mold release

77SceptreOB · #5 01-07-2010, 10:09 PM

Great info...Thanks.

BTW, Where (online) is a good place to purchase material??

Sandhog · #6 01-07-2010, 11:12 PM

Having worked in and around (art) foundries I know you can buy mold release from a foundry supply company, so just "Google" foundry supplies or mold release.

77SceptreOB · #7 01-09-2010, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Where (online) is a good place to purchase material??

Any help from the fiberglass guro's out there?

nitz · #8 01-10-2010, 01:17 PM

http://www.shopmaninc.com/index.html or http://www.compositesone.com/

bigeasy1 · #9 01-10-2010, 02:03 PM

www.mertons.com

He stocks PVA in gallons,and Partall Mold release wax in 1lb cans,and also stocks wax fillets in a few sizes.
They work nice when you want a radiused edge,on the inside of a mold.
He carries lot's of stuff that isn't on the web site,so it's best to call.
His shipping is fast and he ships anywhere.