Laminating Techniques

Laminating Techniques

Preparing the Mould

Unlike moulds made from "self-releasing" materials, such as polyester film, the GRP mould will need to be treated with release agents to ensure the laminate does not bond to the surface. Most release agents, are three-part systems: a primary sealer(used to seal moulds made of wood or other absorbent materials, and therefore not needed on a glassfibre mould),a release wax and a glazing agent.

Some release agents are one-part systems, but these tend to be extremely expensive. To prepare a GRP mould , first apply up to six coats of Release Agent (Wax). Buff each coat then leave it to harden for an hour before applying the next. After the final coat has hardened, it should be covered with a water-soluble PVA solution which glazes the surface. This dries in about 15 minutes, after which the mould is ready for laminating. Moulds can, of course, be used over and over again to produce identical laminates. If a mould has been used previously, it should have a wax coating on it already. It should be washed thoroughly to remove the PVA coating, then given a single coat of wax, hardened and buffed as described above, followed by water-soluble PVA solution.



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