"bagging" results

[rturbett]

Can someone let me know what the surface of a vacuum baggged hull looks like when the bag is removed? Are there ridges of epoxy that need to be sanded down, or is it smooth and ready for finishing?
I just finished glassing the outer layer of a glass /balsacore/glass hull, and I wrapped the hull in heavy plastic wrap to hold it to the mold. On removal, there are ridges built up in the creases on the plastic. They sand off easy enough, but it is a lot of extra work that I wouldn't mind getting rid of, if vacuum bagging leaves a totally smooth surface.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Rob "I think I'll go sand now" Turbett

[Phil Locker]

Quick answer: it depends

If you are careful with your peelply & breather placement, and use a stretchy bagging material, you shouldn't end up with an any resin ridges on the work piece. Especially with large flat surfaces like a hull.

Occasionally on foils, which are compound curves, you end up putting in pleats etc into the peelply, or you might have areas of the bag that can't suck down tight into a deep recess, so there might be some minor resin bridges, but nothing significant.

Phil

[rturbett]

Thanks Phil,
Do you have any experience with West's Microlight filler?
I've used 403 for everything. I'm wondering if the 410 would be good for a few spots on the side of the hull.
Thanks again,
Rob

[Phil Locker]

410 is great stuff. Easy sanding. They caution not to use it under dark colours (or in other situations where it is exposed to heat). Only for use with epoxy, not polyester/vinylesters