tooling gelcoat

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by garrybull, Sep 19, 2013.

  1. garrybull
    Joined: Nov 2010
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    Location: portsmouth england

    garrybull Senior Member

    im almost at the point of moulding my new cat hull.

    the hull plug is almost finished sanded down ready for duratec paints to be applied and polished up.

    now my local grp supplier says that it will be ok to use normal gelcoat for the new mould surface instead of tooling gelcoat.

    i have made a few smaller moulds with normal gelcoat and they have all come out fine but this is a big set of moulds and i want to make sure i get it right and it lasts for years and hopefully multiple use's.

    another quick question.

    what colour gel do you use in your hull moulds?
     
  2. ondarvr
    Joined: Dec 2005
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    Location: Monroe WA

    ondarvr Senior Member

    Tooling gel is made from more rigid resins and typically no fillers, just pigment (if possible).

    You can't buff fillers to a high gloss, plus they can be more effected by the resin used to make parts, resulting in further loss of gloss and difficult de-molding.

    As for color... the only reason to make a tool any color other than black is if you plan to make parts using black gel coat or other dark colors.

    Well, there is one other reason, if I want you to think I made a good tool I will make it red or green, if I want to know I made a good tool I will make it black.

    You can see every defect in a black tool as soon as you walk in the room, other colors require a good deal more and closer inspection to see defects, and/or poor mold release application.
     
    1 person likes this.
  3. garrybull
    Joined: Nov 2010
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    garrybull Senior Member

    cool cheers for that mate.

    i will go for some black tooling gelcoat.

    25kg will be order early next week.

    doe's it go as far as normal gelcoat when applying with a brush?
     
  4. garrybull
    Joined: Nov 2010
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    Location: portsmouth england

    garrybull Senior Member

    my local grp suplier can get me a vinylester tooling gelcoat.

    is that the best to use for my new mould?

    also can i use polyester resin on the vinylester tooling gelcoat to lay up the mould.
     
  5. ondarvr
    Joined: Dec 2005
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    ondarvr Senior Member

    VE is an upgrade, so it will work well, and it's compatable with polyester.
     
  6. garrybull
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    garrybull Senior Member

    cool thanks mate
     
  7. Herman
    Joined: Oct 2004
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    Location: The Netherlands

    Herman Senior Member

    Indeed, VE tooling gel usually has a very high heat resistance, good gloss retention, it can just yellow somewhat (who would notice on black...)

    Which brand are you getting?
     
  8. garrybull
    Joined: Nov 2010
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    Location: portsmouth england

    garrybull Senior Member

    not sure which brand im getting yet but my local supplier use's scott bader and another uses Llewellyn ryland.

    been doing a bit of looking for prices and every one is around £185 + vat and delivery for 25kg of vinylester tooling gelcoat.

    doe's that price sound right?
     
  9. Herman
    Joined: Oct 2004
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    Location: The Netherlands

    Herman Senior Member

    Yes, that is not bad.
     
  10. garrybull
    Joined: Nov 2010
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    Location: portsmouth england

    garrybull Senior Member

    i have now ordered 50kg from Llewellyn ryland.

    i have got it for £118.75 + vat for 25kg.

    so got 50kg for £285 including vat which i think is pretty good price.

    bought 50kg as i have some other small moulds to make as well.
     
  11. FibrSupplyDepot
    Joined: Sep 2013
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    Location: Fort Pierce

    FibrSupplyDepot Fiberglass Supply Depot

    You can get tooling gelcoat from our site. if you plan on building hundreds of parts out of your mold we do recommend a Vinylester tooling gel. If you are just trying to get a few parts out of your mold regular tooling gelcoat is fine.
    http://fiberglasssupplydepot.com/Tooling-Gelcoat.html
     

  12. garrybull
    Joined: Nov 2010
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    Location: portsmouth england

    garrybull Senior Member

    looks like your based in USA.

    no good to me as im in the UK.

    i have mine on order now and should have it middle of next week.
     
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