Mold Making Step 1
Female Mold Making – The plug in the previous post received 3 coats of Oscar’s mold wax and polished. Now a thickened coat of epoxy will be applied over the waxed plug and parting board. Making the mold a contrasting colour from the actual molded part facilitates the part layup process. The contrast makes voids and thin spots easy to detect during the part layup process. Mixing equal parts of red and yellow pigments produces a dull red colour. A small amount is reserved for the epoxy mixture to be used with the fibreglass cloth later.
Mold Making Step 2
I mixed only 1/2 ounce of epoxy and thickened with West #404 to the consistency of honey which is then poured onto the high area of the waxed plug and spread with a small brush. The material must be brushed until it begins to get and not run off the part.
Mold Making
The mold is completely coated and set aside to cure. The next step is to begin placing layers of fibreglass cloth on and saturating with pigmented epoxy without filler. A white pigment will be used in making the finished part to match the deck colour.
The last two pictures show the finished female mold with the parting board and plug removed. Applying five coats of Oscar’s mold release wax make it ready for use. Next step is to make the parts.
Finished Female Mold with Plug Removed
Finished Female Mold Ready for Use
This is the first time I have seen using colouring pigment in epoxy. Does it have any affect on the strength of the cured epoxy? It really looks neat. I am only used to the epoxies we used when we were building…
It really came out good Cam. I m not surprised though. I have seen it from you before. I am anxious to see the finished part.You must be in good health and spirits to be accomplishing every thing as you are. Are the chain plates finished and installed? Do you have a date for wet hull yet? Are the mooring fees more or less than the dry dock fees? and with the available electric power and water hook ups I would imagine that it is more convenient to be in dry dock storage. I miss our times of going to lunch or dinner. I haven’t been out since you left. Anyway take care of yourself. I will talk to you later. Your friend. Jimmy D