MOLD MAKING

 

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Making a mold

 

The plug or buck is required first to make a mold. This will be an original art part that is to be copied. These days very accurate patterns can be laser cut or machined to very small tolerances by computer, then surface finished to make a high quality plug. 

 

The buck or plug, however it is produced must be waxed with several coats of mold release wax and polished in between coats, before the mold may be made. Depending on the desired surface, PVA (Poly Vinyl Acetate) may be sprayed on as an additional mold release agent. However this will reduce the smoothness of the molds finish.

 

 

 

Hand made plug or buck using foam infill

 

 

Once the plug has its release agent applied, gelcoat is sprayed or brushed onto the plug. Gelcoat is a pigmented resin without reinforcement. Tooling gelcoat is used for a harder more durable finish.

 

Molds are usually made from the same fiberglass the part is made from. A mold should be 5 times thicker than the part being made. Such as if a part is made from two layers of 1.5 ounce mat, then the mold should be 10 layers of 1.5 ounce mat. Hence, many layers of fiberglass will be applied, and resin added bonding the fiberglass layers together.

 

Once the final layers of fiberglass are applied to the mold and allowed to set up, wedges are driven between the plug and the mold to separated the two. When  released you have a negative image of the original part, or female mold.

 

 

 

Finished plug from which to make a mould

 

 

Making a part

 

The making of a part is the reverse of making a mold. The mold is waxed, and PVA is applied if desired. The mold will be sprayed with gelcoat in the desired color of the part, then layers of fiberglass are built up to the desired thickness. Once complete, wedges are used to separate the part from the mold.

 

 

PRODUCTION MOULDING and GLASS FIBRE REPAIRS

 

 

 

CUSTOM MOLDING & REPAIR SERVICE

 

British Composites specialise in producing quality GRP (glass) and CRE (carbon) fiber mouldings, production laminating and repairs using polyester, vinalester and epoxy resins, to our customers requirements.

 

 

 

Send us details of your project by email - or telephone

 

 

We can develop your ideas through the pattern & mould making stages to the finished product, on a one off or a production basis.

 

We are also committed to working closely with our customers to provide them with a service that will meet with all their requirements. The majority of our work is moulding, we nevertheless have strong ties to the marine industry, in the way of repairs modifications and manufacture.

 

During our time in the GRP industry we have manufactured a diverse range of products, These include theme park animals, planters, architectural mouldings, guards/covers, automotive components, models, slides, boats and more.

 

We repair classic racing cars and also produce fibreglass parts by skilled craftsmen with 25 years experience in the trade.

 

In most cases, we will advise by return and if unable to assist, do our very best to put you in touch with an alternative service.

 

 

 


British Composites Limited
The Old Steam House
Herstmonceux, East Sussex. 
BN27 1RF

 

Contact: Nelson Kruschandl

Tel: +44 (0)1323 831727

Mobile: +44 (0)7905 147709

 

nelson @ solarnavigator.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

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