Glenn Ashmore wrote:
Spackling past has absolutely no sear strength. If your plug flexes at all
it will crack. Also remember that any imperfection in the plug will be
reproduced in the final product.


Agreed, spackling (and all the other types of quick-n-easy
putty) make terrible molds. They have no strength and they
dimple or chip easily... when they don't just fall apart in
chunks.


I would think about something other than foam for the base. Possibly narrow
1/4" plywood strips. Sand as fair as possible, cover with 2oz scrim cloth
and skim coat it with a thin coat of fairing putty.

Why not heavier scrim & thickened resin for fairing? If you
mix it up to the approximate consistancy of peanut butter,
it builds fast and can be sanded relatively easily.


.... Polish
the daylights out of it starting with rubbing compound and ending with
McGuire's machine polish. Once you can see your face in it when it is dry,
wash it down well and let it dry over night. Spray a very light mist coat
of PVA followed by several light coats. PVA is very thin so try to avoid
runs by making several light passes rather than one or two heavy coats.

Another option for seperating mold from molded part is .5
mil PVC sheeting. Comes in handy rolls at Home Depot, cheap
as heck. Takes 5 minutes or less, leaves a gorgeous smooth
finish *if* you didn't get any wrinkles. It can be stretched
over a 3D curve but you have to be careful. Heavier stuff is
better for flat pieces.

In fact I have been using a crude form of "pre-preg" by
laying out my laminate on a big sheet of this stuff (sold as
painter's drop cloth), wetting it out, then laying another
sheet over top & rollering it thoroughly, then carefully
peeling & applying it. I have used peel ply doing it, but
found that any piece with much contour is better off to be
rollered in place on it's final shape, then have the peel
ply put down. The peel ply tend to make the laminate want to
fold or wrinkle instead of lay down smoothly.



On the hull lay-up I wouldn't worry to much about the part line if it is
tight. You will get a little gel coat seeping into it. Just sand off the
flash and polish out the gel coat.


Yeah it's depressing how much time goes into finish work,
even when you make stuff from a mirror-bright mold. But it
cheers one up every time the finished gets a compliment.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King