Z-poxy????

[jcald2000]

Depending on which filler you are using, the increased Mass can speed up the cure!
This why the mixture in the cup cures much faster than what you have put on the boat.

[larryrose11]

Love6s,
I just got done with a few screw up of my own using CF cloth to make a motor mount for my Starship, which has a funny cross section. I could have used pre-cured CF stock, and cut the shape out, but I was not happy with a butt joint that needed to be so strong. So, I went about learning the ins and outs of non-commercial CF layup, and working with experts at my workplace, I found a method that works great for home use (wet layup, non-vacuum, non autoclave)
The secret to make a strong part with CF mat at home:
- Fully wet the surface. This ensures there are NO VOIDS between the CF layers.
- Mechanical clamping: you must do this for a strong part. the CF likes to move on ya when wet. It is much more springy than fiberglass, and it does not like going around corners. If you bonding it to a inside of a hull, then cut stiff foam (1 inch of the pink foam board) to fit where the CF is going to fit, and put a piece of plywood on the back to serve as a support for the c clamps.
- a porus releasing film: I use a Peel Ply Release Fabric. The film let the extra matrix squish out from the CF when ya clamp it. I also have put a paper towel on top of the release film to absorb the extra matrix, so it doesn’t just leak out all over the place.
If you are working from a mold or a plug, the you will need to put a layer of cling film on that to start.

To review, The layers are:
1. Supported Part to bond to or mold with a film.
2. CF wetted with epoxy, as others have listed
3. Release Fabric
4. Paper towel to absorbe extra matrix (optional, but works well)
5. Wood backed stiff foam board.
But all of these layers in a bunch of C clamps, and clamp it down hard for 24 hrs.
This will ensure that the CF layers are close to one another, and all the extra matrix it squished out, making it light and strong.

So, I know that this is a lot, but if you want to use CF to be strong, not just pretty, then follow the steps I laid out.

[siberianhusky]

Nope thats because epoxy cures through an exothermic reaction. The epoxy itself is creating the heat which speeds up the cure, more mixed epoxy in a cup = more heat and a quicker cure time.

[Heaving Earth]

for a newbie, just buy some finishing resin, mix it up and lay your cloth. forget all the other info….. its easy to do. dont make it more complex then it has to be.

[Doug Smock]

I use Z Poxy exclusively. 5 min, 30 min, and finishing resin. Love it!!

[millzee]

for a newbie, just buy some finishing resin, mix it up and lay your cloth. forget all the other info….. its easy to do. dont make it more complex then it has to be.

good call, I remember reading too much into it and being nervous about something thats really easy to do, don't think too hard about it and just get it done . Z-poxy all the way for me too.