GUIDELINES FOR PRODUCING FRP HAND LAY UP MOULDINGS WITH " PHANTOM VEIL"

Introduction :

It is most important to adhere to the guidelines that follow, for hand-lay-up,initially. Once the  technique is perfected, variations may then be tried out for particular effects as required by the moulder or end user's  specific needs.

HAND LAYUP VARIATION 1 FOR FRP MOULDINGS

1. Polish the mould to the required extent so as to get the kind & degree of finish required on the moulded 
   product. e.g. "glossy" - "glassy" - "matt" .
2. Apply Wax & PVA or Multiple Release Agents on the " PHANTOM VEIL " as is normally done for Hand-Lay-Up or apply a multiple release agent as is now done internationally.
3. Apply a liberal coat of Roof light OR Clear GP Resin OR Gelcoat ( about 200 gms. per sq. mtr. )
4. Drape "PHANTOM VEIL", the Designed Texture (Printed Tissue) over the surface gently.
5. Stipple gently by up to down brush movement (i.e. vertical motion) to ensure thorough wet out. It is most important to ensure that there are no side to side (i.e. horizontal) movement of the brush as the design on the Veil will get displaced due to fibre wash. Also use fine bristled white haired brushes, not coarse bristled brushes as they may also tend to displace the fibres and hence the Design Texture
6. Wet out thoroughly any dry patches by further application of Roof light OR Clear GP Resin (about 100 gms. per sq. mtr. )
7. Allow to cure to touch tackiness.
8. Now apply a coat of Pigmented Resin. See guidelines on how to pigment the resin.
9. Lay CSM of the required density as per design requirements.
10. Wet out the CSM thoroughly with Pigmented Resin.
11. Further layers of CSM/Woven Rovings may be layed as per design requirements with Pigmented Resin.
12. Allow to cure.
13. Extract from the mould
14. Polish or buff only if required.

B) For Translucent FRP/GRP Mouldings & Corrugated Sheets Same as normally done for rooflight sheets, also keeping in mind the above, but no Pigment should be used, or, if desired, mild pigment may be mixed in the CSM layer only, so as to give a faint tint to the translucency.

C) For Logos & Labels-- Reverse Lay - up. Logos & Labels are increasingly applied to finished mouldings for Brand - Imaging or for Identification. When applying these, proceed as follow:

1. Clean the surface of the finished moulding thoroughly.
2. Apply a coat of Pigmented Resin & allow to cure to touch tackiness.
3. Apply a coat of Roof light OR Clear GP Resin OR Gelcoat.
4. Lay the Label/Logo gently and ensure there are no wrinkles.
5. Apply a further coat of Roof light OR Clear GP Resin & allow to cure.

HAND LAYUP VARIATION 2 FOR FRP MOULDINGS

1. Polish the mould to the required extent so as to get the kind and degree of finish required on the moulded product eg. Glossy-Glassy-Matt.
2. Apply wax & PVA or Multiple Release Agentscas is normally done for hand lay-up; or apply a multiple release agent.
3. Apply a liberal coat of rooflight or clear GP resin OR Gelcoat - about 200 gm per sq. mtr. . Allowed to cure to touch tackiness.
4. Drape " PHANTOM VEIL " over the mould surface gently.
5. Press the " PHANTOM VEIL " into the tacky resin by hand. See our demo CD which further illustrates variations quite explicitly.
6. Wet out thoroughly by further application of rooflight or clear GP resin, minimum 100gm per sq. mtr. Ensure thorough wet out.
7. Allow to cure to touch tackiness
8. Now apply a coat of pigmented resin
9. Lay CSM of the required density as per design requirements.
10. Wet out CSM thoroughly with pigmented resin
11. Further layers of CSM / Woven rovings may be layered as per design requirements - with pigmented resin.
12. Allow to cure
13. Extract the mould
14. Polish or buff as required.

HAND LAYUP VARIATION 3 FOR PLYWOOD LAMINATION

1. Clean the plywood thoroughly.
2. Prepare polyester putty for applying over the plywood. Note: polyester putty may be compounded by the moulder using polyester resin + filler like calcium carbonate. Such putty must be pigmented for receiving the " PHANTOM VEIL " . pigment it by adding white pigment to milky colour and then add the required colour pigment depending on the shade of the " PHANTOM VEIL " being used.
3. Spread this prepared putty evenly over the plywood with a squeezee or a spatula and allow to dry to touch tackiness.
4. Apply the "PHANTOM VEIL" gently by hand and press it down into the putty uniformly ensuring there are no air pockets / bubbles.
5. Using a spray up grade of polyester resin suitable for lamination , spray such resin uniformly over the " PHANTOM VEIL " liberally so as to ensure that complete wetting takes place. Allow to cure ( dry ) and sand it as recommended by the resin supplier.
6. Build up additional coats/ layers as per design requirements, sanding each layer as required . allow to cure thoroughly
7. Polish or buff as required.