Release Agents

**doc289456** · 11-14-2009 03:04 PM

I am having some trouble, my plastic sheet is sticking (like #### to a blanket) to my cured epoxy.
What can I spread onto the plastic to use as a release agent?
Something cheap - household stuff would be best

**Daniel M.** · 11-14-2009 03:08 PM

Are you sure it's fully cured when you are trying to peel it? what kind of sheeting are you using?

**Cann0n** · 11-14-2009 03:10 PM

Rough up the smooth surfaces before you epoxy it.

Epoxy won't magically grip ultra smooth, non-pores surfaces. This is why you gotta rough up slide pucks before you epoxy them to your gloves, assuming you aren't using velcro. (not related but it's the same thing)

**Daniel M.** · 11-14-2009 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by Cann0n

Rough up the smooth surfaces before you epoxy it.

Epoxy won't magically grip ultra smooth, non-pores surfaces. This is why you gotta rough up slide pucks before you epoxy them to your gloves, assuming you aren't using velcro. (not related but it's the same thing)

he's trying to get it to not stick, not stick more..

Fiberglass Supply - Release Agents

**ATB Longboards** · 11-14-2009 05:13 PM

i use the plastic wrap used to cover left overs in the kitchen( walmart kind works like a charm) i use it anytime im glassing it peels right off no problem. im sure it would do the same with epoxy.

**benmasters** · 11-14-2009 06:01 PM

you need to use something thicker, itll come out smoother.
heres a test piece of mine

**Cann0n** · 11-14-2009 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by Daniel M.

he's trying to get it to not stick, not stick more..

Fiberglass Supply - Release Agents

Oops. My fail.

Yeah. Use PAM. Works for me.

**doc289456** · 11-14-2009 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by Cann0n

Oops. My fail.

Yeah. Use PAM. Works for me.

PAM whats that??

The plastic sheeting I am using I think is what is used to cover books & text books (the non adhesive type).

I have tried peeling in the green stage. It wouldn't peel off so I left it overnight, still the same. It is definitely cured.

Would rubbing some detergent over the plastic sheet before placing it over the wet epoxy work??

**Cann0n** · 11-14-2009 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by doc289456

PAM whats that??

The plastic sheeting I am using I think is what is used to cover books & text books (the non adhesive type).

I have tried peeling in the green stage. It wouldn't peel off so I left it overnight, still the same. It is definitely cured.

Would rubbing some detergent over the plastic sheet before placing it over the wet epoxy work??

**doc289456** · 11-14-2009 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by Cann0n

ohh. I reckon I could find something like that in the pantry.

**Cann0n** · 11-14-2009 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by doc289456

ohh. I reckon I could find something like that in the pantry.

Careful with it. Too much is a bad thing.

**doc289456** · 11-14-2009 09:46 PM

Well I sprayed it (something similar) onto the plastic sheet, spread it all around with a rag.
I glassed the board put on the plastic sheet
I will just wait till it goes green
And then we will see if it peels off

**doc289456** · 11-15-2009 02:39 AM

OK, update
The plastic peeled off nicely. I was a bit impatient, the epoxy was still a little tacky in places. If I waited a bit longer it would have been perfect.
Still I think it's going to be a sweet looking board.
Thanks for the help

**Maxx** · 11-15-2009 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by benmasters

you need to use something thicker, itll come out smoother.
heres a test piece of mine

may i ask what material you used here for a release film?

**benmasters** · 11-15-2009 08:39 AM

no release film, just a fairly thick plastic. and i did it while laying up the cloth not on a hotcoat.

**Maxx** · 11-15-2009 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by benmasters

no release film, just a fairly thick plastic. and i did it while laying up the cloth not on a hotcoat.

Ok, did you do that in a vac bag?
I'm wondering if that effects the shine you can get as opposed to if you did it by hand.

Also not the thread jack, but what's hotcoating exactly?

**benmasters** · 11-15-2009 08:48 AM

nope done by hand. hotcoat is a coat of epoxy that you put on over the cured glass, it kinda fills in the texture of the glass and its what you sand to continue finishing ect..

**Maxx** · 11-15-2009 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by benmasters

nope done by hand. hotcoat is a coat of epoxy that you put on over the cured glass, it kinda fills in the texture of the glass and its what you sand to continue finishing ect..

Oh ok. Then I've already been doing that. I thought it was some sort of clear coat process involving like special heat application or something. Do you know the name of the type of plastic you used? I was gonna try that thick poly-something tarp material.

**benmasters** · 11-15-2009 08:58 AM

nah no special heat applications. but in surfboards i think they kick the poly resin faster making it 'hotter' i was told to get mylar and i didnt have time to order online so i went to a craft store i think it was an AC Moore and looked for the closest thing. just make sure its very clear plastic and that its relativley thick. youll want some rigidity to reduce wrinkling.

**piedogger** · 11-15-2009 09:14 AM

You have to get during green stage and you will have no probs... too early sticks... too late sticks. If you check the overhang it should be not sticky and a little pliable. also a great time to trim the excess, practicly falls off the razor, no effort no mess!