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Fiberglassing Research

The picture above shows the gelcoat stuart used for the first layer on the cast.. 

Stuart sprays the cast with wax release spray so that the fiberglass can be demoulded easily. He next applys a larer of talc over the cast to stop the surface being waxy and alow the resin to stick to the cast. 

The screenshots are from a youtube tutorial on fiberglassing by Stuart Bray, the reference is: stuartbray. (2012). Using Fibreglass Part 1. [online] Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMOvEnjvaZg. [Accessed 2 January 2015]. 

The video above shows the fiberglassing process used for anamatronics. The fiberglassing materials remain the same however. The video reference is: dantiri. (2009). Animatronics tutorial - Chapter 3 - Making the fiberglass mold. [online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVri5bnO6OQ. [Accessed 1 January 2015]. 

Here stauart brushes on the gel coat to create a full layer over the cast. 

The gel coat and catalyst are mixed together until the colour starts to change. 

Here stuart adds catylyst to the gel coat before applying. 

The picture above shows stuart adding the catalyst to the lay up resin. The lay up resin is used after the gel coat to attach the fiberglass strand matting. 

Instead of using this chopped fiberglass alternatively you could just apply another layer of fiberglass strand matting as the piece is quite large. 

This step is slightly different to normal process as this loose fiberglass is applied over the sticky gel coat, this probably thickens the mould. 

The fiberglass strand matting is then applied onto the mould stippling any air bubble out. 

Stuart applied two full layers of the strand matting and three layers over the wall around the sides. 

Above stuart paints the fiberglass with the lay up resin and catalyst mix. 

Fiberglassing Glossary 

 

  • Core- Anything you are sculpting on for example a life cast, or nose, or genereic face.

  • Mould- The outside shell outside that captures exterior detail. 

  • Flashing- The process of flashing is grounding up. 

  • Touch Down- Holes in the mould that touch the core. 

  • Key- Indentation to aid precise alignment of mould parts.

  • Cutting Edge- Gap between the flashing and the sculpt that cuts of excess material. 

  • Undercut- Anywhere that dips into itself for example nose nostrils can make or break a mould as they are an undercut. 

  • Bleed Holes and Risers- Small holes drilled into the mould.

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