tommyboy1229

I know this has been discussed before but can I use partall wax alone on a plug to pull a mold off of? I would prefer to do as little buffing as possible on the finished mold. It seems a waste of time to get a perfect mirror finish on my plugs and then get a textured finish from the PVA. I know you can use wax only on a mold once it has a few parts pulled off of it. Thanks for your input.

Tom

davidfee

Yes, you can use wax only... and Partall is a good wax. It's important to follow directions and apply 6-10 coats. Don't apply one or two and then wonder why something sticks.

You can also get a very good finish with PVA if you apply it correctly (airbrush). Wax only is easier and more convenient in many ways, however.

Good luck,
-David

soholingo

Dolphin Wax.

I only did 4 coats, let it sit over night, laid up the part, and it came right off...

If I had to use PVA, I don't think I would ever mold anything...

j

davidfee

Jay,
With all due respect, when you have a lot of time and money tied up in your molds you may want to reconsider that procedure.

-David

daven

My Feedback: (1)

I used 6 coats of dolphin wax, and a layer of PVA and I still had a couple of areas stick on my first piece. I know I did a good job with the wax, but it still stuck a little here and there.

I was able to get a pretty smooth coat of PVA down, by building it up slowly with 4 really lite coats with my HVLP gun. I painted in the mold also, and the finish came out very good.

AmirN

My Feedback: (18)

I've used Partall only (no pva) on a set of molds.....One coat and no problems. I pulled 11 fuselages and rudders. When buffing the wax to a shine, it's likely that some of the wax can be removed and/or one can't tell the difference between where there is wax and where there is not. I had a small area stick once when the wax was polished to a shine before lay up. However, I tried a different technique that gave me the best results and was the fastest when using only one coat of Partall (no pva)........I applied the wax in a thin coat so it was still cloudy and didn't polish it at all...this way the dull finish assured there was wax everywhere that looked dull/cloudy. The parts came out easiest I've seen and the finish was very smooth as before.......I can send pictures of the fuselage if anyone is interested.

Amir

tommyboy1229

Thanks for the input everyone.
AmirN if you left the wax cloudy what was the finish on the part like? Pictures would be great.

Thanks,
Tom

AmirN

My Feedback: (18)

Tommyboy1229, the finish looked just as smooth as a polished mold surface. The wax was left cloudy, but spread thinly and evenly without any lumps or bumps.....I'll figure out how to post a couple of pictures here soon.

Amir

AmirN

My Feedback: (18)

Here's a fuselage and rudder.........and a built plane from a customer. It was a fun project I did with Michael Luvara, who owns the molds and made them too. The plane was offered as a kit; fuselage as you see it, foam cores, canopy, plans and instructions. I think Michael has a write up some where on this site about Tsunami.

Have fun,
Amir

davidfee

Yeah, ok... leaving the wax hazy might be ok when you're sanding/priming/painting after you pull the part, but I like to paint the parts in the mold... so the finish of the wax (or whatever) in the mold is exactly what I'll get on the finished part. I like to see my reflection, in other words.

-David

daven

My Feedback: (1)

One of these days, I'm going to have to put that Tsunami together. Michael did a nice job on it, and the box is just gathering dust in the garage...

tommyboy1229

I know what your saying David. I would like to paint in the mold, but I don't know if my parting lines on these particular molds are sharp enough.

Tom

Mluvara

My Feedback: (10)

Actually, I don't believe you used partal Amir.. It was another wax that was meant to be strictly a release (I can't remember the name offhand, as I am out of town at the moment). Partall would work only if you have a really well seasoned mold.

Michael

AmirN

My Feedback: (18)

Are you telling me I'm having a senior citizen moment ;-)

Amir