mold release?

cfretz · Post by **cfretz** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 10:04 am

i am trying to square up some outside corners. Can i use packing tape as a mold release on either side? I have a flat board wrapped with tape to form one side as a mold. i plan to work the epoxy up to the mold with a spreader.

will i be ok with the packing tape?

radicalcy · Post by **radicalcy** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 11:38 am

Chris,
depends on how smooth the wrap is. The smoother the wrap, the less sanding you have to do. A good waxing would do as well or better, or even hairspray, or Pam cooking spray. Just make sure your board is as smooth as you can get it.
Larry Wilson

cfretz · Post by **cfretz** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 12:32 pm

its smooth and im not worried about a little sanding. my concern was would the epoxy react with the tape. should i spray it with pam too?

Summersdawn · Post by **Summersdawn** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 1:30 pm

While I haven't used packing tape, I have used Scotch tape. It is usually made of some type of non-reactive plastic (PolyEthylene or something). The Scotch tape works great. Problem with Scotch tape is it only comes in small widths.

I would suspect packing tape would work as well, however, I would test first on a test piece of tape.

Post by **Tim** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 1:58 pm

"Scotch" brand (3M) also makes a packing tape. I don't see why it wouldn't work; epoxy is not particularly reactive with most materials, and is actually fairly inert when mixed.

Figment · Post by **Figment** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:30 pm

The clear packing tape won't cure to epoxy. Sometimes the brown/tan stuff will.

CharlieJ · Post by **CharlieJ** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:43 pm

I use the clear packing tape on wood to form molds using epoxy quite often- works very well and leaves a glass smooth surface IF the tape is smooth.

keelbolts · Post by **keelbolts** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 3:48 pm

Go to your local hardware store & pick up one or two of those wax donuts you put under a toilet. Cost is very little & works like a champ.