3M HSRF Release Agent

[BUDFIVE]

Builders, I am exploring the use of 3M HSRF and have some on order. Is there an effective release agent that can be applied to a surface so HSRF does NOT stick?

My first use of HSRF is bonding studs per edwardb’s side vent method which doesn’t require a release. But I’m thinking of other uses where it would be useful. The best similar example is ‘glass bedding a rifle stock to a barrel—Johnsons’s paste wax applied to the barrel and lightly buffed off prevents the fiberglass filler from sticking to the barrel while setting and sticking to the stock. I guess this is like the mold release applied to the mold to prevent our body’s gel coat from sticking?

Is there a release agent (aka mold release) for 3M HSRF?

[Jeff Kleiner]

What are you trying to do with it besides the studs? If you’re thinking about doing anything else to the body…please don’t! There’s a reason that Jeff Miller, Ken Pike and myself all say that purchasing and using HSRF should require license! :D

Jeff

[JimStone]

What are you trying to do with it besides the studs? If you’re thinking about doing anything else to the body…please don’t! There’s a reason that Jeff Miller, Ken Pike and myself all say that using HSRF should require license!

Jeff

Glad you posted this Jeff. Could've gotten myself into trouble

[BUDFIVE]

Jeff,
Nothing planned yet—I can imagine how big a mess one could make and why you said the above :)
Just curious-I had sent a PM to Edwardb wondering how to keep the angle aluminum from sticking when bonding the studs. He explained that the angles are secured away from the bond while curing. But I still was curious.

[D Stand]

When I applied my studs I placed wax paper between the studs and aluminum brackets. It worked well.

[Dgc333]

What are you trying to do with it besides the studs? If you’re thinking about doing anything else to the body…please don’t! There’s a reason that Jeff Miller, Ken Pike and myself all say that purchasing and using HSRF should require license! :D

Jeff

Why do you say that? I didn't find it to be anymore difficult to use than any other filler. Certainly harder to sand but no worse than Metal to Metal filler that I have used to replace lead on steel bodies. I used it to fill the deeper voids on the body seams, a couple of places where the inner and outer layers of the hood separated and on the gaps between the inner and outer door skins.

[Kbl7td]

It’s just poly resin, nothing special about it. Wax or PVA

[Jeff Kleiner]

Why do you say that? I didn't find it to be anymore difficult to use than any other filler. Certainly harder to sand but no worse than Metal to Metal filler that I have used to replace lead on steel bodies. I used it to fill the deeper voids on the body seams, a couple of places where the inner and outer layers of the hood separated and on the gaps between the inner and outer door skins.

Because I (and Jeff and Ken) have spent days undoing what some builders have done with it when they have used it improperly.

Jeff

[Dgc333]

Because I (and Jeff and Ken) have spent days undoing what some builders have done with it when they have used it improperly.

Jeff

Understood, interestingly when I first ordered my kit I read everything I could on all the forums to try and understand where all the pit falls might be. Folks talked about the 3M HSRF as if it was gods gift to the kit builder. I purchased a quart of it because of the posts, otherwise I would have used fiberglass reinforced filler in the areas I used the HSRF. 😏

[edwardb]

Why do you say that? I didn't find it to be anymore difficult to use than any other filler. Certainly harder to sand but no worse than Metal to Metal filler that I have used to replace lead on steel bodies. I used it to fill the deeper voids on the body seams, a couple of places where the inner and outer layers of the hood separated and on the gaps between the inner and outer door skins.


Understood, interestingly when I first ordered my kit I read everything I could on all the forums to try and understand where all the pit falls might be. Folks talked about the 3M HSRF as if it was gods gift to the kit builder. I purchased a quart of it because of the posts, otherwise I would have used fiberglass reinforced filler in the areas I used the HSRF. ��

I haven't found anything better than HSRF for bonding to the underside of the body or other vinylester parts. Base studs, mounting brackets, etc. With both surfaces roughed up, it creates a strong and permanent bond. For large voids it's an excellent filler and I've done that too. But trowel it on like polyester filler (Rage, etc.) expecting to sand it back off is not an ideal use. No doubt that's what the Jeffs don't appreciate. It does sand, but with heavy grit paper that you change often (it eats paper), lots of elbow grease, and don't expect a fine finish. If used like that, I try to leave it just below the surface and finish with regular filler. I had some rather large voids that I repaired with HSRF on my Coupe build. I spilled over the edges a bit including onto the gel coat. Received a bit of a rebuke (diplomatic...) from the body shop guys.