Red Body Question

[Timb]

Is there anything that needs to be done to the new red bodies prior to grinding on the seams? In the past I know you had to clean off the mold release wax really well but noticed on the speedmakers special you shoot the gelcoat on after the piece comes out of the mold so that may no longer be an issue. It’s made for some interesting debate on the other forum

[Jacob McCrea]

All I can say is that having done a lot of fiberglass repair and paint work over the years (for profit, not for a hobby), I would never commence any bodywork without completely wiping down the panel with PPG DX440 wax and grease remover or the equivalent. The extent of the risk can reasonably be debated but the fact of the matter is that without properly degreasing the panel before sanding you risk pushing oil, wax or silicone-based contaminants into the paint, fiberglass, gel coat, or whatever other substrate you are working with. Bottom line: properly degrease the body with DX440 or the like before you touch it with an abrasive, regardless of whether there is mold release wax still stuck on it.

Edit: Sorry to answer a question directed at FFR tech, which I did not see.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Tim, as I answered on the forum they are spraying gelcoat onto the mold prior to resin and cloth, not after. Look again at the video and you'll see that the mold in question is a "negative" of the trunk lid underside panel.

Jeff

[Timb]

Thanks Jeff and Jacob. I just picked up some supplies to degrease and clean the body

[MK4]

Yes on mine you could actually see the mold release in the seems, so sub it good before you do any sanding to it! Washer it twice scrubbed it with Ajax and warm water, then cleened it very well with à degresser, and I still found some in the porous section of the seems.

Mk4

[riptide motorsport]

Comet andf a green scouring pad.

[CHOTIS BILL]

I saw the program and ask FFR about it and they said they didn’t see the program but spray gel coat on the mold then lay up the glass and don’t spray the gel coat after on production parts.

Bill Lomenick