The BEST place is right here in Ft Collins. A place called Ft Collins Plastics. Its .01 thick and is what Ive used for years for my Compression wrapped lamination method. In fact recently I was approached by a large rocketry vendor (wont say who but we all get stuff from them) and asked the same as well as if they could use my method of laminating tubes for resale. They are also the place I get my 2 oz and 6 oz glass as well as my Kevlar cloths. I also use Aerosleeve as well alot to. But hit them up there and they will have what you want. its sold by the linear ft. and is I believe about 48" wide.

Thanks, Conway. Thats perfect. I'll have to get up there this week if I can get away from work. Or maybe on Saturday. OK, so after sliding on the aerosleeve, wetting it down real well, I wrap the mylar around the tube (just long enough for one complete wrap plus an inch or two), then tightly wrap the mylar with duct tape?

Correct in a spiral wrap from one end to the other then set on end and let dry.

Appreciate it! I'll let you know how they turn out.

Thanks.

Ken.

I would highly recommend using if possible a 2 oz wrap around the outside of the heavier glass cloth. What this do0es is makes for a better finish with less pinhole filling and sanding work. I also would recommend having a 2nd set of hands slow curing epoxy and use it kinds heavy as we want it to for a gel coat basically but still yet be squeezed off. If all that makes sense.

Conway,

Do you have use a release agent on the Mylar? I'm curious because I've got project coming up that I want to fiberglass. Are any of the fiberglass/composite gurus of the club willing to put on a hands on clinic?

Ron Dreasher

The Mylar itself is a release agent. It needs none as the epoxy will not stick to it.

As far as a demo/clinic..sure. Let me get past LDRS and I would love to show how to do my compression technique.

Conway,

How about a clinic sometime in August? It's after LDRS and we still have time to use our new knowledge before Oktoberfest.

Ron

Sure..

Well, all have mine done before then, but I'd still be interested in seeing a live demo. Called Ft. Collins Plastics today and they are sending the mylar to my home. Shipping is much cheaper than driving up there. Hope to have some tubes done this weekend.

Ken.

Conway, what would you think about wrapping the tube from the center out - one side first, then the other?

Ive tried that and it can cause an uneven gel coat. It has always worked best when going from one end and evenly pushing the epoxy one direction. The other reason is we want to squeeze of the excess so as to not make it to heavy. Going both directions may not help that as what I recommend not laying it on its side or anything horizontal as the epoxy gel coat may be out of round or pool. I always set it on end let the excess epoxy run out of the one end. It wont do that if you start in the center out. Starting one end and working you way to the other has always given me the best results.

With the Aerosleeves I do this to get it nice and tight to the airframe. You need two sturdy posts (I used my fence posts on a corner) ratchet tie down strap and two 3/8" pieces of cord about 5' long and then some zip ties. Here is what you do. Put a loop in each end of the cords and then a big honking knot in the other end. Big. Next slip Mr. Aerosleeve over the airframe with about 6" extra on each end. Now put Mr. Knot into the extra and pull the Aerosleeve around the knot. Zip tie on the other side of the knot so it can't pull through. Repeat for both ends. Now take one loop and put it around the post. Take the ratchet strap and put it around the other post and connect the other end to the loop. Pull tight and then ratchet it pretty tight. It should pull the weave very nicely and keep it tight to the body tube. I've always done this and came out with very nicely glassed tubes.

Edward

I have also seen where glass is laid dry over a tube, and then a woman's nylon stocking is stretched over the assembly, pulled tight and knotted on both ends. The epoxy then gets painted over the whole works. When it is dry, you sand the ends.

It really works incredibly well! Weave is tight, etc. Pretty clever technique........