I have a question regarding fiberglassing bodytubes.
I have been using the basic heat shrink tape method described by Jim Zannuzzo at INFOcentral. Rather than using a roller to apply the epoxy, I use a brush to both apply the epoxy and work on the fiberglass so that it is smooth and clear without an excess of epoxy. I am using West System's 105 resin and 206 slow hardener. I have a "rotisserie" stand that supports the tube with tube couplers that act as a run-off space to support the fiberglass at the end of the tube, as described in Shadow Composites' tape (a great set of videos!). This makes it easy to roll on the fiberglass.
After applying the fiberglass, I wrap a layer of perforated Teflon coated release fabric. Next, the cotton batting goes on to adsorb the excess epoxy. Then a tight wrap of the heat shrink tape, secured to the run-off coupler tubes with masking tape.
Now, rather than putting the whole thing in an oven, as recommended by Jim, I use a hair dryer to shrink the tape (since I'd rather not cure epoxy in the house, and I do not have a curing oven - yet). I make passes lengthwise down the tube, rotating to the opposite sides of the tube for alternate passes, to even the tension on the tube and minimize the chance of wrinkles.
Sometimes, the tube comes out great! - tight, smooth, minimal excess epoxy, requiring minimal sanding. But sometimes I get wrinkles that run longitudinally along the tube. These wrinkles are completely separated from the tube, and when the tube is sanded, the glass cloth is completely sanded through, leaving a gap in an otherwise perfect job.
I suspect the cause is use of the hair dryer, which tensions the heat shrink tape too quickly and un-evenly. My next step is to try to shrink the tape more slowly, taking multiple passes, rather than fully shrinking the tape on the first pass with the hair dryer. The last step is to build an oven. But before I build a curing oven, or heat shrink oven in this case, I am curious what others' experiences have been with this or similar methods.
Thanks, Tom F
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