abs for molds?

**scott_fx** · 02-09-2006, 01:51 PM

does anyone know if it is possible to use the abs sludge in a mold? are there any techniques i need to know of? are there any products that i can purchase that would cure faster then the abs sludge yet is desolvable with acetone so i can fuse it with my abs radio panel?

thanks in advance.

**SMOKINV8** · 02-10-2006, 12:09 PM

Yes you can use it in a mold.

You need to make sure to use a good release agent. PVA or any other specialized release agent should work fine. If you aren't sure what they are, use google.

MEK might dissolve a little faster, but its going to take a while to dry regardless. The only way you could significantly cut down the drying time is to make it a compression mold where you impress a slightly proportionately smaller panel to the backside of the original mold, sandwiching the ABS sludge in between. Not easy to do, but it works well if you're going to be making quite a few pieces.

**shotgunefx** · 02-10-2006, 12:17 PM

Are you sure your radio panel is ABS and not PP?

**SMOKINV8** · 02-10-2006, 12:24 PM

Should be ABS. The F-body (Trans Am) radio bezels I've worked with use ABS, so I would assume GM did something similar with the vette.

To find out just look at the back of the panel. You should see an ABS stamp or a PP stamp.

**shotgunefx** · 02-10-2006, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by SMOKINV8

Should be ABS. The F-body (Trans Am) radio bezels I've worked with use ABS, so I would assume GM did something similar with the vette.

To find out just look at the back of the panel. You should see an ABS stamp or a PP stamp.

Just thought I'd play devil's advocate before he gave it the sludge bath.

**scott_fx** · 02-10-2006, 12:40 PM

yup, abs. I alread gave it a sludge bath... this would be my third version of the install :-)

As far as the release agent, i have some that i used for coating the original piece when i made the mold, i think it'll work while casting the new piece. Thanks for your help guys...

if anyone knows of any other product...i'm all ears.

**shotgunefx** · 02-10-2006, 01:16 PM

My days of serious molding were a long time ago (late 80s, early 90s). I remember Frekote had some good release agents for a variety of applications. Though I no longer remember which went with what

**scott_fx** · 02-10-2006, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by shotgunefx

My days of serious molding were a long time ago (late 80s, early 90s). I remember Frekote had some good release agents for a variety of applications. Though I no longer remember which went with what

thanks... I just realized you're from my home state. I was born in Leominster, ever year of it?

**shotgunefx** · 02-10-2006, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by scott_fx

thanks... I just realized you're from my home state. I was born in Leominster, ever year of it?

Yeah, right past West Bum**** right?

(Around here, they always jokingly called everything outside of 128 that )

Actually I do know where it is. I remember I used to pass it going to the Wallace Civic Center when I was younger and went to a lot of shows. Though I think I've gone to Leominster for something else.