Help Needed - *Vacuum Forming*

[EvoSolley]

Hey everyone,

I'm pretty new to this site, so I am sorry in advance if i posted this in the wrong section.

A couple weekends ago i finished my homemade vacuum forming table and yesterday my transparent green acrylic sheets arrived in the mail. I am going to try and vacuum form 2 models that i made while i was waiting. the models are re-enforced with rondo on the inside and bondo on the outside, so they are hard as a rock. However i finished them up with a coat of spray can sandable primer.

I am worried about possibly melting the primer paint that coats the outside of the props from the extremely hot Acrylic sheets touching them during the vacuum forming process. Is their a chance that the primer will melt and stick to the acrylic during vacuum forming? I need the acrylic to remain transparent and clean once forming is complete.

Any suggestions? thanks!

 

[R2D2]

I am new to this as well, but the plastic cools very quickly as you are drawing out all the air fast with a vacuum. You can always buy a small piece of practice styrene before you do any final forms. That way you can get a feel of what you need to do.

Also paint up a scrap model the way your final model is and see how the paint and primer will react.

 

[EvoSolley]

I am new to this as well, but the plastic cools very quickly as you are drawing out all the air fast with a vacuum. You can always buy a small piece of practice styrene before you do any final forms. That way you can get a feel of what you need to do.

Also paint up a scrap model the way your final model is and see how the paint and primer will react.

thanks for your input. I would try that but i only bought enough for my 2 models to vacuum form (i know stupid idea haha :behave). I may go out any buy a cheap scrap piece and try it out. My vacuum table is 2' x 2' which means expensive sheets :thumbsdown

 

[R2D2]

My vacuum table is 2' x 2' which means expensive sheets :thumbsdown

Not necessarily. I went to a local plastic shop in town and asked if they had any scrap plastic laying around. Well there was one that was pretty beat up and scratched. He gave it to me no charge as he said it was taking up space. Try that route and save a little money.

 

[EvoSolley]

Not necessarily. I went to a local plastic shop in town and asked if they had any scrap plastic laying around. Well there was one that was pretty beat up and scratched. He gave it to me no charge as he said it was taking up space. Try that route and save a little money.

Cool will do, thanks for your help :thumbsup