This is a prototype for a case that could become a commercial product. It is a moulded rigid poly urethane foam structure with unidirectional fibreglass moulded into the top and bottom to form a sandwich panel.

The finish on the exposed foam is very hard and very smooth, the fibreglass is rough as it is a prepreg that was taped to the outside of the mould before filling.

The coating must provide a durable (somewhat hard and non scratching but not brittle) finish, be self levelling enough to eliminate the need for body work prior to it's application (if possible) and a preferred thickness of .5mm to 1.5mm. There is often a jump in height from the foam to the fibreglass that is the same as the thickness of clear packing tape (I'm working on reducing this).

I am looking at liquid applied coatings or sheets to drape over the panel and heat ( essentially shrink wrapping). Extra points if it's a 3M product, no surface prep and can be easily applied by hand or automated. Looking for a matte grey to black finish ideally.

Anyone with experience with coating these materials?

 

What in the F1 are you talking about? Case for what? Pics?

 

There aren't pics or even a final model but the material we've devised is in testing. I'm trying to speed the process along since We know the surface properties of the samples we have and all that's to be determined is the thickness of the foam core (pending bending tests).

This is going to be a guitar case that should save guitars (Gibson's particularly) from in case beheadings or other damage if significantly dropped, banged or submerged (think airport baggage handling).