Fin Magic in casting

[FGH]

Hey all:

Has anyone used Fin Magic for the tail, dorsal, and anal fins, when casting using gelcoat/resin & glass for the fish body?

I would suspect a thin layer of FM could be put down after the initial layer of gelcoat (drawn down into the gelcoat), then after reinforcing the fish body, apply a layer of FM just pryor to putting the mold halves together. Does this sound logical?

I am concerned there may be issue with FM not reacting well with gelcoat and/or resin, as there will be some contact at the fin bases.

Thanks in advance.
FGH

BTW, Rodney Schreurs' chipmunk mount on the home page is totally awsome!! Outstanding!! 

[Travis Jones]

If your gonna use Fin Magic I would mold the fins seperate. You probably gonna catch hell trying to put it on really thin and then using resin to bond the 2 halve together. Just my 2 cents maybe someone with more knowledge will chime in.

[kstenzel]

Haven't tried the Fin Magic, but the other day I tried just what you described only using Smooth Cast 325 and that worked good for me.

[Speckled Trout]

If I understand your question correctly, I'd say don't do it.  The fm sets so fast, that you won't be able to mold both sides of the fins quickly enough to create a bond between the two halves.

[ChoppTax]

I did a smallmouth repro like you want. I jell coated each side of the mold. then built each side up with resin and mat. Then I mixed bodo and resin and set it aside. I mixed up Fin Magic and put a good amount on all fins. I now took my bondo/resin and stirred in the hardener and pored it in one side of the mold. Clamp it together and turn the mold over and over spreading the bondo over the seam. When I opened it I was amazed how good it came out.

[Joey Arender]

Gelcoat, thickener resin coat, then mix enough fin magic to do fins and bond halves. after mixing spread it thin on a paper plate and you will have just a little longer to work with it. do a thin fin coat and then spread seams and build up fins. I havent done many fish that way as I normally just use resin.  the ones I have done turned out ok and no bonding issues yet.  the longest was a 18 inch brown trout. for BlueGills and crappie its easier.

[Cole]

I've used it. I casted the fins first, then once they were set I opened the mold and casted the rest of the fish. Worked fine for me.