Did I buy the wrong resin?

[oops!]

Re: Did I buy the wrong resin?

ok....time for my two pennys.

ondarvr is correct about not over thinking it.

this is no big deal.

the reason for the waxed resin is to seal the resin.
it will cure with a waxy surface on it.....

wax will prevent any other layers from sticking to it.
if you intend to add more layers after the waxed resin cures....just sand the wax off.

i personally just buy unwaxed. you can add layers with out scuffing for a few days after.
....then if i want a final layer....i add wax......this wax is sometimes called air dry.

the epoxy does not like chopped strand matt.

and as allready stated....pva is a release agent...(wax) ...pva is NOT USED IN RESIN.

cheers
oops

 

[jonesg]

Re: Did I buy the wrong resin?

FRom what you are doing 3 layers of mat wouldn't be thick or rigid enough for me, not for mounting anything like guages or elecs.
I'd throw some 10 oz cloth into the mix and build the thickness.
The beauty of laminating resin is you can just keep adding on.

 

[stephentyler20]

Re: Did I buy the wrong resin?

Funny how things work out... I started the project today with a quart of laminating resin. Before I actually started the layup, I realized it wouldn't be enough, so off to west marine and I got a gallon of resin with wax.

Well, I got through my 2nd layer of CSM using the laminating resin, all going well, but ran out near the end. No big deal, I figure, I'll just mix up a batch of finishing resin, lay up the rest of the CSM, then quickly my final layer of cloth, and let it cure overnight and I'd be done!

Except... I completely botched the hardner on the finishing resin. Not sure where I went wrong, maybe it was warmer in there than I thought, but I got through about 90% of the rest of my CSM, go to stick the brush back in the mixing bucket, and it's solid! Damn think kicked unbelievably fast, and got REALLY hot. I don't think the stuff I put down caused any problems, but that was enough to end my day. Tomorrow I'll go back, sand off that last part to remove the wax, and finish the laying up with the finishing resin (hopefully with the right amount of hardner this time!).

For my first fiberglass project ever, it's going pretty well! We'll see how the final part looks when I'm done. I'll post pics!

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Did I buy the wrong resin?

stephentyler20,
Nice to hear you have started.
You really only need to scuff it good with 36-60 grit and wipe down with acetone. You shouldn't have to remove that much.
When the resin starts to kick it does go pretty fast.
Bob

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Did I buy the wrong resin?

Just curious, why did you get waxed resin?

 

[stephentyler20]

Re: Did I buy the wrong resin?

Just curious, why did you get waxed resin?

Two reasons: 1. It's the only thing they had in 1 gallon sizes. 2. I figured I had enough laminating resin to do most of the layup, so then I would finish up with the waxed resin, which is exactly what I should be doing in order to get a full cure. So it makes sense.

Also, I'm thinking it's easier to sand the wax off a finishing resin than to add wax to a laminating resin to finish the job (or seal the part in plastic or something).

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Did I buy the wrong resin?

As stated in the earlier responses, there is no need for sealing the surface, it will do nothing, it just complicates everything you do later. If it was the only stuff they had though, you didn't have much of a choice.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Did I buy the wrong resin?

Also, I'm thinking it's easier to sand the wax off a finishing resin than to add wax to a laminating resin to finish the job (or seal the part in plastic or something).

Its easier to stir in than to sand off.

But you'll find the unwaxed will cure anyway,
I'd like to see you try to stop it.

 

[stephentyler20]

Re: Did I buy the wrong resin?

Well, finished it up today with one more layer of cloth for good measure. For better or worse, I'm done until later this week when I'll start the sanding/grinding/filling process.

I'm not as confident anymore in the results... Everything's pretty even for the most part, but I can still see some cloth print, as though the cloth didn't wet out completely. I put more resin than I thought was necessary, and it still wouldn't disappear entirely. So that might be bad. Not much I can do about it now though, except fill like crazy and try to get this puppy level and smooth. Doesn't look like it'll be too hard, just a lot of work. I bought some 3M premium filler to help me out with this...

Also the part came right off the "mold" without much effort, so that's great. Once I'm all done, I'm leaning towards using adhesive (if just caulking) and a few hex screws to keep er in place on the dash, it's not rigid enough to hinge open.