1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

[Trooper82]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

good thinking on the router/chisel combo...as for the resin...what are the temps? I had some that did the same, hit it with a heat gun for a half hour or so...taking care not to get it too hot, just warm...then overnight it came out ok.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

A couple of halogen work lights may throw enough heat off to jump start the cure. But just like a heat gun not too close or too hot....

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

What kind of temps are you experiencing in the garage?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Next time use 15ml you can go to 17.5 if the temps are below 18 Celcius

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

The temperature most of the day was low 70'sF. It's been high 60's low 70s all evening. I actually just threw another log on. I will have to use more hardener on the stringers.

 

[fstorm08]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Nice job TC.

I ran into a similar situation but is was not so pronounced an was able to take off about 1/4 inch from the splashwell and she fit almost perfectly back on.

As for the poly/cat ratio, I think wood is right on as I had a similar problem and it was the humidity. Especially if you had been getting lots of rain lately and things are pretty wet outside. I already had a low temp (basement model) dehumidifier that I was able to use in the garage (doors closed) for a day before and the next day after glassing that helped a ton with the cure. This was one of those units that will work down to 44 degrees Fahrenheit.

Keep up the good work.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Temps sound good enough, but a little extra catalyst might be the answer...although beware, it could be a double edged sword and kick on you much quicker than expected...
No worries, yesterdays mix should cure up just fine by today...
If it is at all possible, wheel the hull out into the sun for a bit, the UV from the sun will kick it off quick...that is if the sun is out...

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

I just went out and hooked up my halogen work lights. Fire went out during the night and we have frost this morning. The temp in the garage is still in mid 50's. The lights should heat it up good until the fire gets going. I was hoping to get the stringers done today. So now I wait...tick tock....tick tock.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Is there a time when it becomes apparent that it's not going to dry? Am I worrying to much or too impatient. I tried a heat gun but that seemed to soften it more. It's 11 o'clock local time and wet. I can however put my hand on it on one side and not get wet.I have even pondered the thought of tearing this all apart. I got to say, I am turning gray on this one. :mad-new::facepalm::embarassed:
I am thinking that I should have spent the extra money and went back to using epoxy, something that I know more about. Dont mind my ranting.. Just frustrated.More worried that frustrated. If I end up tearing this all off I know I will have a big mess on my hands.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Not sure why, but it happens sometimes. Lots of variables, but I'm betting your ratio needs adjusting. If you put 1% MEKP in it, It will harden so you can stop worrying!:joyous: When temps are 15 - 25 celcius I would go to 1.5% MEKP and mix smaller batches till you see how fast it kicks. The more you use Poly and play around with the mix the better you'll get. With Temps, Humiditiy, different batches from the MFG it can all effect how fast it kicks. You just gotta play with it sometimes. I'm sorry you're having a bad experience. It's supposed to save you time, NOT cost you time!!!!

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Not sure why, but it happens sometimes. Lots of variables, but I'm betting your ratio needs adjusting. If you put 1% MEKP in it, It will harden so you can stop worrying!:joyous: When temps are 15 - 25 celcius I would go to 1.5% MEKP and mix smaller batches till you see how fast it kicks. The more you use Poly and play around with the mix the better you'll get. With Temps, Humidity, different batches from the MFG it can all effect how fast it kicks. You just gotta play with it sometimes. I'm sorry you're having a bad experience. It's supposed to save you time, NOT cost you time!!!!

Thanks for the encouraging words, Wood. I appreciate that. It's making me feel all warm and fuzzy.:happy:. Seriously I guess I'm still not confident enough with this resin. I'm always afraid to be in the middle of a job and it harden. Not sure which is worse, hardening too soon or taking a long to harden. The weather here I'm sure, is effecting this. We had frost this morning, and we have had more rain this spring than we have had in years. I was hoping to get the stringers done today but that won't be happening. I've had more signs that I should not go on the water this year. And the way it's going I may just put until next spring. The trouble is I'm very impatient doing the waiting game..lol.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

That's why I didn't become a Doctor, I had NO Patients, or is that Patience. I Forget!!!!

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Patience is not one of my virtues. Actually I don't have any virtues left.:lol: The good thing is, it is starting to set. I can put my hand on it and not get wet. So today is a wash as far as doing anymore. I'm still watching resin dry. It's finally a nice day here but still cool. It's only 50 F, otherwise I would bring the boat out and let the sun at it. But still a bit cool. Time will tell.

 

[sphelps]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Sound like your out of the woods with it TC .. Like Woody suggested next lay up bump up the mekp a bit

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Sound like your out of the woods with it TC .. Like Woody suggested next lay up bump up the mekp a bit

Not out of the woods yet, SP. It's still not set and there are no more lay ups. I mixed a batch of peanut butter for the edges and have a layer around the edges, one layer of woven and layer of 1.5oz. It's just a waiting game now.. Like sands through an hour glass.....

 

[Trooper82]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

TC you will get more confident in being able to put the resin/glass down before it sets..I learned hard way...small batches..i think 750ml was largest i went at one time after i got the hang of it. Pros I'm sure can handle more..but me I will settle for a little bit at a time..


I would think that a second layer with more mekp would actually help the low mekp resin to set...anyone know?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

The curing process is Chemical but heat and sunlight will enhance it. The addition of a hotter mix of resin would increase the heat and would somewhat aid in the cure but the trade off would be you would have kind of a resin rich mix that might be a bit brittle in the end. Personally I'd wait another day and write it off as a lesson learned.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

The curing process is Chemical but heat and sunlight will enhance it. The addition of a hotter mix of resin would increase the heat and would somewhat aid in the cure but the trade off would be you would have kind of a resin rich mix that might be a bit brittle in the end. Personally I'd wait another day and write it off as a lesson learned.

I agree. This morning I went and it was still wet. It was actually looking like there was air under it which worried me. I just lifted a piece from the top and it peeled right up. So I went ahead and removed what I could. About 85% came right off. I wheeled it outside and let it sit in the sun for a bit. What was left did harden. Unfortunately I have no more time this weekend to work on it. I will grind off the remainder and sand down the transom again. I'd rather do what I did than worry about the entegrity of the resin. What a goings on....

 

[fstorm08]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

I agree. This morning I went and it was still wet. It was actually looking like there was air under it which worried me. I just lifted a piece from the top and it peeled right up. So I went ahead and removed what I could. About 85% came right off. I wheeled it outside and let it sit in the sun for a bit. What was left did harden. Unfortunately I have no more time this weekend to work on it. I will grind off the remainder and sand down the transom again. I'd rather do what I did than worry about the entegrity of the resin. What a goings on....

Yeah... I have learn lots and continue to learn with using the poly. I wasted a lot of resin at first and found smaller batches worked better for me.

I always have a thermometer where I will be doing the glassing so I can adjust the MEKP on the fly if needed. Also, if it is a larger job, I have the some extra resin already measured out and waiting. I d the same with the MEKP.

I bought 4 of these

10 ml Graduated Cylinders | Plastic

and have proved invaluable in measuring the MEKP accurately.

I found that using this:

MEKP Dispenser- accurately measure catalyst. In stock | Fibre Glast

The MEKP would slowly siphon up and make my next measurement off.

I hope this helps TC,

Ryan

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: 1978 MFG Gypsy Rebuild

Yeah... I have learn lots and continue to learn with using the poly. I wasted a lot of resin at first and found smaller batches worked better for me.

I always have a thermometer where I will be doing the glassing so I can adjust the MEKP on the fly if needed. Also, if it is a larger job, I have the some extra resin already measured out and waiting. I d the same with the MEKP.

I bought 4 of these

10 ml Graduated Cylinders | Plastic

and have proved invaluable in measuring the MEKP accurately.

I found that using this:

MEKP Dispenser- accurately measure catalyst. In stock | Fibre Glast

The MEKP would slowly siphon up and make my next measurement off.

I hope this helps TC,

Ryan

Yes, it does help. That is some great information. I appreciate that and the links on those dispensers. I will have to order some in. I've not seen anything like that before. I like them a lot.