curing resin

Jay45

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Apr 2, 2009
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6
Hi all, new to the forum. I'm using laminating resin and don't want to buy finish resin for the final cure. Any ideas on how to cure (harden) laminating resin once the last coat has been applied? Thanks in advance.
 

GT1000000

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jul 13, 2011
Messages
4,916
Re: curing resin

What kind of temps are you working in...?
If you are in a cold climate you can use any number of items that will provide heat...like halogen lights, space heater, etc...
Just be sure to keep an eye on any heat source you intend to leave on and always provide some form of ventilation...
If you are getting any good sunlight, you can use the free UV light to kick off most any resin a lot faster...
That is of course if you you used the minimum required catalyst...
If you didn't, well it won't kick no matter what...
I'll add that time will cure it eventually and the best way to tell is to wipe the area with acetone...if it becomes sticky/tacky, it still has a way to go...
 
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ondarvr

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Apr 6, 2005
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11,527
Re: curing resin

Hi all, new to the forum. I'm using laminating resin and don't want to buy finish resin for the final cure. Any ideas on how to cure (harden) laminating resin once the last coat has been applied? Thanks in advance.

Do nothing. Unless there is some reason you need a tack free surface rather soon, you can just leave it, it will become tack free after a while on it's own.

99.999% or the boats built never use a waxed finish resin anywhere in the build.
 

UncleWillie

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Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Messages
3,995
Re: curing resin

I haven't tried it, so this is just a suggestion...
Lay up a small sample for experimental purposes.
If you are in a hurry, I suspect spraying a coat of paint over it, clear or colored, would seal it up.
Comments?
 

ondarvr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,527
Re: curing resin

I haven't tried it, so this is just a suggestion...
Lay up a small sample for experimental purposes.
If you are in a hurry, I suspect spraying a coat of paint over it, clear or colored, would seal it up.
Comments?

It can work, and there are some paints that are compatible which are used in this way, it needs to be the correct paint and applied at the correct time though. This would be done in bilge areas that are going to be visible and need a cosmetic coating. Most use waxed gel coat in these areas.

It adds extra work and additional cost for an unneeded step if the idea is just to make the surface tack free though. Leaving it alone for a couple of days typically does the trick.
 
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Jay45

Cadet
Joined
Apr 2, 2009
Messages
6
Cure laminating resin

Cure laminating resin

Hi All, any ideas on how to harden laminating resin once last coat has been applied. Don't want to buy finishing resin for that one application. Thanks in advance. Jay
 

Woodonglass

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Dec 29, 2009
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25,932
Re: Cure laminating resin

Re: Cure laminating resin

Hi All, any ideas on how to harden laminating resin once last coat has been applied. Don't want to buy finishing resin for that one application. Thanks in advance. Jay

R U Kidding??? You've gotten plenty of answers already.
 

Yacht Dr.

Vice Admiral
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
5,581
Re: Cure laminating resin

Re: Cure laminating resin

It just depends on the resin that you have. Ive used resin that cures tack free..and some that doesnt. Did you already apply it or is this a planning question ? If you did then its done kicking..if its still tacky then follow the advice above.

YD.
 

Jay45

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Joined
Apr 2, 2009
Messages
6
Re: Cure laminating resin

Re: Cure laminating resin

:HI, thanks to all for the helpful ideas. Sorry I didn't respond earlier, still trying to feel my way around the forum. After 24 hours resin is relatively hard, so I will wait a few days and let it cure completely before sanding. Chris indicated putting some wax in it would harden the material. What type of wax is he referring to? Thanks again to all.
 

ondarvr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,527
Re: curing resin

The finish resin you buy has wax added to it, you can buy the same wax product and add it yourself to the resin as needed.

You can get it at most places that sell fiberglass products.

What type of sanding are you doing?
 

Jay45

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Joined
Apr 2, 2009
Messages
6
Re: Cure laminating resin

Re: Cure laminating resin

Thanks everybody for your input. Posted twice, my mistake. Think I will just give it time to cure o;n it's own.
 
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