Re: how to mix large batch of epoxy with silica
Frankly I think if you mix such a large batch as you're considering (in a 5 gallon bucket?), AND add a bunch of silica, you're going to end up with a mixture that gets so hot it'll literally melt the bucket. Then you'll have one HECK of a mess. That stuff gets really hot. And the more silica you add to make it thicker, the hotter it will get. I speak from experience and am not exaggerating...I have melted some containers even with small batches when I found myself taking too long to work. This is most common with a high silica content when I'm trying to make a peanut-butter consistency mix for filleting. Here's the formulas I learned once the hard way...More silica = more heat. More resin = more heat. More silica AND resin = melted bucket and burnt hand.<br /><br />Do it in small batches, you'll be very sorry if you go too big. As for a ratio, just keep adding silica until it gets as thick as you want it for your application. There's no fixed rule. I think you'll find you need more than 1:1 silica/resin ratio, but I'm not as familiar with West's, as I use Raka. I'm sure they're similar. For example, my peanut-butter thick mixture I make for filleting can approach 10 to 1 (I think), but I never measure it to know for sure...I just keep dumping it in and mixing until it's thick enough for whatever I'm doing.<br /><br />If this is structural, I agree with the stir FAST theory to help save working time, who cares about air bubbles? But if this is cosmetic, that's a different story and you'll want to stir slow for a smooth mixture. Good luck!
