polyester resin that didn't harden

[jkgroff]

What can be done with polyester resin that didn't harden after 24 hours. I mixed the resin with pigment and smoothed out the ski locker area in my bowrider. I mixed the hardener according to directions. 24 hours later it is still tacky.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[zaner]

Re: polyester resin that didn't harden

It still might dry what is the temperature where you are working?

 

[jkgroff]

Re: polyester resin that didn't harden

Temp is warm, high 7o's today, high 60's now 7:45pm. Was cooler yesterday. The boat is in the garage. I've put 2- 100watt lights directly above the repair.

 

[KRS]

Re: polyester resin that didn't harden

is it the proper hardener for the resin?<br /><br />what brand are you using, and give the part #'s

 

[jkgroff]

Re: polyester resin that didn't harden

yes proper hardner, West Marine model 1937762 is what is on the can.

 

[BrettNC]

Re: polyester resin that didn't harden

Humidity also plays a factor and it may take longer to harden in high humidity. Polyester resin will harden with a thin tacky layer on the top side of the resin, unless paraffin wax is mixed in or if pva is applied over the resin as it hardens.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: polyester resin that didn't harden

Has it hardened at all? Poly will stay sticky for more than a day but it should have initially cured by now. Tackiness usually goes away after a couple days.

 

[jkgroff]

Re: polyester resin that didn't harden

it has hardened some but still very tacky

 

[E. E.]

Re: polyester resin that didn't harden

MOJO, Give it time. I had a batch that didn't cure for a few days. I felt the same way you probably are feeling now. Slowly it started hardening and then the tackiness eventually went away. With the cooler weather that we are having,( I'm just a couple of hours S-SW from you) the cure time will normally be longer.

 

[MRS]

Re: polyester resin that didn't harden

Mojo give it a couple days I was in cocoa beach Sunday and the weather was windy and cold it always stays a little tacky for a few days for me.

 

[surlyjoe]

Re: polyester resin that didn't harden

did you put wax in it or spray mold reaese on it afterward? laminating resin will not get hard on the surface if exposed to air. you may want to go back and topcoat it with some wax in the resin to make the surface cure.