Strange Poly Resin setup

[P3FE]

I'm using west marine poly and noticed that it was sticky after setup. I thought maybe I had mixed the activator wrong. So I remixed it and made it a little hot and reapplied it over the sticky resin. It is still sticky- kinda like someine spilled honey on the deck. I did clean the deck with acetone before applying the coat that got sticky. I am a little confused on which way to go now...Do I grind all that off until I get hard resin and then recoat? Or maybe try one more coat of hot mixed poly?

 

[dgarner]

Re: Strange Poly Resin setup

You are using resin without the wax in it. Without the wax in the resin will remain tacky. The wax acts as a barrier keeping air away from the resin which will allow it to harden.

 

[P3FE]

Re: Strange Poly Resin setup

I used the resin in another area and it dried hard. I think I am going to scuff up the tacky stuff and try another coat of hot resin in a small area and see what happens- I'll post the results.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: Strange Poly Resin setup

You WANT the resin to be tacky for the next layer to adhere properly. The "hardened" resin won't make a good bond with the next layer.

 

[oops!]

Re: Strange Poly Resin setup

You are using resin without the wax in it. Without the wax in the resin will remain tacky. The wax acts as a barrier keeping air away from the resin which will allow it to harden.

this is the correct answer.

unwaxed resin will remain tacky for days.

forget the hot coat......it will also do you no good....if you want the resin as a top coat......add 3% air dry (or wax) to the mix and it will do what you want

 

[P3FE]

Re: Strange Poly Resin setup

I understand about the tacky part- but this resin was old and still tacky-I fixed it by mising a hot mixture and applyng it...the resin set properly- I think I had sme bad catalyst-thanks for all the inputs- it is much appreciated.