Fiberglass resin Q's

[MDCmotorsports]

Is there a thinner for it?

Can you put in less activator/hardner in so it cures slower or faster?

Will it stick to cardboard once dry?

Thanks!

 

[Stretch]

Yes, the more hardener you use the quicker it dries, but the hotter it gets. It will catch fire if it gets too hot. The resin will stick to cardboard, but it might peel off, taking the top layer of cardboard the same way glue takes the top of the cardboard off with it.
Have fun,
eric

 

[tte]

Yeah...For polyester resin thats true. The more hardener you put the faster it cures .Do not add too much though.

For epoxy you will need to mix the resin and hardener in the correct ratios otherwise it will not cure or will take longer. To speed up the curing process imcrease the ambient temperature.

Resin does stick to cardboard. If you do not want it to stick to carboard, apply wax on the cardboard and apply a mold release.


Cheers,
Roy

 

[lintlars]

Tinfoil also works pretty good as it peels off after the resin has cured
this also works great when making parts since you can stuff it into the small crevices

 

[jimi87-t]

Yes you can thin it with acetone, it will not effect the cure time, but a little can help with wet out. To speed up the cure, use heat. Heat lamps work good. If you need a slow cure, (usually for larger projects, and vacuum bagging) you need to use an epoxy resin, they usually come in 20, 60, and 120 min pot life.

And like to others said, yes it will stick to cardboard and anything that it can soak into. It also bond well with most surfaces. If you are making a mold that you want it to release from, TTE said it, you need a wax or some form of mold release.

You can read up on composites and buy supplies here: fibreglast.com

 

[MDCmotorsports]

I was thinking of just soaking (after it cured) the whole project in water and let the cardboard get soggy and come out.

I take it the cardboard won't release unless it has wax on it?

What other "release agents" are there?

Thanks guys!

 

[lintlars]

PVA is a spray on release agent but its used for a finished mold or plug and mold release wax what exactly are you making?

 

[MDCmotorsports]

A custom gauge cluster....

 

[bluemax]

There is a plastic film, like flashbreaker tape but in a sheet thats used for vacuum baging. I forget what the name is, I forget who manufactures it and I can't find any in my house.
There is also mold release agents thats in an aerosol can and I think some that you brush on. You have to use at least 3 heavy coats of the aerosol stuff to really work.............
OK I can't find any of that stuff around either. I'm drawing a big zippo tonite.