When mixing resin do you guys all follow the instructions on the can or do you have you own mixing methods?

It seems like if you follow the cans instuctions it takes years and the resin never fully cures. I thinks I am mixing it wrong but would like to hear your guys input on the whole deal. Does your mix change color or what is the deal?

Ps: I blantly put too much hardener in a pop bottle with a little bit of resin. Threw it outta the garageand BOOM. Loudest pop i've heard in awhile. :D

What rsin are you using. When I used to use CT resin I found it gelled real quick then never fully cured. I would shy away from CT, Home Depot etc. and go to a Fiberglass supply house such as Industrial Paint and Plastics for the resin etc. The stuff I get now I know when it will gell to the minute and when it will be cured to the minute. It also soaks into cloth and mat way better.

i use the unwaxed resin from industrial plastics, mix it with their mekp catalyst, i use 3 capfulls for every 1/2-2/3 litre, ya know its good when it takes on a brown color and starts smokin

I'm using Tigre brand resin from an industrial contracting place called guildfords. Its a decnt resin if it is mixed right some of the shops here use it from time to time. i was wondering like your mix ratio ans stuff like that

Another thing, is make sure you mix it really well...When the resin and hardener are mixed properly, it takes on a weird kind of greenish brown shade.

keep it coming takin notes here

I usually go any where from 2.5 to 7ish %. Just depends on the weather and how much shrinkage is acceptable for the part.

Yep and become brittle and defeats the whole purpose of using fiberglass, might as well use a glass bowl [img]smile.gif[/img]

We buy our resin from a place called Composites One, they sell the resin to places like Industrial Plastics, Fibertek and dozens and dozens of other places. We use a red MEKP on it so that you can tell when it is properly mixed up. You generally want to use between 5-8% MEKP on your resin. ALWAYS use un-waxed other wise you have to sand the hardened wax off the surface before you can do anything with it. Waxed resin is usually only good for outer boat hulls and tubs when you are using it with a gelcoat or a pigment.

I recommend you NEVER buy fiberglass or anything to do with glassing from a Home Depot, CT, Rona etc........you will get cheap ass crap....

Resin has a shelf life of about 6 months before it starts going to crap, this is speed up with hot summers, as well as cold winters.

You should always make sure you mix your resin around before you pour it to use it as it can settle in layer and you want a even mixture.

When getting your mat ready, always tear it off instead of cutting it, the uneven edges will bond better and give you a smoother and more even surface then overlapping cut edges.

Thanks a lot Tim and everyone else. I've never seen this red MEKP i was wondering if it was common. [img]graemlins/dunno.gif[/img] Does it change the color of the resin when it is mixed properly? Thanks for the help i dont want to half to rewrap the kicks again because the first batch i used was CT crap and never again. So i got new resin today and I'm just making sure i dont have to replace it again. :D