posted
i just got the majority of what i need to make my door pods , but i have a question on what to mix the resin and hardener in . a guy at the boating supplies shop where i got the materials said i couldnt use platic cups for mixing polyester resin because they would melt . he said the plastic cups were only for epoxy resin . is this true , if so what do i mix it in ? also i will list all the materials i got and if anyone can tell me if i need any more materials that would be great .
1 gallon of polyester resin with hardener 12 sq. ft. of fiberglass mat (not sure if that is enough ) 1 quart of acetone just in case i make a mess 4 pairs of rubber gloves ( will probably need more ) thats it for now . im going to homedepot to get mixing sticks , tape , brushes , and some face masks so i dont get all messed up from the fumes . thanks for any help .
Posts: 257 | From: fairport , newyork | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
I used plastic cups. They won't melt until maybe 15-20 mintues, and by then I was done with that batch anyways. Just make sure you have a good place to throw them away where they won't leak all over.
dj MaddShadez
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Old Alpine Head Unit Rainbow Pro 3 ways in custom kick pods Kicker SX900.4 Kicker 2002 S12L7 Revolution 1500.1 More to Come, if my wife lets me... Posts: 297 | From: Xenia, OH | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
i just cut the bottom off of pop bottles and use that. i have never had any melt, and i always like to mix my resin very hot. that way you dont have to go buy cups, because most people will have pop bottles kickin around the house. just make sure to rinse them well before mixing your resin. some people dont like them and say it is harder to mix in because of the irregular shape , but i never have problems, and as a added bonus, they have different sizes for different size projects!!!!
you sound on track though, so good luck, and have fun with it. i would get more gloves for sure.
posted
get some lacquer thinner too (sp?) good for cleanup and to get the stuff off of your hands if you get it on you
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-ex staff :shakes head and walks away:- Posts: 5317 | From: Radford, Va...Radford University! | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
ok thanks . i ended up getting two metal buckets , they were only $1.50 a piece . if they go bad ill just use the pop can or soup can idea . i must have been really tired when i posted last because i messed up on how much mat i have . turns out i have 36 sq. ft . of mat . i got more gloves , brushes , mixing sticks , tape , face masks ect . i forgot to get bondo so ill have to pick some up tomarrow . i have another question though . when im mixing the resin i would like to make just a little bit at a time if i can then mix more . the only thing is i would like to apply a couple layers at once if i can . would there be a problem if i did that ? otherwise ill just make what i think is enough for a couple layers . im just trying to avoid sanding in between layers as much as possible . which ive heard you dont need to sand as long as you apply the layers before the layer before it hasnt cured yet . eventually i know i will need to sand , but just trying to make it a little easier . thanks for the help .
Posts: 257 | From: fairport , newyork | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
Unless your resin has a wax in it you do not need to sand in between layers.
I just got done making the fiberglass trim in my trunk this weekend, it was also my first fiberglass project...
It was tough, thats for sure... One tip I can give you though is coat your fingertips in resin quite often, the only thing that resin does not seem to stick to is other wet resin.
Also it was about 70 degrees here when I did the first layer, I followed the directions exactly and it took almost three hours for it to dry...
For my second and third layers I used about twice the hardener, and it was great... It cured within one hour and I was able to work much faster.
And is that fiberglass mat or cloth? The only mat I found around here was over a 1/2" thick... There was no way you could bend that stuff at all. The cloth was nice and thin, and was easier to work with.
Posts: 6 | From: Michigan | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
one thing that also works for getting resin off of your hands and is not harsh to your skin is regular rubbing alcohol
and....u said it took like 3 hours for it to cure....well....if u are careful...u can use a heat souce and heat the resin and it will cure quicker....a halogeon spot lamp works good for this....but do not heat it too much or else it will become britle and break on u
posted
ok thanks alot . it must be cloth then cause its only about 1/8" thick . i was going to start glassing today , but the tape i got to tape everything off wont stick to the vinyl on my doors . i even tried duck tape and that didnt work either . i have no idea on what to do now cause i dont want to get resin all over the place . any suggestions ? thanks .
Posts: 257 | From: fairport , newyork | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
I bet you have used something like Armorall(sp?) or something similar when cleaning your car. Try and rub down the door panel with a little rubbing alcohol or something similar, maybe nail polish remover.
posted
lol , i just did that today . i used rubbing alcohol and the duct tape sticks fine now . i did one layer on each door today . overall it wasnt that bad . the hardest part was trying to get the cloth mat to stay in place . i used a hot glue gun and glue and it still didnt end up exactly where i wanted it to . the mat kept sliding around a bit . there are some bubbles in the glass , i couldnt get all of them out do to the akward position i had to set the mat in and the moving of the mat . is this ok or do i need to start over ? im hoping some bondo will be able to fix this later on . if i should proceed with the next layer i think i will try some 3m adhesive spray to get the mat to stay put better . thanks for all the help .
Posts: 257 | From: fairport , newyork | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
ya it did work really well . i just have to warn anyone who uses this method to only spray the surface you are applying the mat to unless you are using small pieces of mat . i sprayed the mat first and when i went to apply it on the door it got all garbled up and stuck to itself so i had to scrap that piece of mat . once i added another layer and let it cure for a few days i took it off and did 5 more layers . it was alot easier to apply the mat and resing with the mold sitting horizontal . by the way i tried using the gallon milk container and it worked great . i dont know what that guy was talking about when he said i couldnt use plastic containers with polyester resin . thanks .
Posts: 257 | From: fairport , newyork | Registered: Apr 2002
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quote:Originally posted by where's arney gilbert: ya it did work really well . i just have to warn anyone who uses this method to only spray the surface you are applying the mat to unless you are using small pieces of mat . i sprayed the mat first and when i went to apply it on the door it got all garbled up and stuck to itself so i had to scrap that piece of mat . once i added another layer and let it cure for a few days i took it off and did 5 more layers . it was alot easier to apply the mat and resing with the mold sitting horizontal . by the way i tried using the gallon milk container and it worked great . i dont know what that guy was talking about when he said i couldnt use plastic containers with polyester resin . thanks .
actually he is right, something in certain types of plastic doesnt react well with the hardener... usually its cheap plastic tho, like the cheap containers that you can put your salad in at the salad bar at a grocery store, yeah they dont work well at all... ive had resin melt the plastic as i was mixing it and as i was applying it the first time i noticed my resin, brush, and matting were quickly turning more and more red from the plastic as i was applying it... definately a learning experience!
do you have any pics yet of your project?
Posts: 119 | From: eastern pa | Registered: Sep 2001
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posted
no , i dont have any pics . i dont have a camera so unless i barrowed my friends then i dont think i will be able to put any up . i wish i did though because it would be usefull to others to see the process and all .
Posts: 257 | From: fairport , newyork | Registered: Apr 2002
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