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Well its getting colder out now. For all you fiberglassers you know what that means. I thought it might help people if we get a post going about how to adapt your fabbing skills to put them to use in the winter.
The reason its different is because the colder the temp is, the longer resin/filler/etc mixes take to cure. Also, it's just a pain in the ass to work outside when its freezing, even if you have a garage, unless its heated, you will still be cold and projects will still take forever to dry.
The best way to help an your mixes dry is to use heaters. I prefer heatlamps. I got 4 500 watt heatlamps from home depot for around 50 bucks for the four of them. So you mix up whatever you are using and aim the heat towards the project.
Another way to do it, add more hardener. It create a hotter mixture so the curing process release more heat. The downside is it will make the cured product more brittle and more likely to crack.
Other cool things, heat gun or hair dryer. Warm whatever you are working on and it will help the curing time. Sometimes I also like to use a propane tourch. You wouldnt want to put the flame right on the project not even really close to it. Keep the flame a foot away and it will warm it up nice.
The best way to do it though, is to do it inside the house or an area just as warm. That gives you the proper cure everytime.
Whatever you do to warm it, you dont want it tooo hot. Just warm like normal room temp.
Hope this helps someone whos wondering why its been a week and their resin still isnt cured.
-------------------- Need fabrication help? AIM Me at capo don zoni. I have built everything. Don't bother if your completely new to this. I'm not here to baby anyone. If you do your research and still can't figure something out then ask. Posts: 86 | From: Connecticut | Registered: Sep 2003
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Even if the garage is heated, keep the work off the floor. It is the coldest part of the area ususally. I prefer to do it in the garage, then take it in the house for the drying and sniffing. I keep the fresh peices next to my bed.
If you are from Michigan like me, your winter started last month with no warning.
If you are from Michigan like me, your winter started last month with no warning.
...i know what you are talking about...but hey it's supposed to be in the 60's this week Posts: 93 | From: Muskegon MI | Registered: May 2000
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... another reason Im glad I moved to the desert.. it doesnt drop far below 40 degrees at night here!
Actually you can use the cooler air to your advantage and make use of the extra working time with the resin.
You could also switch to a UV cured resin then it wont matter how cold it gets, as long as you have UV (sunlight or a UV lamp) the resin will cure normally.
-------------------- Mike Pipes "High on resin and high on life" Posts: 431 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ | Registered: Jun 2000
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quote:Originally posted by MPipes: You could also switch to a UV cured resin then it wont matter how cold it gets, as long as you have UV (sunlight or a UV lamp) the resin will cure normally.
This sounds expensive. I also have not seen it for sale on any of the usual sites. Is there a particular supplier for UV resin? Does it use a standard catalyst, though I would assume it would not be MEKP. Are there any advantages/disadvantages? Does it stink less/kill less brain cells?
-e3
-------------------- 2005 Scion xB -what should i put in it? Posts: 80 | From: VA | Registered: Feb 2003
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Is it safe to use an electric radiant heating space heater to warm up the shop while using resin? I really would hate to blow myself to bits.
I recently sent my son out to catch the bus the morning after the first "Cold Front" had hit Louisiana. He JUMPED back into the house and asked for his jacket....it was 68 degrees Brrrrrrrr. Yep, he's a pure blooded Cajun.
-------------------- 2001 Tundra Access Cab H/U: P1R Front Stage: Focal Polyflex 165H Front Stage Amp: PG 4150 Sub: 8W7 Sub Amp: Xtant 301a Posts: 163 | From: Lafayette, LA | Registered: Feb 2003
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quote:Originally posted by e3opian: This sounds expensive. I also have not seen it for sale on any of the usual sites. Is there a particular supplier for UV resin? Does it use a standard catalyst, though I would assume it would not be MEKP. Are there any advantages/disadvantages? Does it stink less/kill less brain cells?
quote:Originally posted by jnespappa: Thanks for the tips guys.
Is it safe to use an electric radiant heating space heater to warm up the shop while using resin? I really would hate to blow myself to bits.
I recently sent my son out to catch the bus the morning after the first "Cold Front" had hit Louisiana. He JUMPED back into the house and asked for his jacket....it was 68 degrees Brrrrrrrr. Yep, he's a pure blooded Cajun.
yeah you can use it.
but the problem is air circulation. if you buy a really goodj respirator it wont matter but if your just using surgical masks then youll need to have the garage bays open to get some airflow in. im prolly gonna go get myself a good breather cause i have a giant propane heater that heats the whole 3 car garage in like 5 minutes. stinks like hell though.
-------------------- Need fabrication help? AIM Me at capo don zoni. I have built everything. Don't bother if your completely new to this. I'm not here to baby anyone. If you do your research and still can't figure something out then ask. Posts: 86 | From: Connecticut | Registered: Sep 2003
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What's your opinion on infra-red heat lamps? They are supposed to heat from the inside out.
Posts: 16 | From: Tacoma, WA | Registered: Apr 2003
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quote:Originally posted by mandos: 68, 68 and COLD?????
That's shorts weather round these parts. I've seen my sister tanning when it's 60 or less...granted, that is a bit crazy
Yeah you guys wear t-shirts until it gets to about 32, then you bring out the long sleeves.
Mandos, Obviously you spend either alot of time or money at Team Elec. w/all that RF equipment you have. Are they doing any glasswork up there??
-------------------- '91 Caprice Wagon.... planning stages....Solo X sitting on the rack. Posts: 109 | From: North of some, South of most | Registered: Oct 2002
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quote:Originally posted by mandos: 68, 68 and COLD?????
That's shorts weather round these parts. I've seen my sister tanning when it's 60 or less...granted, that is a bit crazy
Yeah you guys wear t-shirts until it gets to about 32, then you bring out the long sleeves.
Mandos, Obviously you spend either alot of time or money at Team Elec. w/all that RF equipment you have. Are they doing any glasswork up there??
I think they are, but have never bothered to ask. With how much they want to build a sub box, kicks would be insanely expensive. I just bought my new Eclipse deck there.
-------------------- A couple subs... A couple amps... And a couple batteries... Posts: 1323 | From: Grand Forks, North Dakota | Registered: Apr 2001
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I only bought the amps at Team so that they'd be under warranty. The speakers/HU I bought online.
Also, I picked up the sub there because Tony(my guy there) had just taken it out of his truck and they were selling it for $200 and I had a blown W6 and some money so....
I usually pick up wire at Team when I need it. And $2000 TV's
As far as glasswork, not sure. I'm not a fan of letting other people do things that I can do for a lot cheaper
-------------------- Chris Schempp Head of Sales - Elemental Designs
2005 Scion tC Eclipse CD8443 HU eDi 6500s Posts: 1174 | From: Coralville, IA | Registered: Sep 2003
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