So I poured a bowl full of resin for my helmets. It's an average sized food bowl, and I put about 4 drops of resin in it. Then I coated my helmets, and it just wouldn't dry up at all. I left the liquid resin with the 4 drops in it still in the bowl. Well my dad put 11 MORE drops in it. More than what should be enough. But it's not drying, and it's been on there since about last Sunday. What can I do to speed up the drying process?
Resin not drying completely- What do I do?
- Thread starter Tcgore678
- Start date
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What your going to have to do is make another batch of resin with a higher amount of resin in it and re-brush the entire peace. Because the first stuff is still wet it will mix with the new stuff and harden. i use the top from the bondo resin can and put about 10 drops in that so if you bowl holds more that that you might not be using enough hardener. Also to speed up the process try using a hair dryer to heat it up and activate the hardener.
BLACKULA727
Well-Known Member
When you say 4 drops are you talking hardner? You need about 12 drops of hardner per ounce of polyester resin. An average size bowl would be roughly 10 to 12 ounces. SO you would need approx 120 to 148 drops of hardner for this. The hardner should make up 2 to 2,1/2% of total volume .
How much was left?
I'd suggest opening your own thread, and not jacking someone elses without even posting a response to their thread. So yeah. And 120-140? No. That's way too much. A small bowl. Like food bowl. Not cake mix bowls or anything like that. 120 drops will harden it in less than an hour.
BLACKULA727
Well-Known Member
Well, you obviously know what you're doing. Good luck!. Try being a little less abrasive, you will find that people respect you more for it.
trisscar08
New Member
Sorry I apologize. I didn't mean to "jack your thread". Won't happen again.
Ral Partha
Sr Member
BLACKULA727 is pretty much on the spot with his numbers. With the amount of resin you used, it would have required that many drops of hardener according to the mixing instructions, which you obviously didn't read (4 drops in a bowl?!). When properly mixed, resin hardens in 20 minutes.
We all know that you know your stuff. If only others are more gracious when they receive an advice from knowledgeable folks.
Follow instructions. Plus you don't want to use more than 4 oz. at a time. Don't "puddle" the resin also 'cause this thing gets hot when it's drying, and that will also cause your stuff to warp and brittle.
kiltykollins
New Member
You definitely have a catalyst deficiency. The instructions on the can work great seeing as this is most likely your first time. Next time I suggest using something that you can actually measure volume with when you pour your resin so you can calculate the correct amount of hardener (catalyst).
EJuggernaut
New Member
Use UV light
Resin can be cured in more than one way:
Time - resin will harden in ~5-6 mths on its own
Heat - 2-4 weeks at 90 to 100 degrees
UV light - depending on intensity, you can flash-cure resin with uv light
As for you, without a high-intensity burst uv device, or having to wait a long time, leave your helmet in the sun.
PS - theres also a trick with cyanide fumes but that stuff is nasty, so I'm not even going to explain how to do this
Resin can be cured in more than one way:
Time - resin will harden in ~5-6 mths on its own
Heat - 2-4 weeks at 90 to 100 degrees
UV light - depending on intensity, you can flash-cure resin with uv light
As for you, without a high-intensity burst uv device, or having to wait a long time, leave your helmet in the sun.
PS - theres also a trick with cyanide fumes but that stuff is nasty, so I'm not even going to explain how to do this
Resin can be cured in more than one way:
Time - resin will harden in ~5-6 mths on its own
Heat - 2-4 weeks at 90 to 100 degrees
UV light - depending on intensity, you can flash-cure resin with uv light
As for you, without a high-intensity burst uv device, or having to wait a long time, leave your helmet in the sun.
PS - theres also a trick with cyanide fumes but that stuff is nasty, so I'm not even going to explain how to do this
5-6 MONTHS? Wow. That's a very long time. People on here finish the resin on their helmets in days.
gingersnapples
Well-Known Member
yeah... don't use cyanide. it can kill you in less than a minute without proper protection.
Spitfire22V
Well-Known Member
Because they've used the correct ratio of hardener to resin. As has been mentioned, resin will dry in 15-20 minutes if mixed correctly. Notice he said "on its own", meaning even without hardener.
Ahh. My bad, didn't notice that part. And my apologies for my rudeness to the others who replied. I've tried Blackula's method, and it's currently drying in my garage right now. Hopefully this turns out well. And I used a dowel rod to prevent warping.
BLACKULA727
Well-Known Member
It takes a big man to apologize. I just want you to know that I'm happy you did that and I wish you the best of luck. I can't wait to see what you do!
I have a w.i.p topic if you want to check my progress so far. And thanks!
I'll be following your work too. it's fantastic so far.- Status
