resin hardener

[OrionStang]

I finally found a place that carries fberglass supplies local to me. I was looking at the MEKP chart in the sticky and it says to use 1% if its more than 90 degrees. On the package I bought, it says to use 2-4%. Its been a little over 100 here, should I just use the 1% guideline? First time doing this, BTW.

[EricR]

1% should be ok, better to use too little than too much. If you see that it is taking to long to harden just jump up to 1.5-2%

I have never used fiberglass or resin so this may not be correct but it seems like the logical thing to do.

[kingleo]

Go with the 1% because it will give you more time to work with. Better to let it sit and dry longer then to waste resin cuz it hardened in your cup.

[OrionStang]

Thanks guys, any other input?

[skittlesRgood]

i have discovered the slow drying resin and i love it. the longer time you have to work the better. if its 100* definitely use 1% hardener and keep out of the sun. once you are all done put it outside in the heat and itll cure up quick.

[OrionStang]

i have discovered the slow drying resin and i love it. the longer time you have to work the better. if its 100* definitely use 1% hardener and keep out of the sun. once you are all done put it outside in the heat and itll cure up quick.

Thanks for the info. One more question, how bad are the fumes really? And does the heat increase the risk of getting high?

[mbdblue]

Thanks for the info. One more question, how bad are the fumes really? And does the heat increase the risk of getting high?

thats an interesting question....the fumes are pretty bad...bad enough to where you will be over-exposed if you dont wear a respirator and you will stop smelling it (theres a word for being overexposed to the point of not being able to smell it anymore but I can't remember what it is.) and in theory, heat can increase the risk since heat enhances the chemical reaction...when the chemical reaction occurs, gas is expelled and sometimes you can even tell when the resin is about to harden just based on how much more intense the smell gets. I dont know if that means you would get more high from it, but if you think about the fact that the smell is become more intense, I imagine it does do something.

[AKBass]

put it in the sunlight if its not drying fast enough. The UV kicks polyester resin off real fast. Dont work with it in the sun though just set it out there when done. if your in a garage with the door open youll be fine w/ the fumes, I actually like it

[skittlesRgood]

thats an interesting question....the fumes are pretty bad...bad enough to where you will be over-exposed if you dont wear a respirator and you will stop smelling it (theres a word for being overexposed to the point of not being able to smell it anymore but I can't remember what it is.) and in theory, heat can increase the risk since heat enhances the chemical reaction...when the chemical reaction occurs, gas is expelled and sometimes you can even tell when the resin is about to harden just based on how much more intense the smell gets. I dont know if that means you would get more high from it, but if you think about the fact that the smell is become more intense, I imagine it does do something.

yes, not one of the little white masks. get a respirator. and dont grab the thing with your resin covered hands.

when i dont use a mask (small projects) i breath slowly, tiny breaths, if i smell resin i stop breathing in, if it smells semi-fresh i take a good inhale. its just become second nature now. but the stuff kills brain cells so do everything you can to protect yourself.

[The Performer]

Just got through with a last layup for the night myself.

Use a respirator that's for sure if you're worried about your health. 1% is correct, I just got a gallon of b440 from UScom that I'm mixing at 10 drops per oz. It's probably about 88 degrees outside with high humidity, but in the daytime here it gets at 100 easily. Usually right after I finish laying down the layer, I hit it with a heat gun just to get the resin hot and to jump start the reaction and I can have a layer hardening in 30 mins.

It's 2am here though, so I cant exactly run the air compressor to do any sanding on the glass, so It'll have to wait until tomorrow after work.