How to Mix Fiberglass Resin & the Catalyst
In order to apply a fiberglass cloth or mat, or to create a fiberglass mix for a mold, you need to first mix a resin for the material. In the case of fiberglass cloth or mats, the resin acts as a filler material and a strengthener, holding the fiberglass strands together and filling the spaces between the weave to create a waterproof surface. When used with tiny fiberglass strands, the resin mix serves as a carrier and binder, allowing you to pour the strands into a mold where the resin hardens them into the mold's shape. Regardless of how you'll use the resin with your fiberglass, the mixing process of resin-to-catalyst for hardening remains the same.
Things You'll Need
- Polyester resin
- MEKP (Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide) hardener
- Bucket
- Measuring cup
- Wooden stirrer
- Pigment color paste
Instructions
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Pour the resin into a bucket, adding only as much resin as you think you'll be able to use within 15 or 20 minutes. The resin begins to cure immediately after adding a catalyst and after 15 or 20 minutes becomes hardened to the point of unworkability. Keep careful track of how much resin you add to the bucket.
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2
Pour the MEKP hardener or catalyst for the resin into a measuring cup. Add only the amount of resin needed according to the resin manufacturer's mixing instructions to match the amount of resin poured into the bucket. The typical mixing ratio for MEKP is 1 percent by weight of the resin, which is about 5 ml. of catalyst per 16 oz. of resin.
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Add the catalyst to the bucket of resin. Stir the catalyst into the resin with a wooden stirrer until mixed. You can tell the mixing is complete by a lack of streaking throughout the resin.
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4
Add a color paste to the resin mixture to tint the resin. The more color you add to the mix, the greater the color depth. Mix with the wooden stirrer until the color is constant throughout the resin.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
