today's work

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Are you spraying thinned resin into those tools?

No. Thickened epoxy laminating resin -- micro-balloons added to mix, forming a 'home made' gel-coat.

[DrSchmidt]

Another method is to get an thixotropic agent https://www.r-g.de/en/art/210120?srs...uaRreMxCGLXvC7

Rather cheap and the surface stays harder than with micro baloons

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Another method is to get an thixotropic agent https://www.r-g.de/en/art/210120?srs...uaRreMxCGLXvC7

Rather cheap and the surface stays harder than with micro baloons

Doctor, that was an excellent tip, and I'll do that. Just ordered a sample and will conduct tests with it this weekend. Thank you so much for the tip and I'll keep you informed on how this thickening agent works out as applied to the gel-coat.

David

[Timothy L]

I love thus thread - wish I could give many photos a thumbs up - but don’t seem to have administrative permission to so - so I will just waste a bit of space saying thank you again for all of the effort that goes in to making these posts ON TOP of the work itself!!!

[Subculture]

I wondered what the spray gun was for, are you applying a release agent?

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

I wondered what the spray gun was for, are you applying a release agent?

Nope. It was yet another semi-successful attempt at producing a 'gel-coat' for my glass layup work; this time using micro-balloons.

Over the decades I've tried all sorts of resin doping-thickening mediums, including silica fibers, micro-balloons, talc... everything but Kryptonite and lawn-dirt!

But, from this same thread, the good Doctor put me onto a commercially available thickening agent that should be in tomorrow (lov'n Amazon!). We'll see if that does the trick.

Thixotropic agent, this stuff:

Amazon.com: Fasco Epoxies - Fasco Cab-O-SIL Fumed Silica thickener in Quart tub : Tools & Home Improvement

[Subculture]

Isn't that just a standard thixo agent? I've also used cellulose fibres for thickening resin, although it's not a smooth as colloidal silica it adds lots of strength. Also makes for a great coupling coat between a gel layer and fabric reinforcement, a tip I picked up from a video showing model aeroplane fuselage moulding.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Isn't that just a standard thixo agent? I've also used cellulose fibres for thickening resin, although it's not a smooth as colloidal silica it adds lots of strength. Also makes for a great coupling coat between a gel layer and fabric reinforcement, a tip I picked up from a video showing model aeroplane fuselage moulding.

Good tips, I'll file them away, Andy.

[DrSchmidt]

My experience:
Standard gel coat with a bit of color as top coat. When applied and still wet, I use a kitchen sieve to lay down a thick layer of cotton fibre, then I let the gel coat cure. After that you blow away the remaining cotton fibre and you get a turf like surface that is ideal for coupling the fibre galss layers to the top coat.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

My experience:
Standard gel coat with a bit of color as top coat. When applied and still wet, I use a kitchen sieve to lay down a thick layer of cotton fibre, then I let the gel coat cure. After that you blow away the remaining cotton fibre and you get a turf like surface that is ideal for coupling the fibre galss layers to the top coat.

Sounds like the perfect interface between gel-coat and laminates. I'll give it a shot. Thanks again, Doctor.

David

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

[DrSchmidt]

Ah, you thride the thickening agent. Hwo did it work out for you?

[trout]

The Cab-o-sil was used with the gel coat and then you will lay cloth down? Trying to understand the process. Just put cloth down on a 3D printed A26, I s**k (inhale violently) at this.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Ah, you thride the thickening agent. Hwo did it work out for you?

Perfect, Doc. Smooth as butter when using the proper gun and nozzle size. Thank you so much for the tip.

David