Knowledge, For the hotcoat/Sanding coat, is it nessessary to add styrene monomer? I understand that it changes the viscosity, but do I need to do that? Would the resin be too thick with only the surfacing adjent added? If I used only the laminating resin with the surfacing adjent for my hotcoat what kinda of results will I get. When should one use the styrene monomer? Different topic: Do gloss resins require any additives or is it generally used in its pure form? What do you guys generally do, reguarding the styrene? Thanks for advice, in advance Kevin
Kevin, My understanding is that if you have added surfacing agent, you don’t need additional styrene. The surfacing agent is made of styrene and wax. Adding the proper amount of surfacing agent should be fine for a regular hot/sanding coat. The gloss info I don’t know about. Hopefully others here can help with that. Eric J
…IF YOU ARE BUYING PRE-MIXED:it’s not necessary to add anything,unless you want to thin it, have it set-up faster in colder weather or just be a picky glasser like alot of us here at Sways.Herb
Howzit Kevin, Eric and herb answered right on about your styrene question. As far as gloss resin is concerned it’s up to the individual how they prep the resin. Some use it as it comes from the can, some don’t. I prefer to add 10% styrene and a couple good squirts of S.A… Some may not understand what I mean by a squirt, I punch a hole in the cap of a pre-used S.A. can with an ice pick,fill the can with the S.A. and you’ve got a squirt can. I’ve got one for S.A. and one for styrene. Aloha, Kokua
Herb, Do u mix your own sa? Regards, Crabie
Thanks for all your help Eric, Herb, and Kokua. I’ve got the idea now. As far as the customized mix on the gloss coat. What would you say your achieving with the added SA and Styrene? For a first timer, I think I’ll just attempt the “out of the can” method. Thanks again fellas, Kevin
Adding excess styrene makes the resin more brittle and adds to yellowing.
Howzit Jono, never had a problem with styrene causing yellowing here.Aloha, Kokua
Maybe not in the glass shop, but you aren’t doing your customers any favors. I mean long term yellowing.I am not talking about adding a little to add surfacing agent. Styrene is a needed component in polyester chemistry, but the more styrene in resin the more long term yellowing and added brittleness. Probably why boards polish better also. Other culprits are adding acetone and over catalyzing resin. Jono