I have just finished shaping my first board, it’s come out quite well, I think…
Now it’s time to glass it, I am having a problem though, I cannot find any catalyst on the shapers.com.au website for polyester resins, and I am led to believe that their UV catalyst “goes off” Quite fast, like a few minutes. Since I don’t have anywhere at my house where I can 100% eliminate the UV light (I try to make my garage as dark as I can but light still comes in over the top of the roller door etc) I have been told that with even the smallest bit of natural light coming in, the resin will go hard.
So basically what I am asking is, if I use UV catalyst, will I have enough time to lam my board when there is quite a bit of sunlight coming into the room, though not direct.
Or, if I will have no time with the UV catalyst, where can I buy some MEKP online??
If there is any sunlight coming in your workspace you should not use UV. If you can find a suitable work space with no sunlight UV is the best way by far for the beginning board builder. If you have a very shady place to work well away from any direct light you can work with it in a pinch but its not recommended…keep in mind that UV light reflects off of things.
I have a window in my shed and I cover it with a piece of cardboard. One time a gap had formed and a sliver of sunlight was making its way in. One end of the board started going off. Luckily I resolved the problem and no harm was done.
Thanks, this is the info I was looking for, I have a garden shed that I may turn into a glassing shed, checked it out yesterday and there is a tiny bit of light coming through, but I should be able to block it out completely.
Dont used pre-mixed UV. Mixing yourself you can use less UV and it still goes off. We glass UV in a room where we leave the door open and roll our roll-up up about 2 foot off the ground on a south facing door, theres always light coming in. Boards dont go off.