This question is for those of you out there that are using uv cured resin, how do you know how long to leave your board exposed to uv light? Does the resin only need an initial dose of uv light to set it off, or does it need to be exposed until resin is fully cured?
UV curing resin needs enough uv and at the right wave length to cure. The amount of uv(by this I mean more bulbs does not mean increased intensity) is not as important as is it’s intensity (ie you can have 10 uv producing bulbs or 20 the resin will not cure any faster or better). The resin must be exposed to uv until it is fully cured. The resing is cured when it reaches full strength. Wether or not it is cured will be evident when you begin sanding. If the resin is not fully cured it will remain “gummy” or soft. How long you need to expose the board to uv will depend on the strength of your uv source. Distance from the source plays a very large role. Strenght of uv decreases by a power of 2. If you want more info check the archives. I have read every archived response dealing with this issue and have found many use full tips. As well I recently tested mecury vapor lights for cureing uv resin and found that it is very effective and inexpensive. > This question is for those of you out there that are using uv cured resin, > how do you know how long to leave your board exposed to uv light? Does the > resin only need an initial dose of uv light to set it off, or does it need > to be exposed until resin is fully cured?
This question is for those of you out there that are using uv cured resin, > how do you know how long to leave your board exposed to uv light? Does the > resin only need an initial dose of uv light to set it off, or does it need > to be exposed until resin is fully cured? …You can mix MEKP in with your uv resin for a faster set-up. Add 1/2 the normal amount of mekp to your batch.Herb.
UV curing resin needs enough uv and at the right wave length to cure. The > amount of uv(by this I mean more bulbs does not mean increased intensity) > is not as important as is it’s intensity (ie you can have 10 uv producing > bulbs or 20 the resin will not cure any faster or better). The resin must > be exposed to uv until it is fully cured. The resing is cured when it > reaches full strength. Wether or not it is cured will be evident when you > begin sanding. If the resin is not fully cured it will remain > “gummy” or soft. How long you need to expose the board to uv > will depend on the strength of your uv source. Distance from the source > plays a very large role. Strenght of uv decreases by a power of 2. If you > want more info check the archives. I have read every archived response > dealing with this issue and have found many use full tips. As well I > recently tested mecury vapor lights for cureing uv resin and found that it > is very effective and inexpensive. What kind of MV source(s) did you use? How many? Was the bulb clear or color corrected? How far from the board? Was it a lam? What exposure time was required to cure the resin? …very interested!
I used one non-phosphor outer globe 100w Mercury Vapor. I have not completed any laminations yet but will this weekend. I tested the light by holding an amount of resin (resin coated tongue depressor) approx 2’ from the light. The resin cured in less than 3 minutes and gelled almost immediatly. The manafacturer claims that this light will illuminate 16,000 square feet so I don’t think that it will take any more than one light since my glassing area is only about 130 square feet. I am going to mount the light so that it will be about 2’ above the glassing rack. I only forsee one problem and that is curing the laps. I will try to reflect the uv first and if that does not work I will likely just flip the board. I could purchase another light if need be. The light was only 50 can. dollars (about 23 american) so I could purchase 10 of these lights before I would approach the cost of a tanning set up. I will let you know how things went after my first lamination. I am planning to glass an 8’ board on sunday. > What kind of MV source(s) did you use? How many? Was the bulb clear or > color corrected? How far from the board? Was it a lam? What exposure time > was required to cure the resin?>>> …very interested!