Just did some hot coating (PE) today and noticed as they dried the surface didnt smooth off as normal instead I was left with a bumpy uneven surface( as pictured). At first thought it might be the temperature but i have done it with success in much hotter days, then not only does it not dry properly but it does not sand without gunking the paper, now I have a problem!
Im doing my normal ratios of resin/catalyst/styrene wax , Im thinking the styrene is not good or is contaminated? Anybody had a problem similar?
any number of things could have caused this. a bad batch. contamination.
what kind of resin are you using? is this the first board from this jug, or have you already done boards from the same batch?? if it isn’t a new batch of resin, and previous attempts at hotcoating were successful, my best guess is that you didn’t mix well before pouring some off for prior boards and you poured off all the surfacing agent.
hotcoat resin is laminating resin + extra styrene monomer (thinning agent) + wax (surfacing agent). add another dash of styrene and a good squirt of surfacing agent and you should be fine.
Yes its an old tin of wax and thinning agent, I reckon I may have poured all the wax off the top like you said, i noticed the mix is looking a lot clearer and more fluid than usual so that makes sense, thanks again for your help!
