Amount of MEK?

[chartle]

Do some colorants require more MEK?

I'm starting to use real pigments and was wondering. I've done some pearl ex ones and they hardened up quickly less than a few hours, I did some with alcohol inks and they still seem to be a bit soft after 12 hours.

 

[Crashmph]

Every tried the toaster oven trick? Toaster oven at 150-200 (lowest setting) for a few hours. Has worked for me in the past.

 

[BSea]

I don't change the amount of MEKP. But you are right about the time being somewhat variable. Too much catalyst will make the blanks more brittle. I agree with Crashmph on the toaster oven. I keep mine about 150.

 

[chartle]

Every tried the toaster oven trick? Toaster oven at 150-200 (lowest setting) for a few hours. Has worked for me in the past.

I have kind of done this. I saw somewhere that to heat up your resin to either thin it a bit to release the bubbles or to kick start the reaction you could use a coffee cup warmer.

I couldn't find one anywhere, I guess most people drink out of disposable cups now, but found the next best thing (might even be the exact same thing), a cheap candle warmer.

I've set the blanks on it while still in the tubes and I guess it may have helped. But I didn't for these because I'm using 1/2" PVC to save resin for slim lines and last time it warped the tubes. I even thought of making a small oven with it but it's super cheap and wouldn't trust it.

I could use the toaster oven but I'm already catching hell for stinking up the house when I mix it up in the basement. I only have a few small time windows when I'm home alone and can do stuff like use the toaster oven. :wink:

Oh and most drop per ounce i've done so far is 6 maybe 7.

 

[George417]

Every tried the toaster oven trick? Toaster oven at 150-200 (lowest setting) for a few hours. Has worked for me in the past.

I have kind of done this. I saw somewhere that to heat up your resin to either thin it a bit to release the bubbles or to kick start the reaction you could use a coffee cup warmer.

I couldn't find one anywhere, I guess most people drink out of disposable cups now, but found the next best thing (might even be the exact same thing), a cheap candle warmer.

I've set the blanks on it while still in the tubes and I guess it may have helped. But I didn't for these because I'm using 1/2" PVC to save resin for slim lines and last time it warped the tubes. I even thought of making a small oven with it but it's super cheap and wouldn't trust it.

I could use the toaster oven but I'm already catching hell for stinking up the house when I mix it up in the basement. I only have a few small time windows when I'm home alone and can do stuff like use the toaster oven. :wink:

Oh and most drop per ounce i've done so far is 6 maybe 7.

Coffee cup warmer
Try Bed Bath & Beyond. I got one for around $5.00

 

[Dai Sensei]

A lot of pigments and dyes inhibit setting times, even different colours effect the times of setting differently, plus amounts of the additives. Volumes also effect setting times due to the heat generation, plus the initial temperature of the resin when the catalyst is added.

So in short, everything effects setting times :redface:

I heat my resin before casting, to ensure minimum viscosity, plus it helps bubbles rise. I just put the resin that is in a cup in a larger container with hot water or in a heated ultrasonic cleaner chamber (for smaller qtys). Just make sure no water gets in the resin.

I do try and minimise catalyst as it does increase the casts brittleness. I use between 2% to as low as 0.1% for large volume pours.

Cheers

 

[chartle]

Ok here is what I'm trying.

The candle warmer is a tad harsh and on even for heat. So after I poured my blank, after using the warmer to pre warm my resin. Did this started with hot water and after less than an hour it's pretty well set. The water helps distribute the heat. I'll check to see how hot it gets after an hour or so.

I put an old glove finger over the masking tape to water proof it.

 

[chartle]

Oh and my blanks did harden. I've been out every night and last night was the first time I could get at them.

No bubbles and perfect hardness.

 

[chartle]

Candle warmer reads 240 F in some spots.

 

[SantaEric]

walmart sells them for around 15.00

 

[chartle]

walmart sells them for around 15.00

Less than 5 at my locally owned chart store