PR questions

[nevyen]

I've been thinking of trying my own PR casting. I was wondering how ambient temperature afters the way it sets up. My garage is unheated and wondered if I could still work with PR in the winter? Also has any one tried one of those food saver vacuum bag things instead of a pressure pot for stabilizing wood?
Thanks
Timothy

 

[DurocShark]

I do it. You really must post-cure in an oven to get it done. WalMart has a $20 toaster oven that goes down to 150* and is perfect for the post cure.

 

[bitshird]

I do my mix outside in the winter then bring it in and pop it in the 20.00 toaster oven, I also have my casting vacuum out side and after about 15 minutes of pulling 28 HG there arent any bubbles to worry about. But leaving it outside it should take long enough to gel that you wouldn't have to worry about bubbles, just pigment and pearl Ex separation. of course you can gently swirl it with a stir stick until you start to get a gel or use a gel promoter.

 

[Glass Scratcher]

You can get thermal cure inhibition if your resin is below 72F. You can compensate by adding up to 50% more Catalyst. However, it is easier to just dispense your resin and then gently warm the containers of resin in a warm water bath.

If you are going to vacuum degas your resin, don't go beyond 27" HG as the Styrene solvent in your PR will boil out of solution at 28" HG. While it is safe enough if outside the change in the PR can cause unexpected changes in your casting procedures.