Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Painting, Finishing and Care. => Topic started by: old_gunner on April 25, 2021, 03:41:04 pm

Title: The best thinner for resin
Post by: old_gunner on April 25, 2021, 03:41:04 pm
What would be the best thinner for 2 part resin?
Title: Re: The best thinner for resin
Post by: Subculture on April 25, 2021, 03:47:46 pm
What type of resin. Polyester, Epoxy, polyurethane etc.?
Title: Re: The best thinner for resin
Post by: john44 on April 25, 2021, 03:48:29 pm
De  natured alcohol.


John
Title: Re: The best thinner for resin
Post by: nemesis on April 25, 2021, 03:53:54 pm
no more than 10% acetone, nemesis
Title: Re: The best thinner for resin
Post by: old_gunner on April 25, 2021, 05:32:28 pm
What type of resin. Polyester, Epoxy, polyurethane etc.?
Opps, sorry should have stated epoxy resin.
Title: Re: The best thinner for resin
Post by: Taranis on April 25, 2021, 05:50:19 pm
Personally I use Isopropanol
Title: Re: The best thinner for resin
Post by: old_gunner on April 25, 2021, 06:17:35 pm
Personally I use Isopropanol
Andy
Thank you for your reply, may I ask what mixture % do you use.
Bill
Title: Re: The best thinner for resin
Post by: tonyH on April 25, 2021, 06:32:52 pm
Bit like bucket chemistry but normally about 5%. I e. don't flood it! :-))
Title: Re: The best thinner for resin
Post by: Taranis on April 25, 2021, 07:10:25 pm
Andy
Thank you for your reply, may I ask what mixture % do you use.
Bill


It depends what I'm going to use it for but I generally use finishing resin mixed with up to a 30% for a first coat on softwoods and balsa. Ideally I treat both sides of the wood during construction while still accessible.
Title: Re: The best thinner for resin
Post by: old_gunner on April 25, 2021, 10:24:02 pm
Thank you, Tony H and Taranis I shall try it in the morning.
Title: Re: The best thinner for resin
Post by: Taranis on April 25, 2021, 10:29:16 pm
Most vital is that both resin parts are exactly equal. I mix the resin then add isopropanol, while mixing it in it will first go cloudy, keep stiring until it is clear again and some more.
Title: Re: The best thinner for resin
Post by: Subculture on April 26, 2021, 09:40:27 am
Heat also works in thinning epoxy and doesn't compromise the strength like adding thinning agents.
Title: Re: The best thinner for resin
Post by: tonyH on April 26, 2021, 10:05:15 am
Just to elaborate of the last post, the thinners will only evaporate while the resin is in a gel state. Once it's solid it's fixed and can compromise the strength to a small extent. So any effect will vary depending on how much you use, the environment temperature and also the speed/slowness of the resin cure.This is from EasyComposites a few minutes ago.
Title: Re: The best thinner for resin
Post by: Taranis on April 26, 2021, 10:22:43 am
As I said it depends on what you are using it for.
The situation I described is for maximum absorption as a first coat and finishing resin has a long setting time giving plenty of time for evaporation  :-))


Title: Re: The best thinner for resin
Post by: Big Ada on April 26, 2021, 04:36:22 pm
Heat also works in thinning epoxy and doesn't compromise the strength like adding thinning agents.
I repaired a cracked hull by pouring the mixed resin inside then warming with a Heat gun and swishing it around, it does not need a lot of heat.
Title: Re: The best thinner for resin
Post by: SteamboatPhil on April 26, 2021, 07:43:21 pm
I sort of do the reverse, heating /warming resin, mixing (while still warm) then applying, long cure time though  :-)