ATTN: Fiberglass Gurus

**FUZE** · 07-14-2006, 05:45 PM

I need a little advice from the fiberglass experts on here. I am not a n00b when it comes to glassing, but I'm not an expert either. The problem is that when I work with fiberglass after not working with it for a while, I find that my resin/hardener ratios suck. I follow what the resin container says, but the stuff never comes out exactly like I need it to. I need a good 10-15 minutes of working time and usually end up with about 5-7 minutes.

So what I wanted to know is if there is a better way to ratio the stuff out. Like a certain container to fill up that would give the correct ratio automatically. I noticed on the "Rides" episode where Alpine's Steve Brown was working on the BMW SUV (X5 or X7, I can't remember which), he had some type of bottle that he could squeeze and it would measure out the right amount of hardener.

Anyway, I just bought a bunch of 1-cup Ziplock throwaway containers, so I'm looking for a way to add enough hardener for one cup of resin.

Any help would be appreciated. TIA!

**Curry** · 07-14-2006, 05:48 PM

When I did it it was in about 80 degree weather, and it was dry.

I measured out 4 oz. and put about 15 drops of hardner. That gave me about 5 minutes which was enough to use up the 4 0z. without wasting any.

It usually takes 2 or 3 tries before you find out what amount of hardener works best. But use small amounts of resin.

**FUZE** · 07-14-2006, 05:55 PM

Yeah, that's what I figured. I just thought that maybe some would say something like "yeah dude, cut a Red Bull can in half and then..." lol. The stupid thing is, on the container of resin, it says to add 14 drops of hardener per ounce of resin, so I poured out like 8 ounces of resin and said to myself "8 times 14 is 112" and started driping out 112 drops of hardener into it. 3 minutes later I had a hot resin rock

BTW, here is the project I'm working on...a custom center console.

**Curry** · 07-14-2006, 06:05 PM

The way I did was I took a measuring cup. measured it to 4 oz poured that in a jar and drew a line with a sharpie, dumped the water and then filled the resin to the line. Bing bam boom done. No more guess work.

My 4oz. took about 15 drops and 8oz. took about 20. Its weird but don't forget to account for the weather.

Warmer = less hardener Colder = more hardener.

Project looks like its coming along well, good luck!