large but thin transparent resin cast in open mould

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large but thin transparent resin cast in open mould

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palace	palace posted 10 Years Ago HOT Topic Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 6, Visits: 41	Hi, 1. I need to make an 110 x 40 x 0,4 cm water clear resin cast. Would you recommend polyester resin for this ? The mould I will use is made of rtv silicone. 2. I will cast in an open mould. Any suggestions on how I can keep the surface of my cast tack free ? I read that cellophane film can be used to cover the surface of the cast and protect it from air. If this is correct: Do I need to place the cellophane film DIRECTLY on the surface after I have poured the resin ? Or will it do if I place the cellophane 1 cm over the surface ? (My mould is in a wooden frame, and it would be a lot easier to place (tape) the cellophane ON the frame, rather than IN the frame.) If I need to place the cellophane film directly on the surface: When do I do that? Immediately or when the resin has started to cure? I also read about MW wax. If that would be a better idea for protecting the surface: how do I apply the wax ? Do I mix it with the resin, or do i pour it over the resin as a final layer ? I need a clear and transparent cast without any cloudiness or discolouration. Thank you Tags surface finish water clear resin Edited 10 Years Ago by palace
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eflin1	eflin1 posted 10 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 2, Visits: 4	Interesting I just startet working on a simular projekt. working with a water-clear epoxy-resin, on a 1 x 2 meter silicone-mould, my problem is the small-fisheying open spots on the rather round-zones of the mould after the firts resin-layer, so I was thinking about doing the second resin-layer with the Easy-composites "clear Epoxy-Gel-Coat", only to cover-up these small open-fisheyes-holes. Afterwards a third resin layer would therefore (hopefully) cover up the entire mould-form Still--im not shure if this "clear Epoxy-Gel-Coat" REALY is a clear as proclaimed with a layer-high of 2 /3 mm ???? any users out there with practical Info´s ? Jor
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brainfart	brainfart posted 10 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 198, Visits: 1.4K	> I need a clear and transparent cast without any cloudiness or discolouration. Good luck, you will need it. > I need to make an 110 x 40 x 0,4 cm water clear resin cast. Just buy a sheet of clear acrylic/plexiglas at the next hardware store. Much cheaper, easier, faster.
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palace	palace posted 10 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 6, Visits: 41	Well, one side of my cast will be against the silicone mould, which has a lot of complex details. The other side, the one that is in the open, will be the back of the cast. brainfart (17/08/2014) > > I need to make an 110 x 40 x 0,4 cm water clear resin cast. Just buy a sheet of clear acrylic/plexiglas at the next hardware store. Much cheaper, easier, faster. Edited 10 Years Ago by palace
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brainfart	brainfart posted 10 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 198, Visits: 1.4K	Oh ok, I thought you wanted to produce a clear, transparent and glass-like sheet which doesn't produce optical distortions. This is incredibly hard. In that case my recommendation would have been the following: Is it possible to orient the mold vertically, use a sheet of glass as the other side of the mold, and pour the resin from the top?
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Warren (Staff)	Warren (Staff) posted 10 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Administrators Posts: 2.5K, Visits: 7.9K	Use Solution MW Wax Gelcoat Additive to stop the back going tacky. It can be cleaned off afterwards and the surface fine sanded and polished if a perfectly smooth finish is desired. Also ensure you are using a addition or platinum cure silicone. Most water clear casting resins do not like condensation cure silicones and will likely end up cloudy if too much moisture is present. Warren Penalver Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant
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palace	palace posted 10 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 6, Visits: 41	Thank you Warren, I have ordered the wax. I couldn't find any technical data sheet regarding the use of the product. How do I apply it? Do i mix it with the resin or do I pour it over the resin as a last layer ? I found this: "Solution MW (or Wax Additive) is added to unsaturated polyester and vinylester gelcoats at a low percentage (usually around 2%)" but I don't understand what it means. Could you please elaborate ? Edited 10 Years Ago by palace
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Dravis	Dravis posted 10 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 592, Visits: 1.9K	You just mix it into the resin... it will "float" to the top of the gelcoat, forming a barrier against the air, and that will make the gelcoat dry up and get a hard non tacky surface. Personally I would use Wessex Resins "PermaCoat" water clear Epoxy resin... (Sorry EC.. ) it is a slightly thickened coating resin, and really is very clear. I have not had it fisheye off any of the things I've done with it, but I have never used it on a silicone mold. "Sapere Aude"... Dare to KNOW! The written word is the only truly efficient vehicle for transmitting a complex concept from mind to mind... 103% of all people do not understand statistics... Do not adjust our mind, theres a fault in reality :-)
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