Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Which resin to use for desk

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic14461.aspx

By dmgeurts - 1/7/2015 9:45:46 AM

Having done some research I see that not all resins are good to use for table/bar/desk use due to the possibility of scratching the surface. Before people suggest normal paint, I've had plenty of bad experiences with this and rubber feet of equipment stood on painted surfaces for prolonged periods of time. Additionally I'd like to have more 'depth' in the colour/design of the desk. That said I'm not planning to embed coins or other objects in the resin.

My thoughts currently:

Base coat: EC "High Qual​ity GP Poly​ester Lami​natin​g Resi​n" with pigment added over degreased MDF.
Mid coat: same as above but with metallic flakes added.
One or two top coat: EC "Patte​rn Coat Hi-G​loss - Toug​h, High Glos​s Fini​sh for Comp​osite (Fib​regla​ss) Patt​erns".

I'd like to get a matt finish and am hoping to obtain this through not completely buffing up the top coat after sanding. Will have to wait and see which looks best. Optionally I could apply an automotive 2 part coat but due to the size of the desk it has to be made in situ so if I can do without it would mean I don't have to invest in spray painting equipment.

My concerns are with the heat resistance of the resin (think of hot mugs and solder dropping where it shouldn't). My understanding is that the Polyester resin should be hard enough to prevent easy scratching. A heat resistant hard resin seems hard to find.

I noticed that some model plane builders mix acetone into the resin to thin it. My thinking is that this would help in levelling the applied resin which would reduce the need for excessive sanding.
By Dravis - 1/7/2015 12:46:12 PM

UV stability does not seem to be much of an issue, unless the table top gets direct sunlight for longer periods (through windows )
(I have an outside kitchen tabletop coated with PermaKote, it has sat outside now since early last summer, and seems unaffected by ambient light or weather.
it does not get direct sunlight. I also have a work-top table in my metal-working shop, coated wit EC coating resin that was several years old before mixing and using it, it did go a bit milky, but hardened up perfectly and is very tough..  I just painted it on top of an MDF sheet, with a bit of wood stain pigment .. (alcohol based wood stain pigment)

I'm sure that Wessex resins will point you to a supplier --- either online or near you Smile

The PermaKote works really well with the translucent pigments from EC ...  Smile