The technical sheet doesn't specify the pot life with a 2% ratio, can some one confirm? Also, if I reduce the ratio to 1.5% what will the pot life be and will that still give a complete cure?
Thanks

I dont use the Easy Composites pattern coatings, but I do use Scott Bader Primecoat and Glosscoat which will be very very similar in their chemistry - so based on that, I would expect they will have around a 25-30 minute pot life at 23C and 2% catalyst. This will be extended if you are thinning with acetone at all, and of course temperature will effect.

As with most polyester resins, you shouldn't have an issue dropping to 1.5% assuming you are working at around 25C - you just want to make sure you give it sufficient time to fully cure. If you are under 25C, I wouldn't drop the catalyst. In fact, I wouldnt drop the catalyst unless you're over about 32C. It's better to catalyze at 2% and just mix smaller batches. 


I'm sure the EC staff will comment soon and can confirm, so just take my comments as a bit of a working idea in the meantime. It's possible these coatings are promoted completely differently to the Scott Bader coatings and I'm way off with my estimations, but that is what I would assume if I were working with them.

Just the fact that you are making a mould means that everything you do with the pattern and the making your mould should be well cured!

Having a proper cure is key to moulding and releasing well so save yourself the risk of any stickups with making your mould from the pattern and making future new parts from your moulds with being certain that all is 100% properly cured. Check your temperatures and catylst % all the way through the processes but particularly the pattern surface coat and new mould gel coat.

Thanks both, but that doesn't answer the original question.

Assuming I'm close with my estimation for pot life at 2%, I'd estimate you'll be around a 40 to 45 minute pot life at 1.5%.

If you're concerned, the easiest thing to do is just do your own gel test. Mix up 200ml at 1.5% and time how long it takes to start gelling. 

If it's too fast for your needs, you could buy polyester inhibitor. This can easily double or quadruple the geltime without risking uncuring resin.

Ok, to the original question:
The high gloss coat has a pretty short pot life. To me it was like 10-15min. Could have been a summer day, but the temperature in my workshop never rises above 25°c. 1.5% gives a little more pot life, but not much. Still cured perfectly. But I am a conscientious resin stirrer.

Thanks, I'd found the pattern coat was similarly 10-15 mins with at least a 60 sec stir, cutting it back to 1.75% seemed to make no difference. I'll go with 1.5% and be efficient, I think the data sheet says you can go down to 1%.