Thanks for the video. Always good to see new techniques. You can also chill the resin to increase the time you have to work. You can then catalyze the resin first and then add the silica thickener.
I never tried it myself but I have seen people that live in hot climates use a small cooler and set their bucket in it then fill it with ice to the top of the bucket then mix their resin the cold ice keeps it soft longer thats what I was told
Yes, it saves time. However....adding silica to the resin *before* adding hardener will reduce the strength. Some of the resin that gets absorbed by the silica will not get the proper amount of hardener no matter how long or how well you mix it. As noted by Tony, it is better to chill the ingredients to buy some time rather than premix the filler into the resin.
Huh ??? Think about your statement. If resin doesn’t get enough hardener then the resin won’t cure properly. Improper catalyst percentage has no relation to strength. If something is catalyzed at 1% or 3% the strength is the same only the cure time is longer. If your statement was true then polyester based putties that you can buy off the shelf premixed wouldn’t exist. When you buy polyester fairing putty (ie bondo, radius putty, Evercoat, core bonding putty) they don’t give you silica and resin and tell you to mix it yourself, it already comes premixed/thickened in the can.
@@boatcrafterscollective Understood. The premixes have accounted for the problem. But if doing it yourself, _WE_ have to account for the problem. It can be accounted for and it's not necessarily a deal breaker, but the effect is real. But don't trust me, I'm just some random dude on the internet. Research it yourself. I'll get you started, here's one from West epoxy: th-cam.com/video/GITtvAp20pg/w-d-xo.html saltboatworks knows a thing or two about this resin and epoxy: th-cam.com/video/Y-Lsn4ZXtaI/w-d-xo.html The nice folks at fiberglass supply: th-cam.com/video/wbc6AAL1sOM/w-d-xo.html etc etc etc
Hello Rus, I really like your videos a lot. About mixing fumed silica with polyester : how do you avoid the mix to start dripping when making vertical filets? I also work in a hot climate, my filets keep on collapsing however much silica I put in. Appreciate the feedback Alex
Perfect, exactly what I needed! Thanks Russ!!! PS: do you have a website or anywhere we can contact you direct? I have a stringer dilemma I would only trust your advice on. I have a 17" tall stringer that runs 48" from the transom then abruptly drops to 4" to make clearance for a fish box in the deck. But that step down is a SUPER weak point and you can see where that stringer busted. So I'm not really sure how to strengthen the crap out of it so that doesn't happen in the future, or maybe some other intuitive way to avoid having to step it down. Can't believe how crappy the factory designed this boat and stringer system.
Instagram is best to reach me. I’m starting a discussion group soon on Facebook so people can ask me questions directly. I’ve been getting a lot of followers asking me questions during the day and I want to try to answer everyone but it’s a lot of time to reply to everyone and hard to give good advice without seeing details. I can’t get work done if I’m answering questions all day 😃
Thanks for the video. Always good to see new techniques. You can also chill the resin to increase the time you have to work. You can then catalyze the resin first and then add the silica thickener.
Yes chilling works good also. I’ve tossed catalyzd resin in the fridge before that I mixed up by mistake to early lol
Great clean / clear/ informative how to. Cheers Russ!
Thanks
Nice lookin fillets russ , keep up the good work man.
Thanks. Quick and dirty
I add a little of the FGCI milled fibers with the fumed silica to thicken quicker. If anyone does this with epoxy use vinegar for clean up.
Thanks for the tips. Where do you source your chemicals and additives from?
Almost everything I get from FGCI
I never tried it myself but I have seen people that live in hot climates use a small cooler and set their bucket in it then fill it with ice to the top of the bucket then mix their resin the cold ice keeps it soft longer thats what I was told
Yes. Resin chemical reaction will not happen below 60degrees
Yes, it saves time. However....adding silica to the resin *before* adding hardener will reduce the strength. Some of the resin that gets absorbed by the silica will not get the proper amount of hardener no matter how long or how well you mix it. As noted by Tony, it is better to chill the ingredients to buy some time rather than premix the filler into the resin.
Huh ??? Think about your statement.
If resin doesn’t get enough hardener then the resin won’t cure properly. Improper catalyst percentage has no relation to strength. If something is catalyzed at 1% or 3% the strength is the same only the cure time is longer.
If your statement was true then polyester based putties that you can buy off the shelf premixed wouldn’t exist. When you buy polyester fairing putty (ie bondo, radius putty, Evercoat, core bonding putty) they don’t give you silica and resin and tell you to mix it yourself, it already comes premixed/thickened in the can.
@@boatcrafterscollective Understood. The premixes have accounted for the problem. But if doing it yourself, _WE_ have to account for the problem. It can be accounted for and it's not necessarily a deal breaker, but the effect is real. But don't trust me, I'm just some random dude on the internet. Research it yourself. I'll get you started, here's one from West epoxy: th-cam.com/video/GITtvAp20pg/w-d-xo.html
saltboatworks knows a thing or two about this resin and epoxy: th-cam.com/video/Y-Lsn4ZXtaI/w-d-xo.html
The nice folks at fiberglass supply: th-cam.com/video/wbc6AAL1sOM/w-d-xo.html
etc etc etc
Hello Rus, I really like your videos a lot.
About mixing fumed silica with polyester : how do you avoid the mix to start dripping when making vertical filets? I also work in a hot climate, my filets keep on collapsing however much silica I put in.
Appreciate the feedback
Alex
You just have to keep adding silica till the resin mixture turns to putty.
Perfect, exactly what I needed! Thanks Russ!!!
PS: do you have a website or anywhere we can contact you direct? I have a stringer dilemma I would only trust your advice on. I have a 17" tall stringer that runs 48" from the transom then abruptly drops to 4" to make clearance for a fish box in the deck. But that step down is a SUPER weak point and you can see where that stringer busted. So I'm not really sure how to strengthen the crap out of it so that doesn't happen in the future, or maybe some other intuitive way to avoid having to step it down.
Can't believe how crappy the factory designed this boat and stringer system.
Instagram is best to reach me. I’m starting a discussion group soon on Facebook so people can ask me questions directly. I’ve been getting a lot of followers asking me questions during the day and I want to try to answer everyone but it’s a lot of time to reply to everyone and hard to give good advice without seeing details. I can’t get work done if I’m answering questions all day 😃
@@boatcrafterscollective hahaha. I understand completely. Lol
Any alternative to the Silica?
depends on the resin but you can use cotton flock or talc but I've never really tried those before. Fumed Silica is the best and easiest for this
I am looking to make this into a puddy so that I can make prototypes. does anyone have any solution?
Not sure what you’re asking
Sir how can I Thicks epoxy Hardener can u help me ?
Add silica
Sir thanks for Answering pls help me other which silico use me for Epoxy Hardener Thicks 🙏
Sir I m waiting for your Answer pls 🙏
Fumed Silica
Thanks ❤️
Fumed silica isn’t much fun to get in your eyes either
Supa HOT lol.