Fiberglass still tacky?

[NBraun]

Well tried to make a seat pan using fiberglass. Everything went well except i think i went a little too light on the hardener. I did something like four layers. Two layers of cut matt, and single layer of cloth, then a layer of cut peices of the cloth, then another whole layer of cloth. I layed it at 5 in 65 degree weather. Wasn't hard till the next morning. Now the top is still tacky and slight wet. The botton is silk smooth and dry, and the whole pan is very stiff and sturdy, its just tacky. I dabbed some hardener on my finger and rubbed it around but that hasn't really made a difference. I guess my question is, has this happend to any of you? Will it harden or do i need to do it over again?

 

[Vespa]

Infrared or heat Lamp? I had some Glass work I did on my boat floor years ago stay tacky for 12-14 hours. Stuck one of those cone shaped lights over it for several hours hard as a rock.

 

[NBraun]

Haven't tried that. Don't want it on unattended. If it hasn't hardend by tomorrow ill try that.

 

[Vespa]

Don't let it get too hot. Could get brittle.

 

[ronnie]

If you put any hardener(its really a catalyst, which speeds up the breakdown of the inhibitors in the resin that keep it from getting hard. Resin will eventually get hard on its own without any catalyst) it will get hard. Now if its just tacky, its probably the resin you are using. If its not finishing resin, resin with wax in it, then it will be tacky until you paint it. I wouldn't reccomend a heat lamp. I would just give it a day or so then hit it with some primer and sand it. Putting excess heat on it could cause blisters or delamenation from irregular curing. The only time we use heat lamp at our family boatyard is to dry an area out so we can fiberglass it.

Check your resin and see if its finishing resin or resin with wax (which rises to the surface and causes the surface to not be tacky).

 

[NBraun]

I just looked and it doesn't say anything about what kind of resin. Its just the bonda resin from advanced. But i think your right when you say the resin wasnt top quality. There were some small chunks and overall didn't seem great.

 

[J-Rod10]

Put some paint on it. Seal it off.

 

[ronnie]

It should be good, it does have a shelf life though. Hecne the chunks.. But give it a coat of paint and sand it down.. If not you will gum up sandpaper like a chump for a while till the tack wears off.

 

[Mr.Wilde]

un-waxed fiberglass resin dries tacky. its for building up thick layers. waxed resin dries to a smooth finish. you can use waxed to build up layers as well. i would mix up a little waxed stuff and brush on a coat.

 

[Ellwood]

Two waxed layers can de-laminate though... not terribly important on a seat, however I would not do it, it will weaken the seat. I make some surfboards on the side and do mold work for my marble shop. I use a wax solution to add to the laminating resin for the final sanding coat (hot coat). The solution is cheap and it is just styrene and wax...allows for a tack free and easy sanding layer. Take a look at fiberglassflorida.com. Another product I use is a yellow powder that is UV activated catalyst...just add some to the resin...lay up (indoors)...take out in the sun for 3-5 minutes and bring in and continue. You wont believe it...changed my life. On cloudy days you can dual catalyze with both liquid and powder to allow the part to cure more overnight.