Thinning Fiberglass Resin?

[kimokalihi]

Is there any way I can thin out my fibgerglass resin?

I went to buy some at the auto body store and those assholes wanted $65 bucks a gallon there! I think on uscomposites they're like $25/gallon. But I didn't have time for shipping so I bought some shitty bondo brand resin at home depot for $35 bucks and it's really thick and I've used it before. It's a bitch to work with because it doesn't want to soak in very well.

[tard]

acetone

[Whiterabbit]

http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=41&

[kimokalihi]

Resin is very expensive there. I think I'm going to order some off uscomposites today.

[AzGrower]

Resin is very expensive there. I think I'm going to order some off uscomposites today.

Why not look locally at marine shops? the shipping on US Composites kills their discounted prices.

you can look for a product from Evercoat called Plastik Honey. Its used to thin out resin, filler, and glazes

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/518000-518999/518721_487_full.jpg

[bobditts]

I dont know why everyone has such a huge problem with bondo brand resin. Sure its not the best stuff out there but it still works just fine. If you dont plan on painting whatever it is you are glassing, then whats the big deal. I understand that its a little harder to work with, but for most people its readily available. I havent had any issues while working with it. Im sure we can all agree that we prefer the better stuff, but the bondo isnt all that horrible.

The trick I use to get it to soak properly is to dap the resin into the cloth/matting with a 2" or smaller paintbrush from harbor freight. Resin rollers work well too.

[kimokalihi]

Maybe I'll try to locate a place around here. All I know is that I tried the local auto body supply store and they wanted $65/gallon. For that price, I could use epoxy and not get that horrible smell stuck in my car.

[AzGrower]

Maybe I'll try to locate a place around here. All I know is that I tried the local auto body supply store and they wanted $65/gallon. For that price, I could use epoxy and not get that horrible smell stuck in my car.

$65 :o

The most I have paid from local suppliers is $25 gallon for standard laminating resin. Are you sure that was not some super structural grade resin?

[Kuztimrodder]

$65 :o

The most I have paid from local suppliers is $25 gallon for standard laminating resin. Are you sure that was not some super structural grade resin?

Some places are selling it for $95 per gallon. It went up big time in the past couple of years.

[Kuztimrodder]

Lacquer thinner works also...just make sure you stir til it's well blended, before adding MEKP.

[Kuztimrodder]

I dont know why everyone has such a huge problem with bondo brand resin. Sure its not the best stuff out there but it still works just fine. If you dont plan on painting whatever it is you are glassing, then whats the big deal. I understand that its a little harder to work with, but for most people its readily available. I havent had any issues while working with it. Im sure we can all agree that we prefer the better stuff, but the bondo isnt all that horrible.

The trick I use to get it to soak properly is to dap the resin into the cloth/matting with a 2" or smaller paintbrush from harbor freight. Resin rollers work well too.

I think you're confusing the resin with the filler. Bondo brand resin is fine. The filler SUCKS!!

[kimokalihi]

I'm sure. It's the only one they had. Don't remember what brand it was. It was white and the brand was written in blue and red letting I believe. I just can't think of the name right now.

What pisses me off about that place is they don't put prices on anything. As if anyone who goes in there can afford all of it no matter what, or they're just lazy. So I go up there and make myself look stupid and have to put it back because I don't have enough cash.

[AzGrower]

What city in Washington do you live?

[kimokalihi]

I live in Tenino, you're probably never heard of it lol. It's a small town near olympia and tumwater.

[bobditts]

so I bought some shitty bondo brand resin at home depot for $35 bucks and it's really thick and I've used it before. It's a bitch to work with because it doesn't want to soak in very well.

I think you're confusing the resin with the filler. Bondo brand resin is fine. The filler SUCKS!!

He mentioned the bondo brand resin, thats why I wrote that whole schpeal;)

[kimokalihi]

I've used both and didn't really like either. I bought some cheap 15 dollar filler at that same auto body place and it works better.

[AzGrower]

I live in Tenino, you're probably never heard of it lol. It's a small town near olympia and tumwater.

dexonline.com
search for "marine supply" in Olympia yielded about 10 hits on boat supply stores.
http://www.dexknows.com/search.ds

[kimokalihi]

Thank you very much. We'll see if I can go there tomorrow or thursday.

[dawgdan]

I dont know why everyone has such a huge problem with bondo brand resin. Sure its not the best stuff out there but it still works just fine. If you dont plan on painting whatever it is you are glassing, then whats the big deal. I understand that its a little harder to work with, but for most people its readily available. I havent had any issues while working with it. Im sure we can all agree that we prefer the better stuff, but the bondo isnt all that horrible.

The trick I use to get it to soak properly is to dap the resin into the cloth/matting with a 2" or smaller paintbrush from harbor freight. Resin rollers work well too.

I'd rather do it right from the start, especially when the price difference is minimal.

Have you tried the US Composites resins yet? 440 is way more liquid than the Bondo stuff.

[bobditts]

You make it sound like the bondo resin is completely wrong to use. Yes, there is better stuff out there. No I havent tried the US composites stuff because I can get better stuff (better than bondo brand) locally. And while I do prefer the better brands just like everyone else, sometimes it really doesnt matter. If I am making a FG enclosure that will be covered in vinyl or carpet, I have no problem using both bondo resin and body filler. The minute differences will not be seen. If Im making an enclosure that will be painted where every little flaw will be seen easily, youre darmn right Im going to use the good stuff.

[dawgdan]

I think it's more up to the person building the box. It's just easier to work with the higher-quality stuff. The end result may be the same, but for my sanity, I'll spend the extra few dollars. :)

[kimokalihi]

Bondo isn't even cheaper. It's like $37 bucks a gallon! On uscomposites.com 435 is $27.50 and 440 is $29.00 and shipping is $12.75. So if you buy the 435 it'll cost you $40 bucks shipped. You get better resin and you save gas money and tax(I think, can't remember if they charge tax on uscomposites.com).

[dawgdan]

I think it's funny that it baffles bobditts how people would want to buy the US Composites stuff, and it baffles me how people would want to buy the Bondo stuff. :)

[AzGrower]

I think it's funny that it baffles bobditts how people would want to buy the US Composites stuff,

It's due to a limited mental capacity :rolleyes:

[bobditts]

I think it's funny that it baffles bobditts how people would want to buy the US Composites stuff, and it baffles me how people would want to buy the Bondo stuff. :)

I think you left a word or two out in that statement.... but it doesnt baffle me at all. Im just saying the bondo resin isnt as bad as everyone says it is.

It's due to a limited mental capacity :rolleyes:

You still have issues. grow up

[GlasSman]

I think you left a word or two out in that statement.... but it doesnt baffle me at all. Im just saying the bondo resin isnt as bad as everyone says it is.



You still have issues. grow up

It's just that it's unreliable and you don't know how long it's been sitting on a truck baking at over 150 degrees Farenheit.

Combine the possible bake time with the fact that it's LOW GRADE resin....and you're increasing your risks of a possible disaster.

[GlasSman]

Blue is the highest grade resin.

Tan is the lowest grade....the slag from the pot if you will.:rolleyes:

[Aaron'z 2.5RS/WRX]

From what I understand it isn't the resin that goes "bad" it's the hardener, i've always been told that when I get resin with hardener, to test a small amount to make SURE it's going to cure...

I still remember when I was making a spare tire enclosure and the 2nd application of resin didn't cure for DAYS, it spent DAYS out in the sun, it finally cured..

[smooth72]

I dont know why everyone has such a huge problem with bondo brand resin. Sure its not the best stuff out there but it still works just fine. If you dont plan on painting whatever it is you are glassing, then whats the big deal. I understand that its a little harder to work with, but for most people its readily available. I havent had any issues while working with it. Im sure we can all agree that we prefer the better stuff, but the bondo isnt all that horrible.

The trick I use to get it to soak properly is to dap the resin into the cloth/matting with a 2" or smaller paintbrush from harbor freight. Resin rollers work well too.

I agree, I have used several different brands on my speaker box and my vettes
and have had good luck with Bondo.Yes you can tell some difference in better resin, just not sure I see enough to justify the difference in cost, but if it makes you more comfortable using the other brands, then that is what you need to do. I did paint this box and it was all done with Bondo.
That is what I love about forums it allows to gain information from many opions and then allows you to make your own decision.

Here is the rest of the write up, don't want to hijack thread.
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37729


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/smooth72/y4.jpg

[GlasSman]

From what I understand it isn't the resin that goes "bad" it's the hardener, i've always been told that when I get resin with hardener, to test a small amount to make SURE it's going to cure...

I still remember when I was making a spare tire enclosure and the 2nd application of resin didn't cure for DAYS, it spent DAYS out in the sun, it finally cured..


Well you know resin is going bad when it thickens.

Always store resin in a cool basement.

I've had resin that was over 1 year old that was useable...BUT and a big BUT.....I only use the HIGHEST grade resin so I always have that extra bit of shelf life.

[kimokalihi]

It's just that it's unreliable and you don't know how long it's been sitting on a truck baking at over 150 degrees Farenheit.

Combine the possible bake time with the fact that it's LOW GRADE resin....and you're increasing your risks of a possible disaster.

Hahaha! How did you wind up bringing back this 9 month old thread?

[jtroy]

Well you know resin is going bad when it thickens.

Always store resin in a cool basement.

I've had resin that was over 1 year old that was useable...BUT and a big BUT.....I only use the HIGHEST grade resin so I always have that extra bit of shelf life.


Using the highest grade of resin on a speakerbox is a waste of money and yields no tangible benifits

[GlasSman]

Hahaha! How did you wind up bringing back this 9 month old thread?

When you're viewing any thread look on the bottom of the page for similar threads.

I saw it....I put my 2 cents.

I felt it was needed.:blush: