You don't wait any time between layers.
1) Spread resin on the mold
2) Lay in the first layer of mat. Stipple with brush or use a resin
roller to push the mat into the resin until it is all wet.
3) Lay in the second layer of mat. Use brush or roller to push into
first layer. Brush on some additional resin as need (sparingly) to
fully wet second layer.
4) Lay in the final layer of cloth. Use brush or roller to push into
the second layer. You shouldn't need any additional resin for the last
layer, but brush in more if necessary.
In general, you want to use as little resin as possible to wet out the
mat/cloth. Resin doesn't add any strength, just weight and bulk. Use
firm pressure on the roller to push mat/cloth through the resin to
remove bubbles and ensure full saturation.
The most important thing is to remember that polyester resin cures much
faster in the cup than on a flat surface. It's always better to mix a
couple small batches then one large batch. At room temperature, it
takes a good half-hour before the resin in the mold will start to cure
enough to cause problems, so you've got time to mix, lay up and roll
each layer. Don't rush, but don't spend too much time on each layer.
Practice makes perfect.
Always cut all of the mat/cloth pieces that you'll need before mixing
any resin. Set the pieces in the dry mold and make sure they cover all
the flat surfaces. Leave about an inch extra over the edges of the
mold, no more, no less. Too much or too little excess will cause
problems. Also, don't try to use one piece to go around inside or
outside corners. Cut separate pieces that meet in the corner. When you
brush/roll the layer the fibers will meet in the corner and form a nice
edge. Always brush/roll towards the corner. The mat/cloth moves and
stretches in the direction of pressure.
Some people lay a wet "putty" of resin and a filler (loose fibers,
sawdust, kevlar pulp, etc) to reinforce the corner. But, since the
putty is concentrated it cures faster then the straight panels, so you
have to lay up mat/cloth over the puttied corners fast enough to prevent
them curing too early. You probably won't need putty for your turret
corners because they are fairly shallow, but it's a technique you'll
want to learn for more complicated molds. Practice makes perfect.
On 3/22/2015 10:26 PM, Doug Conn wrote:
How long should I wait in between successive layers of cloth ? I do
not want the first layer to completely cure before adding the next,
right ?
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