Being new here, forgive me if this has been covered.
I’ve enjoyed using their product for a few years now and it’s come in quite handy for many things with great results- but:
Has anyone else had a problem where if you take a cast piece and then sand past the outer surface you seem to expose a ‘solvent’/substance, which stays rather oily and rejects a paint overcoat? I’ve followed mixing ratios with fresh products (old product let’s you know right away it doesn’t want to work anymore) and still come across this? I know there are other brands but I’m happy to be able to find Alumilite at more than one local outlet.
Is it me or is it inherent in this product line?
Thanks in advance,
Squiddly
I’ve had the same problem with Pour-A-Cast when it gets old, if you are having the same problem with Alumilite when it is fresh you need to find another resin. I just switched to Smooth on products and am very pleased with the results.
Here is a link to Smooth on: http://smooth-on.com/liqplas.htm
Look for a distributor in your area, I found one locally and purchase there.
tyamada
There are a lot of product choices here, which one do you use with best results?
Thanks
David
I currently use Smooth Cast 305 for resin, has a little longer working time. For Silicon Rubber I use the new formula Smooth Sil 910, the best I have used to date.
The Smooth Cast 3xx series of resins have different pot life and de-mould times, get what you think you need.
Since I’ve varied my methods in many ways over they years I had hoped it wasn’t ‘just me’ but then I also hoped there was an answer to continue using Alumiite. The convenience factor of picking it up in a store when needed factors strongly with me. I used to buy the largest size they offered thinking I always had a need and would use it up but then found that it contaminates and ages quickly in it’s container, well at least the resin component? But yes, I have the ‘problem’ with even the freshest of bottles, on first usage.
So thanks for the confirmation and I guess I’ll be scouring my area for another source. Of course I have found that as long as my ‘exposed’ portion of a casting is an attachment point, or hidden with something like a styrene overlay I can still use my cast pieces successfully- so I’ll still be getting some usage out of what I have now.
Thanks for the quick replies!
Squiddly
MrSquid2U:
All Urathane resins and silicon rubbers have a shelf life of about 6 months. I have used both beyond the shelf life but took chances. Resin is very sensitive to age and I try to buy just what I need at the time.
I’ve often wondered if the set up time of the resin has a relation to the shelf life of the resin. ALumilite which has a very quick set up time (two to three minutes)and a shelf life of 6 to 7 months. While standard fibreglass resin which has a set up of 3 to 12 hrs (depending on the mix ratio) usually has a shelf life of 3 to 5 years. just some thoughts
I have to many hit and misses with Alumilite. I did get some resin off of E-Bay from Freeman Supply and liked it rather well. Also, I keep my resin in the refrigirator. It seems to keep longer and I like the extra time I get for it to set up.
Grizz
Squiddly,
I know what you’re talking about. There’s a residual “goo” left over after the stuff has allegedly cured.
The solution is in the technique. You’re missing one of 2 things. Either 1) you haven’t mixed each component thoroughly before portioning out what you need to make your pour or 2) you have not completely mixed the 2 ingredients together. Either mistake will result in the same sort of phenomenon you’re describing.
The good news is that it’s easy to fix.
The bad news is that if you have any containers left where you’ve already experienced that problem, you may experience the same or other goofy results because unfortunately, now the chemicals in the mix are out of balance.
Denial. I am not!
Nelson
www.theengineerguy.com
This oily residue is called “leaching.” One of it’s causes is due to improper mixing either part A or B side of the resin. Also improper measuring equal parts of A or B. I’ve experienced this with various brands of polyurethane resin. I’ve since learned to shake the A and B components very well before combining them. Also, I use plastic graduated mixing cups for measuring equal parts and finally, I stir the combined components with plastic spoons. A side note is; moisture can be absorbed in wooden stir sticks and paper cups. This moisture can be introduced in the resin, causing cure inhibition. Hope this is helps!
I use a small digital scale. To measure the A and B. I make sure the resin I use can be make in this way.
Grizz