Thickening Polyester with Silica question
 

Hi guys I have a question ..How bad did I screw up if I mixed silica and resin before adding the MEKP ? Its been 3 hours and doesn't seem to be hardening like previous batches that were mixed with hardener before mixing in the Silica .

I'm rebuilding a transom and using the thickened resin to glue in my core . I mixed 3 quart cups with Silica but did not add the MEKP until I was ready to use . Hope I didn't just screw up

I'd put some lamps on it to try to get it to kick. If you mixed it well enough it should kick eventually...

x2 put heat to it

do not put it in the microwave,

don't ask me how i know

thanks guys !it seems to be hardening up .. I was worried there for a little while .. I read somewhere after I did it to be sure to mix the resin and hardner first because the silica absorbs it and prevents an even cure .

That's right, but I do know of a few people that pre mix large batches without hardener and take out small batches as needed adding harder after with success.

I do not trust that method, but I have never tried it. I've just read that is not advisable.

I've mixed the silica in before the hardener without issue, but I noted the measurement before thickening. Then I added the amount of hardener based on that level not the level after thickening.

I mix the harder first then I add the silica. I do that because I never know when I have time to work on my boat and that resin may go bad before I use it.