Using up old resin?

[matt167]

When I was restoring my grandfathers old boat, I bought 4 gallons of laminating resin from USC. I used 2.5 gallons of it, and still have one new unopened gallon that was stored in a cool dry place. I don't have any MEKP left. The resin might be 5ish years old

Can I mix this stuff 50/50 with some parts store resin to use it up? This is for my 8' drift pram that I'm finishing up just so it's done. I have leftover fiberglass supplies to use as well

 

[Scott Danforth]

mix a test batch first. it may not cure.

box store resin has wax in it

I had half a gallon of gel and about a gallon of resin that sat for 6 months and wouldn't cure properly...... so I offered them to Hephaestus in the form of a bonfire.....

 

[Chris1956]

What is the advantage to mixing it? Simply use the older stuff and then use the newer stuff, when you run out.

Resin lasts a long time, especially if unopened. Hardener is widely available.

 

[Chris1956]

I have had a little resin in a big can for years, and it still mixed and hardened just fine.

 

[matt167]

Read somewhere that older resin should be mixed with new, but I could test it to see if it kicks. I have surfacing wax as well.

 

[chevymaher]

Mine lasted a couple years. I used it doing bodywork after the boat was done. It warns you. It changes color gets dark.

 

[sphelps]

Just use it up on fillets .. Get some fresh hardener and do a small test batch .. If it cures use it on the fillets Then get some fresh for your layups ...

 

[matt167]

I'm going to try making fillets with PL adhesive. I have 1708 to use for tabbing. The bottom is already glassed from years prior. I do have cabosil that I found but I want to save that for my Chugger boat since it will be epoxy

 

[JASinIL2006]

Hmmm... I'd be concerned about the long cure time for PL adhesive fillets, not to mention concerns about layups not sticking to it. Don't recall hearing of anyone using that for fillets before.

 

[sphelps]

I agree .. I would not recommend using PL for fillets..

 

[matt167]

I read something on here about using PL. I'm trying to keep the cost down.. I'd guess kitty hair, or even thickened titebond III could work. I don't need very much. Just to get the glass to lay flat. The boat probably won't last very long, but it may or may not get used quite a bit if it proves useful/ stable.

 

[matt167]

I have started using short strand bondo glass for the filleting. Seems to be working good enough. I can throw a little wood flour in it if I need to but it seems workable out of the can

 

[froggy1150]

I read somewhere that someone used wood corner moulding. Don't know if it really worked.

 

[matt167]

I read somewhere that someone used wood corner moulding. Don't know if it really worked.

Probably would work fine for something small like I've got

 

[kcassells]

Just a fyi;
Wood flour absorbs moisture, use above waterline.
Pl takes 1-2 weeks to gas off before you can glass it, depends on temps.
Bongbo has talc in it that absorbs water.

 

[matt167]

I didn't use regular bondo. This is Bondo glass, short strand filler that is rated for marine use. it's runny but it's workable. It may have a little talc in it, but I'm not worried considering the boat it's going on. I'm bound to outgrow an 8' boat, even as a small hand launch boat. If this floats solidly for a few years I'll be happy

I could whip up a 12' Chugger hull Jon boat ( no cabin ) very easilly to replace it.

 

[kcassells]

Like I said just a heads up. isall. Your boat dues whats yas wants.

 

[matt167]

yup, I know. But that's also why I'm saving the cabosil for the big boat, and building that one with Epoxy. So that one will last.

However the big boat won't need half the filleting due to how it is designed with the interior structure.

 

[kcassells]

Ahhh life is good when ya have 2 boats!

 

[matt167]

3 actually, since I have the Starcraft Offshore V18 which I will have ready to launch in the spring. Bought it so I for sure had a boat for spring