That sounds like the right stuff - these were waxy feeling. Since these would be in a room - UV light would be minimal. Any thoughts on the process? If I build up a styrofoam base and cover with small pieces of fiberglass cloth - will that work? That's what I'd do with fake rocks but I'd end up painting those. I'm wondering if I can just do it without painting it. Maybe a clear coat as another post suggested.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I saw the notification after mid-night last night.
If you use styrofoam, test a small bit with some resin because sometimes the glass resin eats the foam. Not that it will matter too much here. In fact that may even work in your favor as you will need to remove the foam later anyway. If any sticks, hit with acetone and it melt right off.
With fibre glass, the panel needs only be a few mm thick. This will depend on the weight of the matting used. The cheapest stuff is the chopped mat. The best matting is a woven material and it does not break up like the chopped mat. The chopped matting is easier to work into odd shapes, but the stuff is nasty, itchy and generally messy unless you are experienced in fibreglass. The woven matting costs a bit more, but so much less painful to work, especially on big sheet projects.
I would suggest watching a heap of YouTube videos on this first. You will see many differing opinions, but in the end, the strongest fibreglass is the one that has full saturation with the minimal amount of resin.
The way it works is that the resin dissolves the glass fibres in the matting when it sets, the fibres provide reinforcement. Over saturation leads to brittle parts. Under saturation will crack or leave glass exposed. None is desireable. On their own, both the matting and resin are not strong, but once combined correctly, they become very strong.
Fiberglassing is an art form for sure. Wear gloves and preparation is the key. You NEED your matting cut to size BEFORE you start any resin work. Only mix the amount of resin you can work. The stuff is exothermic, so in a colder climate, you need more kicker. Here where I live, where it reached 114F (the other day), mixing at 2% instead if 3% gives a slightly longer potlife.
The beauty of what you are doing here is that you can add lumps and bumps later. The glass will stick to itself well.
Good luck.