Hardening Pepakura with Epoxy Resin

[MrMiniBeast]

Hi,
I have my helmet I made with cardstock paper using pepakura, and I want to harden it with fiberglass resin. However, in Ohio it is very cold and will be for a while, so I was thinking I may be able to use epoxy resin instead so I could use it in the cold. I was wondering if anybody has used this particular resin before: http://www.uscomposites.com/epoxy.html
If you have let me know how well it does in the cold (I'd use the fast hardener).
If you haven't but have any recommendations, please let me know.
Thanks.

 

[cavx]

Sounds similar to the stuff I was playing with a while back where in colder conditions, you might be able to increase the cat a touch to raise the exotherm. It does say up to 5 days and the frustrating part is that the product can remain tacky for that time making you think the stuff won't ever cure.

From the link: If air temperature get below 60 degrees, dry times can double from the times shown.

 

[blue2k]

I have used two part epoxy resin for pepakura, takes around 24 hours to dry. Leaves the cardstock feeling slightly "oily" to the touch. Does not interfere with body filler bonding. Cardstock feels like thin ABS once dried. Quite cool stuff, if slightly more expensive.

 

[MrMiniBeast]

Do you guys think this would be worth doing? I'm planning on eventually making a mold with it.

 

[blue2k]

I have no idea how you would make a mold with epoxy resin, but what I can tell you, is that this will cure a lot faster in a warm environment.

 

[ka5p3r]

you can use a two part resin like smooth cast 320 for smooth-on to do this but you have to work very fast because it will dry in about 2 to 5 minutes. after that you sand it and bondo it. i have done it on a few parts i did not have fiberglass to harden with

 

[cavx]

I have no idea how you would make a mold with epoxy resin, but what I can tell you, is that this will cure a lot faster in a warm environment.

Exactly. It needs heat to cure properly. This is why it sets harder/faster when poured thicker. When layering it on very thin like you would for a PEP project, the heat escapes fast so the resin remains slightly soft for several days. It will go hard over time, but takes a while. Pour the stuff into a container or mold of at least 1" thick, and the stuff sets like a brick within 24 hours.

You could make a 2 part mold from this stuff if you had to, but you would have to make sure there are absolutely no undercuts and even avoid vertical walls where possible.