New "Super Resin" to Replace Fiberglass???

[SgtFang]

I'm just wondering who all would buy this if things work out.

One of the owners of a local resin company is bound and determined that I never buy supplyies from anyone else, and told me the other day that they could custom mix me a new urethane completely to my specifications. :eek

This is very early on, but I'm thinking of going back this week, and seeing what kind of arrangement we can come to.

They already make a black and clear urethane that's pretty close to indestructable, BUT, it takes approximately 14 - 16 hours between coats, or to demold, and it's expensive as hell, at around 135.00 per gallon. At a proper thickness, this stuff is at least as strong as the vinyl DP and Rubies use, but much easier to use. At 1/4", I'd pit it against any fan made fiberglass helmet.

When I meet with the guy, we'll be talking about how to bring the cure time down something more like 10 - 15 minutes, hopefully bringing the price down to more like 80.00 - 90.00 per gallon, keeping the mix as close to 50/50 as possible, etc.

If things work out, I'll have them make it pre-colored in the original black, white, red and maybe silver if it can be done.

What else would you guys want in the perfect prop-making resin?

-Sarge

 

[thorssoli]

What else would you guys want in the perfect prop-making resin?

-Sarge

It needs to be viscous enough to sit on vertical mold surfaces without pooling at the bottom and thin enough so as not to trap any bubbles and it has to be stronger than titanium and lighter than air and it'd be nice if it could be trained to clean up the shop and pour drinks when I'm done tinkering at the end of the day.

Let me know what you come up with. It sounds like you've got a good deal going so far.

 

[blufive]

Low odor.



I think you've covered about everything else.

 

[thorssoli]

Low odor.



I think you've covered about everything else.

Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.

 

[LeMarchand]

completely resistent to moisture contamination...that's what i hate about resin the most

and before you start *****ing about prices..... over here in the netherlands, a gallon of smooth-on resin costs us close to $160

 

[propsculptor]

I'm interested in trying it out ... and as far as the Price, it may be worth every penny...

Smooth-on on the other hand is Not worth it in my professional Opinion, I've been doing Special Make-up Effects, Props, and Prototypes for more than 19 years and Smooth-on has had disappointing results most of the time, as well as the fact their Tech guys didn't even know much about solving problems with their own materials!

As far as Materials go, keep in mind that Stronger Materials take longer to cure, the company I currently work for does a lot of Crystal-Clear Castings and the cure time is also slow, plus the Material needs to be heated AND pressurized, that's just the way it is and you do get what you pay for!

 

[SgtFang]

completely resistent to moisture contamination...that's what i hate about resin the most.

Well... I don't know about "completely" moisture resistant, but if I can get it to the level of SilPak SilPlastic, it would be pretty good- our old, secret underground lair over at All Artistries was constantly beseiged by moisture, but we had a decent dehumidifier and tended to use it up before it "could" go bad. I'd say just buy the amount you can use before it gets too contaminated. Maybe several 1 gallon kits that remain sealed till use, VS. one big kit that gets constantly opened and shut for several months?

and before you start *****ing about prices..... over here in the netherlands, a gallon of smooth-on resin costs us close to $160

Hehe, Smooth-On ain't exactly the cheapest supplier here in the States either, that's why I go with SilPak so far! :lol But... A sad fact we're all gonna have to face at the end of the day, is that aALL resin is, in some way, petroleum based, and it's only going to get more expensive in the next few years. I'm really hoping to lock in a good formula with this company soon, so that when prices increase, they won't be able to try to slip anything ridiculous by me and try to blame it all on just higher petroleum prices. If I get in with them now, I'll be able to keep an eye on their price increases VS, Gas prices, and be able to call "BS" if they get greedy and try to stick me (us) for too much.

-Sarge

 

[SgtFang]

I'm interested in trying it out ... and as far as the Price, it may be worth every penny...

Smooth-on on the other hand is Not worth it in my professional Opinion, I've been doing Special Make-up Effects, Props, and Prototypes for more than 19 years and Smooth-on has had disappointing results most of the time, as well as the fact their Tech guys didn't even know much about solving problems with their own materials!

As far as Materials go, keep in mind that Stronger Materials take longer to cure, the company I currently work for does a lot of Crystal-Clear Castings and the cure time is also slow, plus the Material needs to be heated AND pressurized, that's just the way it is and you do get what you pay for!

Yeah, Smooth-On is about the 2nd most expensive resin on the Continent, behind "Alumilite". They've got good PR, and seem the be one of the first companies new resin slingers hear about.

There are plenty of companies out there who make resins just as good for a whole lot less. SilPak being my favorite for the last 10 years. (5 gallon kit of SilPlastic for $355.00 incl. S/H) But there's also Gersan Industries, in the midwest for comparable prices too.

As far as the cure times, I'm no urethane chemist myself, but he did tell me they'd reformulated the black stuff to cure in 5 minutes in the past w/ no loss in the strength, but I'll put him on the spot about that when I talk to him again.

-Sarge