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Castin'craft clear resin. Help needed

Discussion in 'Habitat and Exhibit' started by Todd B, Jan 30, 2014.

  1. Jan 30, 2014 #1
    Todd B

    Todd B Active Member

    2,182
    0
    Fairland, Indiana
    Ok I bought this at Michaels for a water scene. I had a bottle of MEKP already so I opted not to buy the castin'craft hardener. Not sure if that is where my problem lies or not. Anyhow I mix it per the directions and it says 15 drops of catalyst per 1 oz of resin for 1/8" pours. Well it never completetly hardened. So I try again today doubling the catalyst. Still not looking promising. I am wondering who has used this with any luck? And can you pass along some advice on it? I did a search and see John Belluci reccommended it to someone and hoping he might chime in. I would appreciate any help I can get. If wore comes to worse I will pick up the name brand catalyst but what I read says MEKP. Not sure if the MEKP varies in different things or not.

    Todd B
     
  3. Jan 30, 2014 #2
    antlerman

    antlerman NTA Life Member #0118

    12,572
    6
    Todd, I don't know which catalyst your resin calls for, but some is MEKP and some Is MEK. It also is temperature sensitive somewhat. Works best in a warm environment. But even so, usually takes a good 24 hours for most stuff to thoroughly cure. Usually stuff comes as a kit. And for good reason. Some resins are volume measured and some are weight measured. 15 drops is pretty subjective in my way of thinking. A drop can be most any size you want depending upon the instrument used.
     

  5. Jan 30, 2014 #3
    Kerby Ross

    Kerby Ross KSU - Class of '83; U.S. Army - Infantry (83-92)

    7,264
    719
    Arizona
    I've used.........

    I've used the Castin' Craft clear resin and used the catalyst and never had a problem with it.

    :)

    Kerby...
     
  6. Jan 30, 2014 #4
    duxrus

    duxrus Active Member

    1,511
    4
    Tennessee
    I tried substituting their catalyst with another (I forgot to buy theirs ) and my outcome was similar to yours . When using theirs I have never had an issue. Lesson learned
     
  7. Jan 31, 2014 #5
    Todd B

    Todd B Active Member

    2,182
    0
    Fairland, Indiana
    Thanks guys. I figured it had to do with needing their catalyst. And Antlerman that is the kicker with them, It did not come as a kit. You get the resin for $32.00 but the catalyst is a seperate purchase of $6.99, thats why I just thought I would try use my catalyst I already had. Live and learn I suppose. I will just have to buy there catalyst. Maybe in my reading i just took the MEK as MeKP thinking it was the same. Thanks for the replies I appreciate it.
     
  8. Jan 31, 2014 #6
    AFWS

    AFWS The lost Robertson

    2,252
    0
    Arkansas
    Hmmmmm Hmmmmmm This is got me wondering,LOL Anybody know the difference between the castin craft clear resin from Hobby Lobby vs Michaels? Why does one comes with hardner and the other doesn't ,but yet it says the same thing on the can other than label color?
     
  9. Feb 3, 2014 #7
    Todd B

    Todd B Active Member

    2,182
    0
    Fairland, Indiana
    Ok you guys who had luck with the Castncraft resin. How did you make your splashes. I mixed it up and poured different splashes on aluminum foil. Well it stuck to the foil and will not seperate. So I am thinking waxed paper next. What did you all do? Need some advice before I waste anymore.
     
  10. Feb 3, 2014 #8
    antlerman

    antlerman NTA Life Member #0118

    12,572
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    Aluminum foil will work, but you have to pull it before it cures out completely. If you wait until it cures......it's stuck. Freezer paper works better imo.
     
  11. Feb 5, 2014 #9
    Todd B

    Todd B Active Member

    2,182
    0
    Fairland, Indiana
    i found that out about the foil> i did use plastic and it worked ok but will try wax paper or freezer paper.
     
  12. Feb 7, 2014 #10
    John C

    John C Well-Known Member

    16,772
    794
    Between South Africa and America.
    Get the synlube wax spray release to spray the foil with. I dont remember the number 501 0r 531. one is wax and the other is silicone. GET THE WAX!! Spray car wax might work?????

    I have used MEKP with the resin and it sets up fine. Just know you will need their little pricey can of spray to coat the set up resin as it will remain tacky if you dont!
     
  13. Feb 10, 2014 #11
    2wbdft

    2wbdft Member

    604
    0
    Used to use it quite a bit, never had an issue.


    Try the Johnsons paste wax. Rub on liberally, let dry, buff off excess. Then wrinkle the foil to your desired shapes... cured resin pop's right off.

    Its how i did the small splash/es here:
    http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,346414.0.html
     
  14. Apr 2, 2014 #12
    alan webfoot

    alan webfoot New Member

    2,821
    2
    Iv'e used hobby lobbys and it took a looong while to cure but no problems .I think it would stick to a greasy mallard.
     
  15. Apr 2, 2014 #13
    Gwendolyn01

    Gwendolyn01 Member

    49
    0
    Sanford
    Just FYI...castin craft's hardner is just MEKP, the same chemical all polyester resins are cured with. That being said, MEKP has a shelf life of about three months before it starts to breakdown. At Micheals, Hobby Lobby and most box stores you have no idea how long they've had it on the shelf.
     
  16. Apr 7, 2014 #14
    diggitydave1

    diggitydave1 Taxidermy and Golf, both will drive you Crazy!

    137
    0
    Cameron, North Carolina
    I perfer envirotex or how ever you spell it. You can make ripples with it and use the plastic light lenses for your splashes. Just them up with a heat gun bend how you want to and stick them in the water add a little enviro to them to make shine. Whala
     
  17. Apr 10, 2014 #15
    Todd B

    Todd B Active Member

    2,182
    0
    Fairland, Indiana
    Gwendolyn01,
    The MEKP that is used for the castincraft is different than that used for regular polyester resin used at say an auto body repair shop. I thought it would be the same but it did not cure. I bought the stuff for the castincraft and it worked just fine.
     
  18. Apr 17, 2014 #16
    Gwendolyn01

    Gwendolyn01 Member

    49
    0
    Sanford
    That's exactly my point...doesn't matter where you buy it, if it came off a shelf at a store, it has the potential to be out of date....or for that matter if you have had it sitting around your shop for a long time. The only thing "Castin craft catalyst" has in is methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (mekp) and Dimethyl Phthalate which is a plasticizer(adds flexibility) and does not cause the resin to set.