Epoxy resin has a variety of positive benefits when used for your DIY projects. Unfortunately, there are also two major drawbacks: this type of resin costs quite a bit and it has to be blended precisely to get the best results. If you are a beginner, this could pose a problem, and looking for an alternative might be a better option. This is where polyester resin comes in, we will be getting into all the interesting facts about poly resins. The article will also deal with what to consider when purchasing good quality polyester resin and we will be measuring it up against epoxy resin.

A Closer Look at Polyester Resin

What is poly resin? Poly resins are substances that can be used in a variety of ways including in the building of boats, the manufacture of different parts in model making, or in the production of ponds and swimming pools. Poly resins can also be used to create fiber composites, also recognized as a Duroplaste. These are different from thermoplastics because it is not pliable, neither can it be welded. There are two main categories for polyester resins, slow curing, and fast curing. Also, there are many curing stages in-between. This will in turn affect the mechanical and chemical properties of the final project because it impacts the cross-linking process while curing.

Properties of Poly Resins

Polyester resin is considered a synthetic resin and can have many different properties, depending on the application and types of filling agents. Color additives can also affect the outcome. You can read further under the pros of poly resins to discover more poly resin advantages. However, one of the more common properties is its ability to bond with glass fibers, as the polyester resin has a high saturation effect. Once a piece has fully cured, it becomes water and weather resistant and can also resist aqueous salt solutions and weaker non-oxidizing acids.

Note: There are also food-grade poly resins available, but always check with the manufacturer or read the technical datasheet to see if it does have this ability. The food-safe polyester resin should not produce any toxic materials and should not alter the taste of food.

 

Polyester Resin Applications

There are many applications, from creating molds to casting in molds, in building boats to casting gutters and bumpers. Poly resins are great for repairing plastic components. The clear polyester resin is used in Jacuzzis, ponds, swimming pools, and other outdoor applications. Other applications include:

• Homebuilding or construction materials
• Used in aircraft, vehicles, and the marine industry
• Packaging material
• Used in appliances
• In the manufacture of furniture, especially outdoor items
• Composite materials, for example, fiberglass resin

Epoxy Resin or Polyester Resin: What is Best?

Epoxy resin is best at resisting peeling, wearing, and cracking. Also, it is corrosion resistant and can also withstand environmental and chemical deterioration. Polyester resin is less durable than epoxy resin and is better suited for short-term fixes. The epoxy also costs more than the poly resins because of its ultimate durability and formulation prerequisites. Since we are dealing with Polyester resin, let us now have a closer look at some pros and cons:

Best Polyester Resin for your Projects

Overall Best Polyester Resin: BONDO 3M Fiberglass Resin

No matter what kind of repair or rebuilding project you are doing, this polyester resin by Bondo offers the ideal solution. This resin can be used alone for resurfacing as a sealer. This works very well over old wood or damaged surfaces. It can also be utilized alongside fiberglass to create rigid structures.

The Best Kit for Polyester Resin: POLYMER PLANET Fiberglass Repair Kit

If you are after a complete kit that contains everything you need for getting started with polyester resin work, then this option by Polymer Planet would be the best bet. This resin kit contains a gallon of resin with sufficient hardener, as well as a fiberglass mat. There is enough material here to work over a large surface area.

Best Fiberglass Cloth: BONDO 3M Fiberglass Cloth

Working with polyester resin will require a quality fiberglass cloth for best results. This 3M fiberglass cloth by Bondo offers just the right qualities for great performance. There are interlocking strands on the fiberglass which help to cover up holes effectively. This also makes the fiberglass easier to cut down to size with scissors and can be used on all kinds of projects.

 

What to Consider when Purchasing Polyester Resin

Depending on your project, it is a good idea to know what to look out for when buying poly resins.

• Always go for reputable, well-known, and reliable manufacturers. It does not pay to go for the cheapest option, as the final result may not cure correctly, and your project will be ruined.
• When it comes to mold making and laminating, the glass fiber mats come in varying thicknesses. Also, there many different polyester resin products and it can be overly complicating. It is best to do a bit of research on the subject, especially if you are a beginner. Inform yourself, this will pay off in the end

What Materials are Needed for Application

What you need will depend on what you are doing, but the basic supplies include the following. We will also have a look at how to handle polyester resin, laminating, and creating a negative mold using polyester resin.

Materials needed:

• Suitable Polyester resin
• May need priming wax, this is for porous surfaces
• Acetone
• Glass fiber mats, you might need a variety of thicknesses
• Soft brush or sponge
• Film release agent
• Plastic spatula
• Digital scale
• Venting Roller
• Gelcoat / fine layer resin
• Protective gloves
• Color pigment/s
• A knife and scissors
• Single-dose syringe
• Respirator mask
• Putty
• Measuring cup
• Stirring sticks
• Plastic wedge

Gather all the materials before you begin working, you want everything at hand when you are busy with the resin.

 

 

How to Handle your Polyester Resin

• Make sure the surface you are working with is clean, remove any dirt, grease, or dust
• Sand the surface and clean off any grease with acetone
• If using a mold, apply a release agent, which will aid in the removal of the resin casting

• On a porous surface, like wood, apply a layer of primer wax
• Blend your two-part polyester resin thoroughly. Rather start with a smaller batch, make up an amount that can be used in about 15 minutes, as it will begin the harden. However, this all depends on the amount of hardener used
• To get the correct amount of resin needed, you can weigh the resin and hardener or calculate the amount. Mix thoroughly and scrape the sides and the bottom of your container to blend properly. Pour from one container to a different one, do this a few times to ensure everything is thoroughly blended. Also known as repotting
• Apply the resin

The entire process depends on the application, so we are going to now have a look at laminating and creating a mold. Molds come in both positive and negative forms, negative molds are great for things like model making or car body parts. Positive molds are used more for pond and swimming pool manufacturing.

 

 

Polyester Resin and Laminating

• The surface you are repairing, or laminating should first be prepared and cleaned
• Apply a layer of polyester resin onto the surface or substrate
• Take your prepared glass fiber mat and lay it on top of the resin
• You can use a brush on the fiberglass mat, a roller will also work
• You can get cut or frayed glass fiber mats, the frayed option works better when dealing with overlaps
• Apply a second coat of resin, the polyester fiberglass resin will be pliable and can be formed
• Make sure that while you are applying the resin, no glittery or white areas remain. This means there is either not enough or too much resin
• Once the entire surface is covered by fiberglass resin, you can then remove any bubbles using the brush or roller. If you are busy with a fairly large area, you can use a specialized ventilation roller.
• After everything has dried properly, you can paint a topcoat of polyester resin. This will weatherproof the area. First, you will need to do a bit of sanding before painting. During this step, you can also add color pigment to the resin
• As soon as you are done, you will need to clean your work tools. Some resin would have remained on the surface of your tools, so remove as soon as possible with some acetone. If the resin dries, the only way you can remove it is if you sand it off

Creating a Mold with Clear Polyester Resin

• Ensure your master mold is clean and smooth, you do not want any corners or overhangs. Doing this now will ensure less work later with extra milling and grinding during finishing
• Seal any joints with plasticine, press pieces in, and remove excess with a knife
• Next, apply some release wax and release agent
• Apply the Gelcoat in a single direction to avoid the presence of air
• Put on the glass fiber mat and then apply the polyester resin
• Allow to gel slightly. You can test by seeing if it still pulls any threads
• Carry on doing layer by layer while each coat is still wet
• Finally, let the mold completely harden and cure
• Remove the mold with the plastic wedge

Polyester Resin and Curing

The curing time for the polyester resin is mainly dependent on the product, but also a few other things. You can have a look at the manufacturers’ datasheet, which should come with the product you bought.

Other factors affecting the curing time include:

• The environment and temperature
• Shape and size of the project

Most synthetic resins available fully cure at 20°C to 25°C, but others need higher temperatures and, these are treated with heat. Also known as tempering.

Tempering Process

The polyester resin goes through a chemical process when curing, becoming thicker until it achieves a gelling point. The resin then becomes fully hard or completely cures. When higher temperatures are produced, the pot time or working time is reduced. This is because the resin is less viscous. In cooler temperatures, the working and curing time are increased, sometimes up to seven days.

Note: When a focused and even heat is applied, this can advance the composition to augment the mechanical properties. When applying this tempering process, you should remove any air bubbles that form. This is to inhibit any weakening in the final structure.

Including an Inhibitor

If you are looking to increase your processing time, adding an inhibitor is one way of doing this. These chemical compounds will then set back the process of curing. This is especially helpful if you are working with a substantial amount of polyester resin. How many inhibitors should you add? The general rule is if you include 0.2% of inhibitor, you will be doubling your processing time. Add 0.5% and it increases. We do not recommend adding the inhibitor to the gelcoat, as it may affect its structure.

Adding Color to Polyester Resin

Polyester resin can be colored just like epoxy resin but be mindful, as the colors can affect the structure of the final finish. Synthetic resins involve a delicate balance of hardener and resin. By including other elements, could upset this balance and create changes in the structure and appearance of the resin.

In other words, when adding color, these will influence the resin viscosity, which then affects the process of curing. Therefore, always make sure you use suitable color elements, specifically designed color pigments and pastes for polyester resin. Also, in most cases, the original color might differ from the color in the resin once it has cured. So, to achieve the results you want, it might be necessary to carry out a few test samples before heading off to your main project. This might sound tedious, but it will save money and time.

Three ways to add your color:

• Dumping
• Stir the color in
• Slow dripping

Take note when the resin viscosity changes, this might be a bit difficult at first but with experience, you should get it right. When adding color to more viscous resin, you will find it difficult to blend the color uniformly. Also, if the resin is too thin, the color will form streaks.

Safety Precautions when Working with Polyester Resin

The polyester resin in its liquid form is toxic, so taking some precautions are necessary. Make sure your workspace is well-ventilated, or even better work outside. Wear a respirator mask, protective eyewear, gloves, and clothing. Your skin should never come into direct contact with the resin.

Do not work in living spaces like the living room, as the resin gives off toxic fumes during the curing process. Do not work with resin near an open fire or smoke while working. Try to avoid getting any polyester resin on surfaces you are not working on, as it is difficult to remove once cured. Lay some newspaper around your workspace to prevent this. However, if the resin has not cured yet and you act quickly, you can remove it with acetone. Unfortunately, the resin cannot be removed if it lands on a porous surface.

Note: If you are using a cobalt accelerator and ketone peroxide during cold curing, always add the two elements one at a time. Never add them and blend at the same time, as it will cause deflagration.

Storing Polyester Resin

Once you are done working, close the resin containers and store them in a cool dark place. Store the resin in its original container, do not place it in a new one. This should help keep the resin for at least six months if at room temperature. Some products like MEKP hardeners need to be used soon, as it could begin to absorb water. This, in turn, could affect the structure of the top layers once applied.

A few Tips when Using Polyester Resin

• Those just starting with resins may find polyester resin easier to blend and cheaper to buy. Although, safety must be taken into account
• When working with polyester resin castings and there are seams or noses, use a sharp tool like a knife or a file to remove. There are also different saws you can use, but wear a respirator and work in a well-ventilated space, as fumes are produced due to the friction
• You can use a release agent on surrounding surfaces when working with polyester resin. This makes it easier to remove any spots when you are done
• Right-angles are never good when using polyester resin, as it forms a weak spot. To prevent this issue, you should try using a hollow trowel
• Apply a protective layer over your cured resin to make it weatherproof and resistant to UV light. Can also protect the resin against things like chlorinated water in pools
• During the curing process, protect your project from UV light exposure. This could damage the structure and ruin the finish
• When using polyester resin over a larger area, you will have a longer processing time, as it does not heat as quickly. To make it easy to mix the resin and hardener, use a flat broad tub or pour the already mixed resin into the tub for a better mixing process

Questions and Answers

Is Polyester Resin Combustible?

Yes, they are flammable with a flashpoint of 32° (90°F), only if it has a styrene monomer. Other resins that have methyl methacrylate monomer tend to have lower lash points, all depending on how much there is present. There is a chemical reaction between the resin and hardener during the curing process. This is called an exothermic reaction. If this reaction becomes uncontrollable, it can start to foam and give off smoke and noxious gases. It could produce enough heat to melt the container it is in and can even trigger nearby items to ignite.

What are the Uses for Polyester Resin?

Polyester resins can be used as a bulk molding compound, in sheet molding, and as the toner of a laser printer to name a few. First, what is poly resin? These are unsaturated synthetic resins formed by a reaction of polyhydric alcohols and organic acids. It can take many forms and is valuable in a variety of industries.

Is Polyester Resin the right Choice for my Project?

This will depend on the type of application; the polyester resin is perfect for minor repairs that are gel coated. When compared to epoxy resin, poly resins do appear to be less superior. It acts as a passable adhesive but does meet epoxy resin standards. Polyester resin has a weaker bond than epoxy, which makes epoxy a better choice for things like fiberglass resin repairs.

Are Poly Resins hazardous?

Yes, when working with polyester resin and you do not follow the prescribed safety procedures, it can cause problems. These include things like burns, skin, and allergic reactions. Breathing it in can also cause various health issues. The styrene and organic peroxides present can cause burns, and styrene is also considered a carcinogen. Always wear a respirator, protective goggles, and clothing. Also, work in a well-ventilated space.

How can you Identify Polyester Resin?

Mostly, the synthetic resins appear thick and are pale in color. The liquid is made up of polyester in a monomer, typically styrene. By adding styrene, sometimes up to 50%, aids in reducing the viscosity which can then be processed more easily.

What Differences are there between Polyester Resin and Fiberglass Resin?

Fiberglass is a type of glass mat and is obtainable in various structures. Polyester resin is used to saturate the mat or cloth, it then becomes polyester fiberglass resin. Epoxy resin can also be used in this way, but over time polyester resin has somehow gained the title of fiberglass resin.

Following our advice and keeping to the rules when using polyester resin, you will be able to construct amazing ideas and projects.