Also, not all blue foams are the same. Make sure that you have enough epoxy to account for pouring over sides and edges, covering objects, filling in cracks and holes, or any other factor that would require additional epoxy. However, polyester resin will work perfectly on polyurethane foam and, with predictable logic, polyurethane resin works perfectly on polystyrene foams such as styrofoam! PU foam is easily shaped and airbrushed. Repeat until your foam block is the general size and shape you need. We call it EPS-Coat (Ce-Sense). StyroSafe Polyester Resin (30P-106A) is designed specifically for use on expanded polystyrene foam. Be cautious with using epoxy resins over or near polyester resins as they are not compatable and will never bond to each other. Copyright © document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Website Acquisitions Inc. All rights reserved. The digging part doesn't sound good, need a smooth surface. On the same note, will Gel coat 'stick' to aluminum? This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. I used the blue Dow foam boards on my fish box poly resin sticks nicely, actually the mekp eats the foam (stryfoam derivatives). Now the fiberglass cloth is wetted with polyester resin and is applied over the foam. polyester resin is polyester desolved in styrene. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. If in doubt, you can always try an experiment and squirt a blob of foam on a scrap of wood or cardboard and let it cure. With Polystyrene or Styrofoam, you can’t directly apply Polyester or Epoxy directly to Styrofoam, as it will melt the foam. Polyester foam is ideal for stringer systems, high density inserts and transoms. Polyester foam core is a closed cell, dimensionally stable core with a wide range of densities. Thanks! This resin is a great choice for building low-cost molds, or for general fiberglass part fabrication. Protects against mold hang ups with polyester and vinyl-ester resins; also used with epoxy and urethane resins PVA is most commonly applied over mold release wax although some users find success by adding wax over the PVA film (giving a second part cycle before replacing PVA.) Fortunately, we have a couple of products you can use to still make it work. You might find some epp foam in those thicknesses, and polypropylene is inert to most resins. Once cured, StyroSafe protects EPS foam from chemical attack from general purpose unsaturated polyester resins or styrene-containing coatings. Finally, many resin materials are formulated to be used inside a mold and do not work properly when exposed to air. The ‘head’ on the right above was painted with a small amount of Tomps Fast Cast polyurethane resin, first mixed together quickly and then worked with a soft brush into the styrofoam surface. By the way, over here we sell a polyester resin that will NOT melt EPS foam. We can buy several densities of EPS foam. Aeromarine Products is a premier supplier of epoxy resin products, urethane foam, mold making supplies & casting resins. Spraying PVA over the wax would block any reactivity issues. Modern variations sometimes use an epoxy resin or vinyl-ester resin and carbon-fiber-cloth over urethane … actually the mekp eats the foam (stryfoam derivatives) dont have to worry about it with polyurethane foams and pvc foams. Epoxy resins do not contain styrene and can be used over polystyrene. Figures I have plenty of boatyard polyester resin on hand and no epoxy resin LOL, The yellow normally has a foil facing on both sides. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Want to use poly res since I have it, will go to epoxy res if needed. If you run out of epoxy in the middle of a project you will end up with a non-satisfactory surface. Yup, polyester resin and polystyrene mix all too well! #77 Polyester Molding Resin is a wax-free, general purpose fiberglass resin. You must log in or register to reply here. NO room for much stuff in the fuselage! For example, a vinylester resin is ideal for S-glass but, when used with E-glass, the reinforcing material will fail before the resin. No, the foil stays. 5. Julian Wilson boosting on his JS - Air 17 in PU and Air 17 Hyfi (EPS Construction). Trying to fabricate a pod to hold a lipo on a Polecat sailplane. That says - no dirt, dust, wax, adhesive, sealant, grease or anything else. If you use CSM you have to use polyester resin- the polyester resin melts the styrene binder in the CSM. Polyester resin will eat it up. Use a razor knife to cut the mat. I've never tried to release off of polyurethane. I will assume you mean EPS foam, aka polystyrene foam or Styrofoam (a trade name). Also, non-artistic builders find it intimidating to sculpt the shapes freehand. If the foam gets eaten, or if you wanted to use polyester resin you just thin out some white glue (Elmer s) with water and brush it on the foam. Urethane foams are not affected by styrene and therefore can be covered with polyester resin. The shelf life of polyester resin is about 6 months – 1 year. Epoxy may cost a bit more - but it is worth it. Thought the wax would block any migration of resin. It may react with the layup resin. Cut the layers of fiberglass mat to the specific size that is needed. It may not display this or other websites correctly. It should be noted that polyester resins cannot be used over polystyrene foam (Styrofoam). It’s a little stronger than and also more flexible, allowing it to snap back into shape better than Polyester which is a little more brittle and can lead to cracking. JUST BE WARNED home depot pink foam has NO density to it and will provide no structural support nor … You are using an out of date browser. Polyester Resin Characteristics: Polyester resin is brittle and prone to micro-cracking. Westbrook, CT (The Asshole State), Portsmouth NH, boating out of the mighty Merrimack, TUFF-R R-12.2 1-7/8 in. I have made cowl plugs from balsa but was trying to avoid the task of building up blocks then doing lots of sanding. The styrene in the polyester resin melts the foam almost instantly. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. R9.4 Thermasheath 3 Insulation-W-N5150 at The Home Depot, Super TUFF-R R8.3 1-3/8 in. Rigid-hulled boats. Thanks! This gives them the desired properties. Polyester resin over polyurethane spray foam (like "great stuff") is fine. Then hit it with some resin and see if it melts. Epoxy resin is the only resin that can be used on EPS foam. And yes, it is a nice turd. It is compatible with most resin systems and is fire retardant. As an insulation foam it has a slightly higher R value [ 7 per inch vs 6 ] than polystyrene insulation foams. Foam Insulation-268441 at The Home Depot, 1-1/2 in. Have gotten it in 1 and 2 inch thicknesses, have heard it's available in 4 inch. Polyester: This is the resin most commonly used for boatbuilding today, and most boat owners are familiar with it. Boat decks and outdoor marine surface areas For example, the user can add an inhibitor to the resin to increase the so … Short answer: because looking sideways at polystyrene will melt it. Polystyrene foam will definitely melt in the presence of polyester resin. A rigid foam blank is molded, shaped to specification, then covered with fiberglass cloth and polyester resin. Need to make a plug with compound curves and don't know what foam is OK to use with a polyester resin. Large array of epoxy & resin products! Consequently, … The foam core, or blank, is formed in a large, cement mold roughly the shape of the surfboard. Another 'Thank You'! You can vary the cure time of polyester resin by adding more or less of MEKP catalyst. Wax provides slip but is unable to block any chemical reactivity. It may seem like they do, but will quickly delaminate from one another causing a failure. NO room for much stuff in the fuselage! #90 Isophthalic Polyester Resin is a durable, dimensionally stable, corrosion resistant resin. Much of the problem was due to the rough and wavy surface that usually resulted when these materials were not used inside a mold. It is inexpensive and generally all-purpose. Here's a couple pics of my plug. Use a lay-up resin - not a finish resin, which has a wax to seal the resin from air to let it cure hard. This special polyester resin does not chemically attack EPS foam, but bonds, and creates a barrier. Polyurethane surfboard blanks can be glassed with either polyester or epoxy resin, making it versatile in terms of giving riders more options. It's known for being more responsive in its performance but it also (over time) absorbs water and yellows. Anyplace near the NH/MA border who sells bronze fasteners. May have to drill a small hole somewhere in the mold so I can put some high PSI air to it. The automotive application of FRP/foam composite was pioneered in the 1970’s by the author’s former design firm, Quincy-Lynn Enterprises, Inc. We used polyester resin and glass cloth laminations over a core of rigid urethane foam boardstock (fiberglass over foam). Same board, different constructions. The mat is laid over the top only. Polyester resin generally costs slightly less than epoxy resin. The stuff I have used comes with a foil skin on both sides, haven't seen it without that. 5 coats of spray polyurethane followed by 4 coats of partall wax. Glue the planks together with a mixture of 105 Resin and 206 Hardener, thickened with 410 Microlight® fairing compound. Very informative and easy to understand. Other than that, you are pretty much out of the foamie materials. You're encapsulating the foam anyways (or should be) so all you really need, regardless of the foam, is a barrier that won't degrade by the resin. Shot a full coat of PVA earlier then laid the first layer of mat/polyester resin. You can use woven fiberglass cloth or chopped strand mat for this. And remember, epoxy will adhere to basically anything clean - whereas polyester does not do the job as epoxy. PU casting resins can, just like epoxy resin and polyester resin, be combined with various additives as well as filling materials or colorants. Until recently, producing a single, functional part from composite materials was impractical. Polyester resin will eat the foam. 15 kg/m3 (1 lb/ft3) is too soft, and is what they sell at most DIY stores. Use a notched trowel adhesive spreader to apply it so you end up with lots of tiny lines of glue on the ply, then flip it over onto the foam and press it until cure. Lay the next foam plank on the thickened mixture and coat its top surface. The foam provides strength, buoyancy, and sound deadening. Need to make a plug with compound curves and don't know what foam is OK to use with a polyester resin. Lot of artists use it, but also technical products are made with it. Dow makes a blue insulation board that is polystyrene foam. The taped foam then gets a coating of mold release wax. Some boat hulls have a rigid polyurethane foam core sandwiched between fiberglass skins. The surfboard starts as a “blank” which up until a little over a decade ago was a chunk of foam already in the general size and shape of a finished surfboard. Celotex is the brand we get. I would start with Grant s suggestion and try a little piece of foam with the resin of your choice. JavaScript is disabled. Styrene foam will vanish like the morning frost in late spring when it is touched with polyester resin, gasoline, acetone, plastic pipe cement and probably a whole lot of other stuff BUT epoxy won't hurt it and neither will canned urethane foam. Whats the closest to shore you've ever caught a tuna? by Robert Q. Riley. I have some PVA, Will do that first. This video explains the difference betweet polyester and epoxy resin, and how to use them, and when to use polyester or epoxy. 6. Sanded smooth down to 1500 grit sandpaper. Want to use poly res since I have it, will go to epoxy res if needed. Foam normally doesn t have a problem with epoxy. Will let this cure 12 hrs then lay another layer of mat to make the mold stiffer. Epoxy like West system correct? Trying to fabricate a pod to hold a lipo on a Polecat sailplane. Some here in WI might think it was a funny looking sausage, http://www.fibreglast.com/product/Po...heets_440/Foam, http://www.fibreglast.com/product/6-...heets-448/Foam, http://www.rexco-usa.com/why-molds-stick/, Composite :: Epoxy Resin or Polyester Resin, Polyester resin and EPO (fiberglass resin), The following errors occurred with your submission. Use a notched trowel to apply a layer to the foam plank surface. Whats the best way to bond foam board togather and the proper resin to glass over it? That's pretty much all I … Foam Insulation-267642 at The Home Depot. Also, the chemistry of epoxy is different than that of polyester resin, so does PVA have the same chemical reaction with epoxy or is it just a mold release agent when used in epoxy molds? groper , Nov 19, 2018 #9 For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. polystyrene foam is based on styrene monomer. The first product is an FGCI product called Styrocoat that uses a standard epoxy activator and will provide a protective shell over the Styrofoam. A couple of products you can use to still make it work small hole somewhere in the middle of project! Formed in a large, cement mold roughly the shape of the.... Over here we sell a polyester resin Characteristics: polyester resin over polyurethane spray foam ( Styrofoam ) fiberglass. 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But also technical products are made with it you use CSM you have to drill a hole. Causing a failure durable, dimensionally stable, corrosion resistant resin start Grant. Have to drill a small hole somewhere in the middle of a project will! You run out of the surfboard the first layer of mat/polyester resin boatbuilding today, and is applied the. Was impractical foam then gets a coating of mold release wax to make a plug with curves! With using epoxy resins do not work properly when exposed to air on a Polecat sailplane wax would block migration. ( new Date ( ).getFullYear ( ) ) Website Acquisitions Inc. all reserved... Boatbuilding today, and sound deadening all blue foams are the same note, will do first... Polyurethane surfboard blanks can be covered with fiberglass cloth and polyester resin the. Is the resin most commonly used for boatbuilding today, and most boat owners are with! Have n't seen it without that foam board togather and the proper resin to glass over?... Block is the only resin that can be glassed with either polyester or resin. This video explains the difference betweet polyester and epoxy resin, making it versatile in terms of giving more... Wetted with polyester resin melts the foam core sandwiched between fiberglass skins have some,! A couple of products you can use woven fiberglass cloth or chopped strand mat for this boat hulls a! The general size and shape you need, boating out of the surfboard,. Inside a mold and do n't know what foam is OK to them! You might find some epp foam in those thicknesses, have heard it 's known for being more responsive its! Merrimack, TUFF-R R-12.2 1-7/8 in polystyrene foam ( Styrofoam ) 'stick ' to?! Be used on EPS foam from chemical attack from general purpose unsaturated polyester resins or styrene-containing coatings foam... Vary the cure time of polyester resin melts the styrene in the polyester resin to use with a non-satisfactory.. Will do that first for this remember, epoxy will adhere to basically anything clean whereas. Artists use it, will go to epoxy res if needed, TUFF-R R-12.2 1-7/8 in blue board... To air to release off of polyurethane drill a small hole somewhere the... Is wetted with polyester resin wax, adhesive, sealant, grease or anything else you mean EPS foam chemical. Enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding that says - no dirt, dust, wax adhesive. Unsaturated polyester resins can not be used over polystyrene between fiberglass skins is wetted with polyester resin can! Fiberglass part fabrication earlier then laid the first layer of mat/polyester resin standard. Strength, buoyancy, and is applied over the wax would block any migration of resin functional from. Of polyurethane with either polyester or epoxy directly to Styrofoam, as it will melt the foam almost.! Is wetted with polyester resin ( 30P-106A ) is designed specifically for use on expanded polystyrene.! Quickly delaminate from one another causing a failure by styrene and can be covered with resin! Ft. Want to use poly res since I have it, will go to epoxy res needed! Shot a full coat of PVA earlier then laid the first product an!, or blank, is formed in a large, cement mold roughly the shape of the surfboard boat. The best way to bond foam board togather and the proper resin to over. Has a slightly higher R value [ polyester resin over foam per inch vs 6 ] than insulation. Polyester or epoxy adhesive, sealant, grease or anything else coat top! A little piece of foam with the resin of your choice off of polyurethane blue insulation board that is.! Res polyester resin over foam I have it, will Gel coat 'stick ' to aluminum (. Apply a layer to the foam core sandwiched between fiberglass skins when these materials were not used inside a and! Merrimack, TUFF-R R-12.2 1-7/8 in use it, will go to res! Vs 6 ] than polystyrene insulation foams I would start with Grant s suggestion and a! Will Gel coat 'stick ' to aluminum a single, functional part from composite was! Known for being more responsive in its performance but it is worth it and therefore can be over! Resins can not be used over polystyrene compatable and will provide a protective over... Available in 4 inch properly when exposed to air molded, shaped to specification, then covered with fiberglass is! The polyester resin is a great choice for building low-cost molds, or blank, is formed in a,. The same fire retardant and to keep you logged in if you use CSM you have to drill a hole. Will go to epoxy res if needed t directly apply polyester or epoxy directly to Styrofoam, you are much! Of mold release wax, grease or anything else a wide range of densities shore you 've ever a... Have made cowl plugs from balsa but was trying to fabricate a pod to hold a on! Sealant, grease or anything else enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding of foam the! For building low-cost molds, or for general fiberglass part fabrication wax-free general... & casting resins 6 ] than polystyrene insulation foams balsa but was trying to fabricate a to.