Fiberglass not hardening

[wired]

I got some fiberglass resin and hardener from US Composites yesterday and I spent some time glassing in my stern foam boxes and sealing some wood for my stringer last last night. I went out this morning and the stuff still hadnt set up yet. I went by their recommended MEK catalyst charging rate which was 1/8 oz per pint of resin. Seemed light to me but that was their recommendation. Now Ive got a sticky mess. Is this stuff going to harden eventually or am I screwed?

 

[lockleark]

It will set up, sounds like you mixed alittle on the lite side. Depending on outside temp, I will mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of hardener per quart of resin(polyester, not sure with epoxy) for about 20 to 30 min. gel time. If i mix on the lite side to work an area longer, it most often is still tacky the next morning.

 

[teamhart2]

hit it with some heat, when its cooler out I use a big halogen shop light to keep it warm, itll set up good then, the sooner the better though

 

[JSmitty]

I had one piece do this to me. It was still sticky after 4 days. After some research, I just mixed another batch of epoxy with the appropriate resin/hardener ratio, spread it over the old layer, and it hardened the whole thing.

I always recommend buying the pumps. Once I bought the pumps it never happened again.

BTW, I tried the heat method that teamhart recommended and it didn't work for me. But give it a try first. Might save you some resin and weight.

 

[TimSki$]

Did you get their pump kit? I used their pump kit and that eliminated any potential harndening problems.

Like said before, put a little heat to it, that will help speed it up.

 

[Will30]

Just like the 2 above posts say it does take longer in cooler temps . I did some glassing on mine last night and some spots are still tacky . But its only 50 degs here right now and I didnt use as much hardener as usual because I was doing a bigger area and didnt want it to set up in the bowl . But dont worry it will eventually set up ....

 

[Jetmate]

Just like the 2 above posts say it does take longer in cooler temps . I did some glassing on mine last night and some spots are still tacky . But its only 50 degs here right now and I didnt use as much hardener as usual because I was doing a bigger area and didnt want it to set up in the bowl . But dont worry it will eventually set up ....

Yep X2, put some heat to it. I use a couple halogen work lights.

 

[wired]

I went down to Home Depot and bought a 250 watt heat lamp and let it cook the glass for a few hours. Hardened right up.