Reddit reviews Clear Casting Resin With Catalyst 32 Ounce

plexiglass is a name brand of acrylic.

They're likely made with pourable resins: https://www.amazon.com/Environmental-Technology-34032-polyester-casting/dp/B0018N9E3M

I've never done micarta before, but have done quite a bit of digging on it since I want to do some eventually. There are two things that have popped up in my research that are key to making decent micarta:

1. The process: Building a press and form is pretty straight forward, the main thing to avoid is making scales that are too thin. In order to keep it clean and somewhat uniform, I plan to do something like in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHez490P7g4
   
   
2. Resin: The part that took some digging to find out is that you should not be using epoxy resin. Epoxy resin is difficult to finish on a grinder and to get to come out well. To get a smooth/clean finish the material must be saturated in the process, and I plan to use polyester casting resin: https://www.amazon.com/Environmental-Technology-34032-polyester-casting/dp/B0018N9E3M
   
   This video has a a pretty good process for using clear casting resins and how to finish them off: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt9ZLG4lJ8k
   
   

It's really quite easy.

• Silicone mold
  
• Resin
  
• Mix resin according to directions, pour first layer and let partially set (I didn't wait long enough on this batch and the CPU "sunk" too far).
  
• Set CPU on partially set resin
  
• Pour more resin over the top to desired thickness.
  
• Remove bubbles according to product directions (usually involves exhaling CO2 onto the resin).
  
• Post on /r/homelabsales
  
• Profit immensely
  
• Quit job

This should work and I think you can get smaller kits at acMoore or Michael's. They should also have dyes and pigments. Or you can buy professional resins at West marine but that's for larger projects. Epoxy resin or polyester resin.

This stuff works well

Clear Casting Resin With Catalyst 32 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018N9E3M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_-SaeBb61GB4JC


And a video demonstration..
https://youtu.be/gAccz-YvYTM

I'm not sure how much or where you buy your resin but I found 32 ounces of clear resin on Amazon for 30$ I imagine you could make several hundred wings with that much. Maybe the stuff you're using is too expensive. Entire Gunpla kits and conversions are typically cheaper than your 60-80 range. Granted they aren't clear resin but it is still an absurd price for much less product than these similar products offer while still being cheaper.

https://www.gk-hobby.com/categories/resin-kit

https://www.gk-hobby.com/categories/resin-conversion-kit

https://www.amazon.com/Clear-Casting-Resin-Catalyst-Ounce/dp/B0018N9E3M/ref=sr_1_5?crid=B4WBU0RWNUTV&keywords=clear%2Bresin&qid=1557025669&s=arts-crafts&sprefix=clear%2Bres%2Carts-crafts%2C246&sr=1-5&th=1

Thanks! Anyone can make it. You need the resin and catalyst, some small plastic measuring cups like these, something to stir it with like popsicle sticks, and some kind of mold to pour it in and let it harden. Can find the resin at craft stores like Michaels, the measuring cups at hardware stores by the paint, and I used a plastic cup for a mold then later used a miter saw to chop it into the block shape. Although I probably should have made some sort of square mold so that I wouldn't have to bother with cutting it. Next time. The resin & catalyst are pretty toxic so wear protection like rubber gloves and a respirator/mask. Safety glasses too. Use the mask when sanding too, don't breathe in the dust. Polished it with meguiars ultimate polishing compound.

Ya, it isn't all that soft. Pretty hard now. It was (when I took it out of the mold) pretty soft, definitely wasn't completely done curing. Got finger prints all over it. Hence the wetsanding. I used this resin.

There's two components to this. (1) two part casting resin in clear for the submerged part of it (2) liquid gel medium that you get in an art store for the waves (that's what the Liquitex products are for, and they're often used for model ship dioramas as well, at least in the old days to help make waves/sea bases)

And then there's this guy. http://forum.worldofwarships.com/index.php?/topic/13518-mind-blowing-diorama-of-the-wreck-of-the-akagi/

http://outoppie-dreamdioramas.blogspot.com/2012/06/sherman-off-taipan-dio-wreck.html

As for a clear casting resin you can use:
https://www.amazon.com/Environmental-Technology-34032-polyester-casting/dp/B0018N9E3M

Not terribly so

I like Oom-Moo 30 and SmoothCast or CastingClear for starters. That is if you are going for repeatable results.

You could also simply start with some plaster of paris or algaenate from your local art supply for single casts.

Good luck and post pics of your experience!

For us in the Northeast, cedar is the way to go. That's what it looks like they are using in that picture you provided.

Just keep in mind that while it is naturally insect repellent, it can turn gray and moldy if you don't take care of it. Hunker has a good article talking about how to protect your cedar.

It's also worth noting that cedar is naturally oily (hence cedar oil used in perfumes!) so it doesn't glue well unless you treat the areas to be glued with acetone or something like that. It also makes it a little tricky for finishing. If you want to epoxy it, you may want to consider clear casting resin.

Clear Casting Resin With Catalyst 32 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018N9E3M?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf