How can I fix resin that won't harden?

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stmbtwle

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Building a new battery box, plywood coated with polyester resin. Apparently the weather was too cold or I didn't use enough catalyst or both. Anyway it won't gel.

Short of pitching the whole project and starting over, how can either get it off (it's soaked into the wood) or get it to harden?
 
How long? Have you tried heating it up? Are you sure you put the catalyst in? (I only ask because I've sworn that I did'nt forget the catalyst before only to later find an extra full bottle of catalyst that I shouldn't own.)

Acetone should take it off. I've never tried painting with peroxide to see if I could catalyze in place, but if the Acetone does not work well enough, you don't have anything to lose.

bp
 
you should be able to re-coat it with a slightly "hotter" batch of resin (a little more catalyst than your initial mix), providing the box and the resin/catalyst mix are both at least 70+ degrees(before starting). Mix the resin and catalyst SLOWLY and use a paint brush to recoat. Make sure the resin is finishing resin and not laminating. Do this around mid-day so there's plenty of time (temp.-wise) for it to set up and go off.
Buzz
 
Thanks guys... I think I'll try Surfer's solution; if I recall it's worked for me in the past. We SHOULD have some warmer weather in the works so I'll wait for that, mix up a hot batch and pray. If that fails I'll probably ditch the whole thing and start over. Plywood is cheap.
 
No reason it shouldn't work, Willie. Even a warmer temp. range such as 80* would be better.
Buzz
 
You're telling me it has been COLD in FLORIDA?? ;)
 
Well from OUR perspective it's cold. Maybe 60 in the garage where I'm trying to do the work. I realize that's shorts weather for you snowbirds.

I think I'll move the project out in the sun and see if that helps.
 
I'd start over. I've run across old catalyst that wouldn't work.

I only use epoxy now-a-days.
 
I'd scrape off any excess with a pitty knife first. Then brush on the fresh mix. The worst thing that can happen is it doesn't work, which from your post above you're already OK to accept.
 
I moved the project out into the sun, waited till noon, and coated it with a second coat of resin mixed a little "hot". Everything set up nicely.

Thanks for the help everyone!!!
 
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