It's still fiberglass resin, but the way I've been seeing in videos lately they aren't using the jelly from what I've seen. Since I live more rurally, I took what I could and got some fiberglass resin jelly (frj since I'll be too lazy to type it soon.) I managed to use it today and here is the collective observations I made on top of the stuff I've seen you guys saying as of late.
To be perfectly honest, it works fine, but it's thicker. For those of you whom have ever had the pleasure of making a shell for your masks with the smooth on kits, this stuff acts exactly the same in thickness and how quick it cures. The difference? Well, it's frj and it's army green. So on that slight note, it's partially difficult to see if it's been mixed with the accelerator properly, although it does have a lovely red tint to it if you use enough.
It's also fairly forgiving in that you can put in less accelerator and work with it longer, but there are some things that are not fun about working with it. Many of you have already hit on this, but I'll list them out anyways.
This stuff reeks. It reeks bad. It literally has almost the same smell as clear cast, only x 100. Please where proper breathing gear when using it. I had the luxury of a barn outdoors in a constantly breezy area with a fan to help out, but most of you do not have this. Please wear it regardless. Your lungs will thank you as well as your sinuses when you continue to smell the stuff 10 minutes after you stopped working with it.
Wear gloves. I somehow got a hole in one of my gloves, and even though it was incredibly tiny I knew immediately I had one. I don't know if it's because of the cooler air or the resin, but there was a weird sensation I didn't like. I was quick to wash it off under a nearby water spigot. So please ensure you have a source of water to at least get it off your hands immediately.
It's sticky as heck. You will never let go of your brush because chances are it will get on your gloves and if you don't have another pair to change into, that sticky will transfer to everything. EVERYTHING.
Which brings me to my next point. Remove your gloves properly. Yes, there is a proper way to remove gloves. While it's pretty easy to figure out, there's a reason it exists. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4gyNAsPCbU This will make sure you don't get it on your skin when you remove your gloves later.
Let that sucker air out for a good long while. People have covered it takes a bit for it to gas out, and it's a good idea to give it at least 24 hours before you start working on it (sanding, dremeling, things of that nature.) Let that puppy breathe!
As mentioned, it's thick. There is no thinning it down. Somebody posted a way to use the resin by coating the outside and in of a base, and that's what I did for mine. It will need to be sanded a bit to bring the shape out.
Heat - it does not get hot when mixed, but it does produce a noticeable warmth. That's something to consider if you are using bizarre materials to put it on. (I don't know what they'd be, but somebody out there will inevitable try it.)
Use a separate stick to mix with, and another to brush it on with. Since it's so thick, you need something with a bit of strength to it to mix with. Paint sticks will work just fine. I used a larger one as that's what I had on hand in the barn, but the smaller ones would do just fine.
That being said. Would I use the stuff again? Yes. I actually do like it a lot. I love it a lot more than dealing with the smooth cast stuff. Why? I haven't a clue. Is it for everyone? Definitely not.
To be perfectly honest, it works fine, but it's thicker. For those of you whom have ever had the pleasure of making a shell for your masks with the smooth on kits, this stuff acts exactly the same in thickness and how quick it cures. The difference? Well, it's frj and it's army green. So on that slight note, it's partially difficult to see if it's been mixed with the accelerator properly, although it does have a lovely red tint to it if you use enough.
It's also fairly forgiving in that you can put in less accelerator and work with it longer, but there are some things that are not fun about working with it. Many of you have already hit on this, but I'll list them out anyways.
This stuff reeks. It reeks bad. It literally has almost the same smell as clear cast, only x 100. Please where proper breathing gear when using it. I had the luxury of a barn outdoors in a constantly breezy area with a fan to help out, but most of you do not have this. Please wear it regardless. Your lungs will thank you as well as your sinuses when you continue to smell the stuff 10 minutes after you stopped working with it.
Wear gloves. I somehow got a hole in one of my gloves, and even though it was incredibly tiny I knew immediately I had one. I don't know if it's because of the cooler air or the resin, but there was a weird sensation I didn't like. I was quick to wash it off under a nearby water spigot. So please ensure you have a source of water to at least get it off your hands immediately.
It's sticky as heck. You will never let go of your brush because chances are it will get on your gloves and if you don't have another pair to change into, that sticky will transfer to everything. EVERYTHING.
Which brings me to my next point. Remove your gloves properly. Yes, there is a proper way to remove gloves. While it's pretty easy to figure out, there's a reason it exists. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4gyNAsPCbU This will make sure you don't get it on your skin when you remove your gloves later.
Let that sucker air out for a good long while. People have covered it takes a bit for it to gas out, and it's a good idea to give it at least 24 hours before you start working on it (sanding, dremeling, things of that nature.) Let that puppy breathe!
As mentioned, it's thick. There is no thinning it down. Somebody posted a way to use the resin by coating the outside and in of a base, and that's what I did for mine. It will need to be sanded a bit to bring the shape out.
Heat - it does not get hot when mixed, but it does produce a noticeable warmth. That's something to consider if you are using bizarre materials to put it on. (I don't know what they'd be, but somebody out there will inevitable try it.)
Use a separate stick to mix with, and another to brush it on with. Since it's so thick, you need something with a bit of strength to it to mix with. Paint sticks will work just fine. I used a larger one as that's what I had on hand in the barn, but the smaller ones would do just fine.
That being said. Would I use the stuff again? Yes. I actually do like it a lot. I love it a lot more than dealing with the smooth cast stuff. Why? I haven't a clue. Is it for everyone? Definitely not.