Fiberglass & Resin backgrounds?

[JaredJ]

HA! I found it :

Custom Ecos

[Arizona Tropicals]

Originally Posted by Dendro Dave

Working with large amounts of fiberglass resin can be dangerous can it not? You need gloves, goggles a mask and no exposed skin ideally if I'm not mistaken. Small amounts for a model or something may not be much of an issue but I read up on this stuff and supposedly it can do some real damage if not handled properly. Just FYI for anyone who might try using large amounts for a viv and not be aware.

The fiberglass itself is the most annoying. Mat glass gets everywhere, weaves in to your cloths, in your skin, etc. When I worked in fiberglass you could see it in the seats of my car, the carpet, my cloths. I had to buy a new washing machine when I quit because it was in the machine and would transfer to my non work cloths. Woven is better but if your cutting it, it gets everywhere as well. The resin isn't so bad if handled properly, it has a very strong smell but that's about it unless you over mix it. To much catalyst and the resin will catch fire. That's how we used to get rid of excess resin and have a little fun doing it. We'd toss in a bunch of catalyst and watch it go up in flames.

[Dendro Dave]

So I know Ed or someone brought up an issue concerning fiberglass being used in zoo exhibits which was as the exhibit endures wear the fiberglass can become exposed and endanger the animals and the custodians....So what measures can we take with the resin to prevent such things, or is the resin enough protection in itself?

[JaredJ]

I would think the resin would be protection enough, at least a couple coats anyway. Then with the final coat getting the soil mix.

[VivariumWorks]

I have extensive experience working with polyester (aka "fiberglass") resins for this application.

I see what you are talking about and yes it will work if applied properly. You don't even really need to use the glass matting. You would just coat the foam with the resin.

HOWEVER:

What you are talking about using is polyester resin. It is inexpensive, toxic, flammable, and the catalyst is methyl-ethyl-ketone (VERY VERY toxic). I have set fire to my grass by making too large of a batch (1/2 gallon) in my garage at 95 degrees F. Honestly, don't use it. Its not worth it. If you use too much catalyst it cures too fast, can catch fire and/or has extra methyl-ethyl-ketone that can leach out. If you use too little or its not warm enough it will never cure and ruin your design.

You MUST wear full protection. Goggles, full air mask rated for solvents, labcoat/disposable clothes, and have water available for immediate flushing of the skin.

Even when applied properly in the correct ratios it will still outgass like hell for at least a week. Even in the South Texas summer heat it will takes a week to fully outgass.

Styrene foams (like styrofoam or extruded polystyrene/blue down insulation foam) will be eaten away like Alien acid when polyester resins are applied to them. So if you must use great-stuff ONLY.

I use to use this material by brushing it over urethane foam and dusting on my material/dirt. Then adding another layer of polyester resin, followed by another layer of material. This trapped a layer of dirt/peat/whatever in between the polyester and made it erosion proof. Another method I used, once, was to mix in the dirt after the resin has been mixed with the catalyst, and then pasted it on. But it got so hot so quick that it just about burned me through the gloves.

Dude, it CAN be done, but polyester resin is best left for people who make boats.


NOW instead of using polyester resin (aka Fiberglass resin at homedepot/lowes) use a true epoxy. The kind I use and will be selling soon is from a company out of Corpus Christi called Dewey Supply. You have to Google them and call them up as they don't have a website. Ask for Epobond brand. And its not cheap. But its a much easier 1:1 ratio, it won't catch fire, its nowhere close to as toxic, smells MUCH less, and works better. It also works with caustic materials.
Something you can do is add DRY grout mix after you have mixed together the two epoxy parts. This will allow you to make a soupy/paste-like material that looks like rock but has the properties and hardness of epoxy. This won't work with polyester resin as it can not handle the caustic materials in the grout mix.

Your project sounds like it will be a great one, but you will likely either outright fail or have a much much harder time if you go cheep and use the polyester resin. Epoxy is THE only way to go in this hobby unless you really really know what your doing.

[JaredJ]

NOW instead of using polyester resin (aka Fiberglass resin at homedepot/lowes) use a true epoxy. The kind I use and will be selling soon is from a company out of Corpus Christi called Dewey Supply. You have to Google them and call them up as they don't have a website. Ask for Epobond brand. And its not cheap. But its a much easier 1:1 ratio, it won't catch fire, its nowhere close to as toxic, smells MUCH less, and works better. It also works with caustic materials.
Something you can do is add DRY grout mix after you have mixed together the two epoxy parts. This will allow you to make a soupy/paste-like material that looks like rock but has the properties and hardness of epoxy. This won't work with polyester resin as it can not handle the caustic materials in the grout mix.

Your project sounds like it will be a great one, but you will likely either outright fail or have a much much harder time if you go cheep and use the polyester resin. Epoxy is THE only way to go in this hobby unless you really really know what your doing.

This is exactly what I wanted to do. I have lots of experience with fiberglass and it's resins, at least from a hobby standpoint, and you're exactly right. I'm not really a fan of polyester resins but I was debating whether it would be easier or not. As far as foam, I was thinking more floral foam as the resin wouldn't eat that but I don't know, I'm still debating. I like your idea of using the epoxy with the grout because I do want some rocky looking areas.

Thanks for the input and keep it coming. It's definitely going to be a slow project as I really don't want to rush it. I have the tanks on the stand with the hood, I should get some pics up later after hurrricane Earl moves out.