Thinckened Resin, is it a problem?

[Maria CS20 104]

Resin and hardner mixing:  I went out to set rear bulkhead and got the hardner in the cup and began to add the resin.  Oooppps, I think, found that bottom of resin had thickened, sooooo I added the clear resin from the top 3/4 of the bottle to the hardner.  Will this make a difference?  Does not seem to be cooking off, but is it still about 65 degrees out side.  I did get really warm water and set the resin bottle inside to clear it and probably mix it.  Am I going to have to scrape out the fillet I just laid to fit the rear bulkhead or will it harden, haven't had this problem before but I laid off the boat for the last five months while grandson #2 had to come into this world at about 8 lbs, he is now about 4 months and beatutiful, as is his big brother who was with us at about 1 year when we started this project.  Both boys and Mom with us as their daddy is on a West Pac in Japan and elsewhere with the Navy.  Bring them home when he is gone, house is full with Ma-in-law living with us, she is really cool and a young 86, she say's pushing 90.  Please let me know

Jim

[Howard]

If I understand your question, you found your "not recently used" resin to be hard on the bottom (separated) and used a portion of it anyway. Later warmed it to blend it back together? It would seem to matter only if it actually is a case of separation of the components of the resin which are put back together by heat and mixing.

You might be the first person I've heard of who did this (used it before heating it to blend it back together). It may be that you will be the one to report back to the rest of us if it worked. I'm sure by now it has kicked......or not.

BTW, resin to hardener? Perhaps it makes no difference (other than force of habit), but I always measure the resin first then add the hardener.

[John Burritt]

To my knowledge, crystalized (white, cloudy) resin is the same as clear liquid resin.  Don't think there's any chemical separation, just a state change.  Mine usually crystalizes in the pump first, making it unusable; then the bottom of the jug, working up, depending on how cold, how long.  I've used clear resin from a partially crystalized jug with no problems.

[JeffM]

My latest order of resin was from a new supplier: smelled different, looked different, but seemed to work fine.  Reading about warming and melting crystallized resin led me to put a sample of the cloudy stuff into the microwave for a few seconds--cleared right up.  I, also, hope it was okay to use the crystallized stuff.  As long as the resin--crystallized or not--was homogeneous, I expect it will be fine.  I'm using fast hardener, and the mix clears as it warms up.

[Charlie Jones]

No, using the clear stuff on the top isn't a problem. Also, clearing the resin with heat makes it totally usable again. Not a problem . Which I didn't know until Graham told me

If you keep the resin warm, it won't do that- seems like cold is what causes it .

Jeff- a new suppler?? Other than Graham or from Graham? I haven't bought resin anywhere else in several years myself.

[Maria CS20 104]

Whatever happened it worked and the fillet is beautiful and hard.  Must just be a chaange of state.  I did note that the resin cleared just by putting in a pot of hot water from the sink and changing the water when it cooled, clear as water now.  Thanks for the input guys.  Will continue on the boat after church today setting seat stringers and pulling out the bracing on the seat bulkheads.  Lots of sanding to do as well today.  Hope to cut some cardboard templates for the seat siding as well and trace patterns on the ply to cut this week.

THanks Again

Jim