My first foray into the wonderful World of Epoxy Resin!!!
Built my little sub a while back, and it came out quite nice for a reall el cheapo kit, so it sat on the shelf for a while, and I kpet looking at it, and an idea started to form.
Could I do a little dio with the sub? But maybe have it actually submerged?
I've done water, via loo paper and pva, but that would not work for this.
I've done water via the gel type materials, but that would not be suitable either, I'd need a lot and its not cheap.
Started wtaching YT vids on epoxy resin..... so we know where this is going, right?
My plan is to have the little sub in a sort of rectangle shape, with it submeged, maybe with its periscope just above the waterline.
I want to set it in epoxy resin, but you need to do it in layers, so its needs to be planned well.
I want the bottom to be the seabed, with rocks, etc and a darker colour than the sea.
Some materials were bought....
Could not quite find the exact size shape container I wanted (using silicone mould) but this small bread loaf tin shaped one might work?
Got some resin and harderner (1:1 mix).
Got some colours to add.....
Few pieces were placed.... and the first layer mixed and colour added....
Dry fit to make sure the sub fits, it will not be on the bottom, it will (hopefully) be suspended mid water or near the top...
Then there was no more prevaricating, it was time for the first pour, lots of stirring/mixing..... colour added...... then it was carefully poured in and left to set.
This is my first attempt, so i fully expect to cock it up at some point, and also deliberately used a cheap model, and cheap materials, etc, as it will be a learning process for me, to see how this epoxy mallarkey all works. I'm gonna leave it overnight and then it will get another layer (slightly thicker) of nearly clear, slightly blue resin, then the sub will be inserted on the next layer, then hopefully the final layer will complete the build. I might try and introduce some waves into the final layer too!
Getting rid of bubbles is interesting, various methods noted, eg: gentle stirring to prevent bubble sin first place, apply gentle heat (via hot water bath or warming pad) to evaporate bubbles, gentle pricking of any large bubbles with a needle, etc, lastly apply direct heat via hair dryer, or other heat source, heat gun, small gas battle, etc!
Allowing time for each layer to set (between layers) also seems to be varied, depending on the mix used, 1:1, 1:2, etc, the temp of the area, the thickness of the layer, etc. My first layer was quite thin, so I'm leaving it overnight, but some peeps seem to only leave if 4-6 hours, some seem to leave it 24-48 hours, so we'll have to see how I get on. Its an interesting process though, and I can see how peeps can go down this rabbithole too, Lol!
Built my little sub a while back, and it came out quite nice for a reall el cheapo kit, so it sat on the shelf for a while, and I kpet looking at it, and an idea started to form.
Could I do a little dio with the sub? But maybe have it actually submerged?
I've done water, via loo paper and pva, but that would not work for this.
I've done water via the gel type materials, but that would not be suitable either, I'd need a lot and its not cheap.
Started wtaching YT vids on epoxy resin..... so we know where this is going, right?
My plan is to have the little sub in a sort of rectangle shape, with it submeged, maybe with its periscope just above the waterline.
I want to set it in epoxy resin, but you need to do it in layers, so its needs to be planned well.
I want the bottom to be the seabed, with rocks, etc and a darker colour than the sea.
Some materials were bought....
Could not quite find the exact size shape container I wanted (using silicone mould) but this small bread loaf tin shaped one might work?
Got some resin and harderner (1:1 mix).
Got some colours to add.....
Few pieces were placed.... and the first layer mixed and colour added....
Dry fit to make sure the sub fits, it will not be on the bottom, it will (hopefully) be suspended mid water or near the top...
Then there was no more prevaricating, it was time for the first pour, lots of stirring/mixing..... colour added...... then it was carefully poured in and left to set.
This is my first attempt, so i fully expect to cock it up at some point, and also deliberately used a cheap model, and cheap materials, etc, as it will be a learning process for me, to see how this epoxy mallarkey all works. I'm gonna leave it overnight and then it will get another layer (slightly thicker) of nearly clear, slightly blue resin, then the sub will be inserted on the next layer, then hopefully the final layer will complete the build. I might try and introduce some waves into the final layer too!
Getting rid of bubbles is interesting, various methods noted, eg: gentle stirring to prevent bubble sin first place, apply gentle heat (via hot water bath or warming pad) to evaporate bubbles, gentle pricking of any large bubbles with a needle, etc, lastly apply direct heat via hair dryer, or other heat source, heat gun, small gas battle, etc!
Allowing time for each layer to set (between layers) also seems to be varied, depending on the mix used, 1:1, 1:2, etc, the temp of the area, the thickness of the layer, etc. My first layer was quite thin, so I'm leaving it overnight, but some peeps seem to only leave if 4-6 hours, some seem to leave it 24-48 hours, so we'll have to see how I get on. Its an interesting process though, and I can see how peeps can go down this rabbithole too, Lol!
