Resin!!

[mafsu]

You are wrong in assuming that acrylic acid is the key ingredient. I use GT acid free on all my repairs and in my opinion it is the best resin out there. I have tried dozens of resins some with some without acrylic acid. I know others on this forum also swear by the GT resins.

A thinner resin is definitely easier to work with in cold temperatures.

[glassdoctor]

Cool, just wanted to make it clear that I use the resin because I like it, not because it's cheap or whatever...

mafsu, did someone say resin needs acid? My resin is acid free also to the best of my knowledge.

[glassdoctor]

Layne, imo... it's best to control the temp of the glass rather than have a bucket full of different resins. Cool the w/s in the summer, warm it in the winter... to a good "normal" working temp. That's the ideal thing to do.

But we know in reality it's generaly difficult to control this completely esp. when temps get extreme. Personally I use only two viscosities, and it's jsut a preference thing. The thicker resin pretty much sits until summer, and then I use it more. But I do the majority of my repairs with the same resin year round. I like it that way, as you get very comfortable with a particular resin and know how it flows, reacts, in whatever conditions. This is especially true if you control the temps of the glass the best you can.

If the glass is cold and I can't/don't want to warm it, then that's where I like a thin resin like Esprit. It's not a necessity, but just another "tool in the bag". I actually haven't used any Esprit this winter, and only used a little last winter.

IMO, there are several "top quality" resins. There is not one "best" brand. Among the good resins, it's personal preference... depends on your equipment and techinques. Two people might have different favorites between two equally good resins.

[glassdoctor]

[quote="Layne"] Am I wrong in assuming that it is the acrylic acid that is the primary ingredient to a successful repair?
quote]

Only the guys selling resin with acrylic acid say that.

A little birdie once told me the acid is really added to give it a shelf life, as the acid eventually breaks down the resin in the bottle. Makes sense if you are selling resin doesn't it?

Who can we believe? I know acid free resin works just fine, so apparently the acid is NOT necessary, and certainly not a key to good resin. But that is a popular opinion.

[mafsu]

Two other reasons I've heard about acid in resin. One from a company who has acid in their resin one who doesn't. I'll let you decide which is which. Neither reason came from my current supplier.

1. The acid etches the glass allowing for better adhesion

2. Acrylic acid was simply the best solution to cutting the resin to lower the viscosity

Not sure of my opinion on #2 as thick resin smells as bad or worse than the thin

I'm sure the acid doesn't help in adhesion as I've never had a failure with acid free. I also get a tighter bond on stars with the GT than anything else I have used.

[gold star wsr]

I also use acid free, for the simple reason that it is less caustic to my skin, and doesnt stink nearly as bad. I dont know why some resins have acid added, since it doesnt seem to be necessary to the quality of repairs. I use GT acid free, and experience nearly zero failures, and none of the ones that have failed over the years have not been because of the resin. The failures have been because of human error (yes, I am admitting it ... I do make mistakes). There are a number of fine resins out there. There are also inferior ones. This is one material you dont want to skimp on (although a high price doesnt always mean a better product). See what the seasoned pros here use, and go thou and do likewise.

[gold star wsr]

By the way... Delta's resins also rank at the top, along with several others... probably if I couldnt get GT for some reason, I would use delta.

[glassdoctor]

Who is Delta?




Never heard anyone say they don't like Delta's resins. I got my hands on a one shot the other day and did a couple repairs with it. They looked very good and was easy to work with. I would use it without hesitation.

[Layne]

I guess that clears things up a bit. The acid is not necessary to achieve a good repair. I think that I may try Delta and GT resins next.

[mafsu]

Delta is also my second choice. I like the magnibond a lot.