I am looking for some suggestions as to where to get glass, resin, MEKP and the like. I have never done any work before but I am very interested in trying it out. I have read a good deal of how-to and general pamphlet type information. I just do not know of good sources for materials.
Any help would be appreciated greatly.
home depot and lowes have it--its ussually the cheaper stuff or any boater's place like boater's world has the good stuff. or an online supply site like selectproducts.com --- i believe thats the site
-------------
If you say "I already know how", don't ask me a single question.
No no no ... where are you located? If you are along the coastline of the US - or in a region that has lots of lakes, find an outfit that sells Boat building/repair supplies. I get all my stuff from LBI in Groton, CT ... I don't have their web address handy ... Google it. Their resin is ALWAYS fresh. It's also CHEAPER than the Polyester Resin that Home Depot sells. Also, the stuff that HD sells has WAX in it ... the presence of Wax means that you'll have to SAND between layers, which is no fun. If you don't sand between the layers, the layers could de-laminate ... that would be BAD.
Also - keep in mind that the "freshness'" is important. While resin needs a catalyst to really harden up quickly, it WILL harden all by itself, eventually. Now, Home Depot sells ALOT of building supplies ... but how much resin do you think they REALLY sell? Ever see a home building contractor using resin?? A sheetrocker? A painter? NO way, right? The HD does not sell much resin at all. So, their resin sits around on the shelf ... HARDENING in the can. In an emergency, I've bought resin from them. It was as thick as Molasses!! NO bs, man ... same color, too! I had to mix in some MEK in order to thin it out - otherwise, it just would not soak into the fiberglass mat I was working with.
Also, body shop supply outfits can be a good source. In my experience, though, they are really expensive. The boat places always seem to be cheeeeeep & fresh!
Good Luck & GET A RESPIRATOR!!
-------------
Yeah I would have to agree with six4. That home depot resin is a pain to deal with. Its incredibly thick and it seems to cure a lot quick than most other resins I've used.
Try looking in the phone book for any local companys that carry composite materials. You might get lucky and find a place that will have everything you need. If you're anywhere near the San Diego area I can recomend a place.