I have found a new wonderful application for the CTS Crystal Coat. I have coated 3 wood reel seat inserts that I turned and the resulting finish is amazing! Crystal clear, diamond like shine and very hard!

Two were stabilized the third, Birdseye maple.

I used portions a little heavier on the hardner then the 3/2 to attain a hard finish per the instructions from CTS.

I do find that Crystal Coat is very slow to set up and cure!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/20/2019 04:59PM by Phil Erickson.

Phil,
I would have guessed CC would work exceptionally well for the application you described. Do you have a more precise ratio than “…a little heavier on the hardener”? One aspect of CC I forgot to mention four days ago in my CC topic is that it has a perfect balance of hardness while still retaining the perfect amount of flexibility. In fact, it also exhibits the ability to self-heal scratches, within reason of course. Again, I consider the slow cure time a small price to pay for all the other outstanding attributes of CC.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Mark, using ML I went 6/5.

Phil,
Thanks for the information. Experimenting with altered ratios of CC to obtain a harder or softer end product, I have only experimented with a 3R/2.25H ratio. Such ratio seemed to require MORE time to cure compared to the (Norman) suggested 3/2 ratio. While typical thinking would suggest more hardener = quicker cure time, I have found, over the years in the composite industry, altering the prescribed mix ratio can produce unpredicted, if not unfavorable results. Epoxies react DIFFERENTLY than polyesters (AKA FG resin). While the 3/2.25 ratio eventually cured, it seemed to take longer than a 3/2 ratio. Go figure!

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.