: Paul is exactly correct on this. I recently started to play with
: poly resin as it is quite a bit less expensive, but the mix is a
: little more complicated and I find it harder to work with
: myself. If you bought your resin at a local hardware or auto
: store, it is likely the Poly type and the fumes are pretty
: potent. I actually find MAS to be much more pleasant to work
: with.

: Epoxy hardens based on a chemical process which can be accelerated
: or slowed based on the amount of hardener. If it is correctly
: mixed, the surface it is applied to will have little impact on
: the hardening. The only real impact to your application is a
: potential adhesion problem. Once the chemical reaction starts,
: it really cannot be stopped.

: The most likely culprit is that you didn't have enough hardener in
: your mix.

Eric,
Here's what the MAS website says about varying the amount of Hardener in the epoxy mix:

"Can I speed up the mix my adding more Hardener?? - ABSOLUTELY NOT! Adding more hardener throws off the ratio and you will end up with a gooey mess that never cures."
(see question #8 in the FAQ's at http://www.masepoxies.com/Epoxy_School_/Tech_Support_FAQ.html##8 )

The Epoxy curing chemical reaction requires a precise mix ratio between the hardener and the resin. Any deviation from the specified ratio will only result in a weakening of the final product.

-John