Resin and hardeners are most easily mixed by volume. POXY-SHIELD® uses 5 parts of resin to 1 part of hardener. lf Slow & Fast hardeners are mixed, dispense these first and mix the desired proportion first forming 1 hardener component, then add 5 parts of resin by volume. A very slight variation in proportions is acceptable, however, the proportions should be held as accurately as possible.

POXY-GRIP® uses 1 part resin to 1 part hardener. A variation of 5% is acceptable, but again the more exact the proportion, the better the results.

Do not attempt to mix too much resin at a time, especially of POXY-GRIP®, since the viscosity will make it difficult to stir. A pint of POXY-SHIELD® is about the maximum to mix up at a time in most circumstances, unless several workers are using the mixture at once, or a large coating or sheathing application is in progress (see heading, Flow-Coating). Even under these conditions, a quart at a time is a large amount and can seldom be worked before gelling begins. Instead of using a large batch, have several smaller batches pre-measured and dispensed (but not mixed) with resin and hardener at the ready. lt is always easy to make up a fresh batch and you'll minimize waste.

Dispense the products into clean wax-free paper, plastic, or metal containers. Do not use glass or foam plastic containers. The heat of exotherm may soften the container or make it too hot to handle, and there is a danger of breaking glass containers making for a potentially hazardous situation.

The best mixing containers are graduated and made of flexible polyethylene plastic. These make measuring easy, they are reusable, and cured, well mixed, activated resin will not stick to them. lf resin and hardeners are dispensed into separate measuring containers and then poured into a common mixing container, be sure to scrape all container surfaces to get all the remaining material into the mixing container to assure proper proportions. When possible, we prefer to dispense directly from the product containers into the mixing containers. Non-graduated containers can be used by measuring known volumes of water into them and marking the container with the graduations.

Once the products are dispensed into the mixing container, stir thoroughly for at least a minute or more, being sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the container. Clean sticks of wood or tongue depressors can be used for stirring. We don't advise the use of high-speed power mixers (such as those which attach to power drills) because they can cause resin to fly and create an eye and skin hazard. Also, most such mixers do not scrape the sides or bottom of the mixing container adequately, and the resin will stick to the container unless cleaned before curing.

Thorough, careful, and complete stirring of the mixture is extremely important for proper curing. Always stir contents in the mixing container before dispensing into shallow pans or other containers. Don't try to mix in broad, shallow containers; it can't be done properly and an improper cure may result. lf fillers are to be added, use containers that are large enough. Fillers may double or triple the volume and when stirring will tend to "slop" out. Stir fillers into the activated resin in small amounts at a time, after first mixing resin and hardener. The mixture can be poured into shallow pans or a paint roller tray if you need to increase working time. Incomplete mixing will result in spotty curing.

Remember these key points for successful use: Keep things clean, keep products away from your skin and eyes, provide adequate ventilation, and mix products thoroughly at the correct ratio. Prior to doing any mixing, be sure that all the tools you will need are ready for use, including cleaners and solvents. Planning what you will be doing and thinking of the tools that will be needed can save you a lot of headaches, particularly when attempting unfamiliar procedures.

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