Thanks for the kind appreciation.
I've used a couple of online suppliers for the resin - ABL Stevens, who I contacted by phone and discussed my needs with -
http://www.resin-supplies.co.uk/contact.htm They were very helpful and told me that as well as the resin I also needed a flexible additive. I got the pigments from them as well. I got a subsequent bottle of resin from here:
http://www.ecfibreglasssupplies.co.uk/store/-c-41_95.html.
The process is fairly straightforward but you will need a vapour mask as it is very smelly stuff indeed. I got one from screwfix. You also need to wear gloves and eye protectors - it's damaging stuff if you get it on your skin or eyes...
My method is to use 200ml casting resin, 20ml of flexible additive and 5ml of catalyst (usually supplied with the resin). I then add pigments for colour, about 5 - 10ml if a solid colour but less if it's a transparent colour. ABL Stevens have good information about this on their website.
I use a small lunchbox to pour the mix into as it doesn't need a release agent added but I have made up a silicone mould recently, bit rough and ready, but I'll probably make up some more of these.
As it's a topic not really covered by a woodworking forum I hope the mods won't mind me posting a couple of links to the sites I've found useful:
http://www.woodworkforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=204 and
http://www.penturners.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=43.
The resin needs to be in a reasonably warm atmosphere to get going. I leave it 24 hours before taking it out of its mould and it's best to leave it at least a few days if you can be patient before cutting it and turning it. It seems to smell less if left a bit longer.
I finish it with wet and dry up to about 800 grade and then use micromesh pads up to 12000 and finish with car polish.
Hope this helps! Glad to answer any further questions. Oh, check out youtube for polyester resin videos as well...
edit...also look in the articles sections in the library at IAP for casting instructions and methods - found this very useful too....
http://www.penturners.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=42
