Where can i find liquid acrylic in istanbul ?

Question

I want to build custom shaped acrylic aquariums. I don't want to use preformed acrylic plates. I want to build it, pour it on my own. In most of the forums, cell cast liquid plexi/acrylic is advised. Where can i find those substances in Ä°stanbul Turkey ? Are there any online tutorials about the craft ? Mold making, pouring tips... Are there any substances needed such as hardener, catalyst.. ? What are the brands ? Where to find in Ä°stanbul ? May substances used in acrylic casting art the used also in aquarium glass building ? EnviroTex,Weld-On ?

Answer 1

When you're talking about "casting" with resin, you're generally talking about a *polyester* resin, not an epoxy resin like Envirotex.  Polyester resins are used for "casting" and as an adhesive and hardener between layers of fiberglass cloth.

(I've never understood if the "liquid acrylic" referred to by some is any different than just polyester resin though... I do know that any resins besides polyester or epoxy are even more dangerous to use.)

Both polyester and epoxy resins come as two parts, but for the polyesters there will be one large bottle and one small bottle (the catalyst), whereas for the epoxies there will be two bottles of the same size (they're mixed one to one).

You can find polyester resins in various places... in art supply stores, craft or hobby stores, as well as in places where one might want to deal with fiberglass (some automotive stores, some boat stores), and of course online.

Check out some of the links in this Google search:

http://www.google.com/search?q=polyester...

And also notice that the link that's about # 10 in that list goes to a few Googlegroups (Usenet groups) that deal with that sort of thing, so you could ask in one of those groups --they'd either know, or be able to direct you to a better group or to various websites with lessons, etc.

HTH,

Diane B.