I understand there is a resin class today but unfortunately I get off work at 6:30 and will have to miss it. If someone could help me externalize/ workshop this idea:
I was looking to do a resin cast project. Basically, a bike wheel I have is bent in a funny curvy shape and I’d like to pour a resin “tire” that would go around the bicycle wheel. The wheel could then be illuminated with LEDs laid inside the bicycle wheel. a cool salvador dali distorted bike wheel lamp.
I have a few ideas on how to approach casting resin in this way. I was thinking to first inlay the leds, add a protective barrier, drilling out some kind of system that the leds can be taken in/out/replaced for future maintenance.
Then use an old bike tire placed on the wheel to match the shape with a hole driled in the tire to pour and use the tire as a casting mold and then just polishing off any ugly bits left behind by the inside of the tire.
I’m not 100 percent certain if this idea works. I was wondering if someone with a little more experience in resin casting could give me some tips. How runny is resin? would the resin just spill out and not dry correctly? Should i could I just use some kind of sealant for the inside that would be removable?
It is my understanding that the resin would dry hard and would be difficult to take on/off the bike wheel once cast
If the resin idea is a dead end, then maybe you could make some clear tube thingy (technical term) and fill it with lights, then lay in the bike wheel track. Cool concept.
Overmolding resin onto a weird shape the size of a bike wheel is a really advanced project, this is compounded by the fact that you want it to be clear. The most likely best case scenario is that you will spend a lot of money and time and end up with a lot of air bubbles and voids.
You would need to build molds that match your wheel perfectly and then deal with how to prevent any air bubbles and voids, a pressure pot would be mandatory for getting rid of all the microbubbles that would fog up the resin. I guarantee you will not get it in the first go, and then the next bike wheel you use will not match the molds you just made.
I would highly recommend exploring other more forgiving ways to accomplish what you want.
Basically what @Chris_Wischkowsky said. besides being a rather tough project, it would be fairly expensive. I like the idea and it would be a neat project, but maybe consider using plastic tubing that would already be clear. Something that could be heat molded around the wheel. Or scuff up the tubing with high grit sandpaper that way the light diffuses better.
Edit- I am sorry you weren’t able to make the class. I will most likely do another one in the future.
Yessir! you can find it over in plumbing and I think it goes up to maybe 1.5 inches in diameter which would be a good likeness to a bike tire. Well on the higher end anyway.