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I have been trying to use Protite 500g Clear Casting Embedding Fibreglass Resin but no matter what I do the product the resin cures but its surface is still soft and picks up fingerprints and can easily be marked. I have read through the instructions more then 6 times iv tried increasing and decreasing the catalyst but nothing seems to work. I poured a piece and left it for 5 days but it is having the same problem.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/protite-...resin_p1560654
I have never used that particular resin, however it is quite normal for the surface to remain soft with many types of resin, you need to remove the soft finish by polishing it away
With pen blanks putting them into a warm toaster oven (lowest setting) for 20 or 30 minutes will cure the outside. Don't "cook" it too long as that makes them more brittle. Some people put them out in the hot sun for a few hours but I don't like that because of the UV rays which do in most plastics. No point in rushing that along but it is your choice. We actually use an old waffle iron/sandwich press laid open in a metal drawer with the blanks sitting on thin sticks, on the lowest heat setting. Using the heat to cure lets you cast with less hardener resulting in a less brittle blank.
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With polyester resin, I believe the top layer remaining tacky is so if multiple pours are required, they achieve a chemical bond as the top surface isn't fully cured. QCinspector is on the money as to how to rectify it
Not sure what quantity of resin we are talking about, but small quantities need to be mixed thoroughly and then left still till it starts to warm, to ensure the reaction has started before pouring. But Polyester resin can be post cured as others have suggested