Anyone know if this is available in bulk?

[MYStargazer]

I’ve found Plastic Padding’s Marine Epoxy a godsend for use below the waterline. But I’ve got lots of small dings to fill in as I was too harsh with the gelcoat when removing the antifoul, and this is going to prove expensive.

So I was wondering if there were any generic alternatives that are just as easy to use...?

The datasheet says nothing about the composition, but the box gives warnings about:
Epoxide resin (MW <=700)
Bisphenol-A
Epichlorhydrin
2-piperazin-1-ylethylamine

I wish the product wasn’t two shades of grey as knowing when it’s sufficiently mixed is quite tricky…

 

[sailorman]

tRY hEMPEL UNDER WATER EPOXY
sorry damn cap lock

 

[prv]

I'm not familiar with the Plastic Padding product, but I'd have thought that standard epoxy with one of the various filler powders would do the job. Microfibres probably a bit tough for easy sanding, but microballoons should be ok?

Pete

 

[PCUK]

Marine and Industrial sealants are a trade supplier of all things marine paint and filler-wise.

 

[VicS]

As suggested a liquid epoxy plus a filler.

Lots of info in Wessex resins website http://www.wessex-resins.com/westsystem/index.html should enable you to choose a suitable filler from the range available .
http://www.wessex-resins.com/westsystem/product-selection.html

East Coast Fibreglass Supplies http://www.ecfibreglasssupplies.co.uk/ are a good reliable supplier but also check out CFS Fibreglass supplies http://www.cfsnet.co.uk/

 

[Bongo]

....watch that plastic padding epoxy, gelcoat on top of it wouldn't go off...

 

[Leighb]

....watch that plastic padding epoxy, gelcoat on top of it wouldn't go off...

Is that on any epoxy, or just the Plastic padding product?

 

[TQA]

I'm not familiar with the Plastic Padding product, but I'd have thought that standard epoxy with one of the various filler powders would do the job. Microfibres probably a bit tough for easy sanding, but microballoons should be ok?

Pete

I think colloidal silica is a better filler for underwater use. Microbaloons is better for topsides and certainly sands easier.

 

[Bongo]

Is that on any epoxy, or just the Plastic padding product?

I tried to gel over the areas repaired with plastic padding epoxy inherited from the previous owner, so could have been poorly mixed, or old, but enough of a problem to not try it again.
Any definitive answer on gel on epoxy anyone.?
( Sorry for thread hi jack.!)

 

[prv]

I think colloidal silica is a better filler for underwater use. Microbaloons is better for topsides and certainly sands easier.

You're probably right. I did wonder about the porosity of micro balloons as I hit Send...

Pere

 

[prv]

.
Any definitive answer on gel on epoxy anyone.?

Can't claim to be definitive, but I did do some epoxy work inside Kindred Spirit and then overpainted with gelcoat for cosmetic purposes. That seemed to work fine.

(The gelcoat had wax in so was technically flowcoat, but I don't think that makes a difference here)

Pete

 

[Bongo]

Thanks PRV, there is a lot of discussion re. epoxy/polyester gelcoat on other boaty forums,( gosh.! Surely not as informed as this one..?)
Some confirming my problem, I now use polyester filler, (finishing with waxed gelcoat for above waterline repairs.)
Epoxy/microballoons must be superior below the waterline..?

 

[Simondjuk]

International Interfill is commonly used for below the waterline fairing. Comes in big quantities, 5 or 20 litres, and sands well.

 

[William_H]

I think as already said for the OP epoxy is epoxy and so look for the cheapest bulk pack available. However epoxy can sometimes be found in faster or slower hardening. It can also be found in high temp resistant verdsions but presumably more expensive. The stuff I use was sold as a boat cote for painting over a hull for moisture stopping. So it is quite viscous. It does seem fine however with a filler to make it as thick and stiff as you need for filling. Or methylated spirits to make it even more viscous. One product lots of uses and tailor it to what you need. good luck olewill

 

[MYStargazer]

Thanks for your thoughts, chaps. As ever – an education!

I was a bit worried about not being able to gelcoat/flowcoat overcoat over the Plastic Padding Marine Epoxy (thanks markwyld)

....watch that plastic padding epoxy, gelcoat on top of it wouldn't go off...

…so did a bit more research.

I think I now know the difference between polyester and epoxy. I was thinking that polyester was a type of epoxy because it is two-part, but it seems this is not so.

My 1970’s boat’s hull was – I am told – made with polyester resin, covered by polyester gelcoat. This can be covered by epoxy. But epoxy cannot readily be covered by polyester gelcoat/flowcoat.

So, if I’m fixing dents in the hull, I can use epoxy filler, but not if I then want to gelcoat over.

Similarly, if I want to flowcoat any bare CSM laminate on the inside, I should only use a polyester filler underneath.

On that basis, this stuff probably comes up trumps… http://www.ecfibreglasssupplies.co.uk/p-807-glass-fibre-compound.aspx, or a mixture of http://www.ecfibreglasssupplies.co.uk/p-1531-lloyds-approved-polyester-resin-including-catalyst.aspx and http://www.ecfibreglasssupplies.co.uk/p-765-glass-bubbles.aspx. When the all-polyester hull is filled and faired, I can epoxy the underwater parts to create a more effective water barrier. I just hope the Coppercoat’s water-based epoxy will stick to the ‘normal’ epoxy!...