'Epoxy' or Varnish

[tim3057]

\'Epoxy\' or Varnish

I often hear the term 'epoxied' in the sense of someone spreading 'epoxy' over wood to seal it from the elements. What is this epoxy? The same stuff you buy in liquid form and mix with a litte hardner to add to glass mat to fill holes in GRP? Is this 2-part epoxy?

Is it something I should be using to seal cracks & joins - coving the joins between deck & cabin sides? Or should I stick to a traditional varnish - like Blakes? Or International Polyurethane?

What will give the stongest, longest-lasting finish to my wood?



<hr width=100% size=1>Wayfarer Woodie done, now I need a new fix..

 

[Talbot]

Re: \'Epoxy\' or Varnish

IMHO I use epoxy as glue and as the ultimate way of keeping moisture out of wood etc. However, epoxy is a bit prone to degradation from UV, so where the epoxy is open to sunlight it is normal to cover it with a more UV stable varnish.

I use 2 pack varnish where the effort of removing old stuff is a real nausea and I want a supremally long wearing coat(s). Where I can easily rub down without having to clear boat out after and clean everywhere (i.e. I can dismantle and use power tools) then I am happy to use a cheaper varnish with tung oil.

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[LittleShip]

Re: \'Epoxy\' or Varnish

What you have probably been informed about is CPES which is................ Clear Penatrating Epoxy Sealer

Have a look at this site

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.rotdoctor.com/>http://www.rotdoctor.com/</A>

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I wish I'd been born rich instead of good looking ?

 

[Peterduck]

Re: \'Epoxy\' or Varnish

Epoxy Resin comes in a number of forms; some liquid, some a gel, and some require a powder to be added to increase the strength. They are quite different to Polyester resin, which is what fibreglass boats have mixed with strands of glass. Epoxy resins usually have mixing proportions of 1:1 or 1:2, resin to hardener. Polyester resins [eg, car body filler] have much less hardener, usually 10:1. Polyester resin is not waterproof, and has a poor adhesion to wood compared to epoxy resin. The clear penetrating epoxy is usually a thin liquid, even when mixed with its hardener. It will penetrate cracks with ease.
Peter.

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