Epoxy resins

[jamesbell]

Hi guys,

Apart from the price, what is the difference between West epoxy and SP 106 epoxy, I am in the process of replacing the transom on my dejon 14 and I was going to use epoxy resin for gluing and sealing the marine ply wood. I have read the tech sheets for both products and both seem the same.

Can I use ordinary talc to thicken the resin or do I need to use West's or SP's thickening products.

cheers

James

 

[30boat]

Hi guys,

Apart from the price, what is the difference between West epoxy and SP 106 epoxy, I am in the process of replacing the transom on my dejon 14 and I was going to use epoxy resin for gluing and sealing the marine ply wood. I have read the tech sheets for both products and both seem the same.

Can I use ordinary talc to thicken the resin or do I need to use West's or SP's thickening products.

cheers

James

Don't know about the resins but talc makes a very good smooth filler .A bit dark coloured though.

 

[DownWest]

Talc is used in most car body type fillers, microballoons are easier to sand. As to resins, they are all stronger than the wood, so it gets down to availability and price plus ease of mixing. I use Resoltech (from connexiontechnology.co.uk) as I find their pre-thickened glue resin is easy to use and the water based (non toxic) coating resin is very good. West is not often stocked here and tends to be a bit old when found. Yet to see SP on a shelf. But I have used both in the past and there is not much in it, if any.
A

 

[oldsaltoz]

If using using epoxy resin as a glue add micro fibres, balloons are primarily for fairing.

Also a good idea to use a round object (Fish paste jar) to form a neat fillet, this will add strength and provide a good curve for glassing over.

To help the epoxy penetrate the ply you can thin it with Methylated Spirits to 30% by volume. The exposed edges will suck up the most due to exposed end grain in the ply.

There are about 4 makers of epoxy resin the world but hundreds of distributors, each adds their own additives and claims it's better than others, in fact most are very similar.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

 

[Poignard]

I think the main reason so many people use WEST is because they make it easy to use with clear, well-illustrated instruction books, videos and even training courses.

I've no doubt there are other makes just as good but the WEST people know how to effectively market their product.

 

[Bobobolinsky]

There are about 4 makers of epoxy resin the world but hundreds of distributors, each adds their own additives and claims it's better than others, in fact most are very similar.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

I know a lot more manufacturers than four, in countries such as UK, Belgium, Korea, China, FSR, Czk , US and a whole lot more. Biggest in Europe is probably Hexion, US is Dow Corning, Asia is Kukdo

 

[jamesbell]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all of the very useful advice and info, still don't know who to use, but SP and WEST is available from Duncan Yacht Chandlers, so it will probably come down to price.

cheers

James

 

[Woodlouse]

Just make sure you get the ratios right, not all epoxies are the same in that respect. WEST is good because it's 5:1 by weight as well as by volume. Which means you can measure it out on scales and get the mix just right.

Remember, it's not the same resin as used in fibreglass. Adding too much hardener will weaken the resulting glue, as will adding too little. Precision is quite important here if you want the best possible results.

 

[jamesbell]

Hi Woodlouse,

Yes, you are absolutely correct, mix the west system by weight or volume, after loads of reading on here and other sites with spec/tech sheets (my head still hurts lol), I have decide to go with the SP system, (it has the same mix ratio of 5:1), mainly due to the price of 3Kg of SP106 for £50 + delivery and add in the microfibres and a starting kit and acetone, I have only spent £71 + delivery.

I am sure 3Kg of resin will be enough to do a 60" by 30" transom.

Thanks for all of your help

cheers

james

 

[DownWest]

Re mixing: I am doing a lot of gluing and found an electronic kitchen scale is good. Accurate to a gram and can be zeroed for the wt. of the container. Greek style yoghurt make good mixing pots for up to 150gm.
Good luck
A

 

[oldsaltoz]

Only mix epoxy resin in wide shallow containers, this increases the surface area and helps to dissipate the heat generated when the hardener is added.

Epoxy is water soluble when freshly mixed so a little soap and warm water will remove most, White vinegar will also help in cleaning, Acetone is the best cleaner, when you finish cleaning brushes and rollers etc, put the now dirty acetone into a screw lit jar and let it settle overnight, this will save a lot of acetone.

Use Latex gloves to protect your skin, put 2 gloves on each hand, when things get a bit sticky, just peel one off.

Do not use CSM with epoxy resin, it will ripple the amount of resin required and weaken the job, use only glass cloth designed for use with an epoxy.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.