Pigments and Epoxy resin

[dave_gibsea]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to get pigments for epoxy coatings to colour them? Sorry if this a dumb question, I've used pigments with GRP but epoxy is new to me as a coating. Cheers, Dave

 

[boatbuilder]

Yes but not in such a great range of colours. Do not use polyester basaed pigments in epoxy. Have a look at wessex resins.

 

[LadyInBed]

Along those lines, what can you add to Epoxy resin to stiffen it up a bit. Would sawdust or chalk do a job or does it need to be a fiberglass powder or the like?

 

[eyehavit]

On occasion, we use powder as well as pre-dispersed pigment concentrate. Powders need a lot of work to disperse properly into an epoxy. A ball, or other high shear mixer, works well. but most people won't have access to that. A pre-dispersed pigment concentrate that is epoxy compatible makes for easier mixing one off and smaller jobs. If you are searching for a supplier, look under colourants as well as pigment. The supplier should be able to advise for resin compatibility.
Good luck.

 

[boatbuilder]

Depends what you are doing with it. If you are laminating then a little colloidal silica (Cabosil) will stiffen to form what is called a pregel and is used where the substrate is porous as it stops the resin being sucked into the job.
If you are coving then you should use micro fibres and cabosil. a little sawdust will do no harm but not realy a good idea for structural use.
Hope that helps

 

[LadyInBed]

I am thinking of making a plywood dingy and am thinking of using Epoxy resin as the initial glue to hold the plywood sheets together, then using wood battens and fiberglass tape to give strength and rigidity.

 

[boatbuilder]

Sugest you get a book on epoxy boat building /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[LadyInBed]

Yes, I must get down to the library /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Rick]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi,

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to get pigments for epoxy coatings to colour them? Sorry if this a dumb question, I've used pigments with GRP but epoxy is new to me as a coating. Cheers, Dave

[/ QUOTE ]
Be wary of the fact that epoxies generally have very poor UV resistance and should therefore be coated with a solid paint, or UV varnish. While tiniting the epoxy seems attractive, you'll find that in as little as 3 months an epoxy coating will fail.

 

[William_H]

Yes epoxy is bad in the sun. Pigments that I have bought here in Oz are described as suitable for polyester epoxy or urethane resins. Check the label.
olewill

 

[cliff]

Re: Stitch and Tape construction

Have a look here
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

It might be a good idea, for future reference, to experiment on some resin left-over. NOT on the actual job, of course!

When I wanted some coloured Gelcoat for a mould and all I could find was either clear or white, with a smallish jar of pigment costing close to 10 - 12 of your money, I found that I could get practically any colour that I wished by using the powder paints that are used in kindergartens! MUCH less expensive.

Another 'discovery' was that liquid release wax can be changed from colourless to <span style="color:blue">very visible</span> through the simple addition of a few drops of food colouring /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Never hurts to try: if it does not work out you'll remember that it doesn't when you have to find a quick solution in an emergency. That doesn't sound quite right but I hope that you get the gist of what I am trying to say.

 

[LadyInBed]

Re: Stitch and Tape construction

Thank's Cliff