West vs SP epoxy?

P

prv

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 Nov 2009
Messages
37,358
Location
Southampton
Visit site
I've just about finished my first "A Pack" of West System epoxy, and since my Dad was passing by the chandlery, that's only open when I'm at work, I asked him to pick up more of the same. He came back with a pack of SP.

I presume this is pretty similar, but is it identical? I've got used to the handling characteristics of the West stuff now. I'll also want to swap the measuring pumps over from the old containers to the new - will they a) fit the thread and b) avoid any undesirable reactions as the new product meets the old in the pump?

Cheers,

Pete
 
Hi

I've used both West and SP. Depends a bit on which SP epoxy you've got but if it is SP320 then I'm sure it is quite a bit different to West - and may well need different mix ratios. I found SP epoxy to be sensitive to the exact mix quantities and I needed to weigh it to get it right. West seemed to be much more tolerant - hence why you can use mixing pumps.

I found West to be best as a general purpose adhesive and SP for coating prior to painting / varnishing as it seemed to have a lower viscosity and hence gave a smoother finish. I didn't really like the SP as an adhesive - when I used it with fibreglass fabric sheathing, it didn't seem to give as good adhesion as West.

Hope this helps
 
I've used SP 106 many times and it works fine using pump dispensers. There are SP pumps available and these work very well in supplying fairly exact amounts.

As with all epoxies, you need a minimum of 15oC for the epoxy to go off successfully. I've used it with woven GRP cloth and never had any issues with the product. I've also used West and it seems identical in consistancy.
 
prv said:
I've just about finished my first "A Pack" of West System epoxy, and since my Dad was passing by the chandlery, that's only open when I'm at work, I asked him to pick up more of the same. He came back with a pack of SP.

I presume this is pretty similar, but is it identical? I've got used to the handling characteristics of the West stuff now. I'll also want to swap the measuring pumps over from the old containers to the new - will they a) fit the thread and b) avoid any undesirable reactions as the new product meets the old in the pump?

Cheers,

Pete
Click to expand...

.
Fact is there are only 3 or 4 manufacturers of epoxy rein in the world, they sell in bulk and distributors add their own cocktail/s of additives to "improve" the performance depending on the task it's designed for.

You could call or e-mail one or both suppliers and request a comparability report, quoting the batch numbers will also help, along with details of what you plan to do, ie use as glue, go over existing cured glass or coatings etc.

.
 
Last edited:
Epoxy

Having used both of these, I always now go for West Sytem products. I found out working on filling and fairing jobs that the SP micro-balloons are **** compared to the WS low density filler. This stuff goes on like a dream and sands great. Same with the micr-fibres - not user friendly from SP (it is slightly cheaper though). Plus with WS you can finish off a job with the barrier coat (aluminium additives) which is superb for sealing off.

The resins are essentially the same BUT check the numbers ie,obviously don´t mix a WS slow hardner with SP fast hardner.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top