Which West System microballoon filler for small area GRP hull?

[demonboy]

Hi,

After grinding away a few layers of biaxial on my skeg, I've rebuilt it with glass and now need to finish it off with an easy-to-sand epoxy. The area is relatively small. I think previously we used 410 but that was years ago and now looking at all the alternatives I'm a bit confused about what I need for the job. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Perhaps there is a cheaper alternative to the West System? Needs to be designed for below the water and glass.

TIA

 

[Boathook]

West do a filler additive that is brown in colour and designed for the job. Can't remember the number though.

 

[Refueler]

International used to do what was called Fine Fill ... designed to fill uneven / coarse surfaces and be sanded back easily.

Any filler regardless anyway - will be advised to be painted over ... preferably two pack.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Various types of West Epoxy fairing fillers

https://www.adkwik.co.uk/west-epoxy-fillers/

Brown fillers are

West 405 – Filleting Blend.

West 4-5 is a strong wood coloured filler and is good for use in glue joints and fillets on naturally finished wood. It mixes well with epoxy and has a smooth finish that requires little sanding. West 405 is brown in colour and can be used to modify the shade of other West system fillers.

Colour: brown
​

407 Low-Density
407 Low-Density is a blended microballoon-based fairing filler for WEST SYSTEM Epoxy. Add 407 to a mixture of epoxy resin/hardener to create a fairing putty. It’s easy to sand or carve this putty once it has cured. The filler is reasonably strong on a strength-to-weight basis. You can blend it into any WEST SYSTEM 105 Resin/20X Hardener combination, G/flex Epoxy 650, or G/5 Five-Minute Adhesive. Blended with epoxy to a “peanut butter” consistency, it will be easy to fair. The higher the percentage of 407 in your epoxy mix, the easier it will be to fair. Cures to a dark red/brown color.
Color: dark red-brown

 

[Bobc]

You want 407. Mix it up into the same consistancy as Nutella.

Do not use 405 filleting blend. That is a bugger to sand.

 

[VicS]

Hi,

After grinding away a few layers of biaxial on my skeg, I've rebuilt it with glass and now need to finish it off with an easy-to-sand epoxy. The area is relatively small. I think previously we used 410 but that was years ago and now looking at all the alternatives I'm a bit confused about what I need for the job. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Perhaps there is a cheaper alternative to the West System? Needs to be designed for below the water and glass.

TIA

West 407,409 and 410 are the easy to sand fillers. 410 being the easiest.
For more details, and colour if that's important, see the section on fillers in the West system website
Filler Selection Guide | WEST SYSTEM

I used 407. It cures to a fairly dark red-brown colour

 

[DownWest]

Try East Coast Resins (think that is the name?) and look for micro baloons. Much cheaper than West.
I got a 5lt tub from my local wholesaler for €15. White.

 

[VicS]

Try East Coast Resins (think that is the name?) and look for micro baloons. Much cheaper than West.
I got a 5lt tub from my local wholesaler for €15. White.

East Coast Fibreglass Supplies ???

ECF - East Coast Fibreglass Supplies
.

 

[Gsailor]

West do a filler additive that is brown in colour and designed for the job. Can't remember the number though.

I cannot remember the number either, but a fawn / brown colour light fluffy filler made for very easy sanding.

The small pots of black additive (graphite plus other stuff) produced metal like surfaces - good for places that needed resilience from abrasion.

 

[DownWest]

East Coast Fibreglass Supplies ???

ECF - East Coast Fibreglass Supplies
.

Yes, thanks. Should have checked...
I use Resoltech, easier over here. And, I aquired a 200lt drum of epoxy + hardeners, so not bought any for a bit.

 

[Gsailor]

Yes, thanks. Should have checked...
I use Resoltech, easier over here. And, I aquired a 200lt drum of epoxy + hardeners, so not bought any for a bit.

How long does epoxy last in the container?

I ask because I have 5 litres hidden somewhere and getting older by the day.

 

[VicS]

West do a filler additive that is brown in colour and designed for the job. Can't remember the number though.

I cannot remember the number either, but a fawn / brown colour light fluffy filler made for very easy sanding.

The small pots of black additive (graphite plus other stuff) produced metal like surfaces - good for places that needed resilience from abrasion.

407 cures to a fairly dark red-brown colour.
410 cures to a lighter brown colour

 

[Refueler]

How long does epoxy last in the container?

I ask because I have 5 litres hidden somewhere and getting older by the day.

Indefinitely - BUT its curing slows as it ages .... and often it gets darker brownish colour. This is due to Oxidation ... so as as long as containers have not been opened ... should be ok.

Its recc'd not to use old resin for structural / stressed areas - but for fillling / non vital areas - its fine.

 

[DownWest]

How long does epoxy last in the container?

I ask because I have 5 litres hidden somewhere and getting older by the day.

Well, it is past it's used by date and the hardener is a bit brown. But, I do regular tests on it's gluing ability and so far, so good. It has built my little cat yawl, a friend's 20ft ply cruiser and another friends ply faering. Still some left (30lt?) I cleared a workshop on a big failed build (40ft cat) and got left with the resins, around 12 yrs ago? Resin had just been bought then. Make is Rhea.

Builders in the Carib say that their hardeners arrives brown, due to shipping delays and heat...

 

[demonboy]

Hey guys and gals, sorry it took so long but thank you for the replies. I ended up sticking with 410 since that's what we used previously and was available online.