Best epoxy for the money

[61mysteryboat]

Just started renovating a glass boat. Anyone have any input on an epoxy brand that is good but not so darn expensive. I don't want to start selling my plasma if I don't have to. Lol

 

[Woodonglass]

Where are you located?

 

[61mysteryboat]

Central Michigan. Between Detroit and Chicago.

 

[Woodonglass]

A lot of the members, including me, use the 635 Epoxy from US Composites. Good stuff and reasonably priced. Is there a reason you're using Epoxy instead of Polyester resin?

 

[61mysteryboat]

I'm just going to use epoxy when replacing my transom and stringers. I am aware that polyester can't be applied over epoxy so I will have to be careful about where I transition from one to the other. I like epoxies ability to bond well with wood fibers. Feasible?

 

[Woodonglass]

Feasible but really not necessary. The Poly will form a totally adequate bond for the transom. If you use cabosil and Chopped milled fibers to form a Glue Paste, we call it Peanut Butter, to glue the transom to the outer skin, it'll be there for your grandchildren to enjoy!!!

 

[61mysteryboat]

Will do. Thanks for the input. It will be much more economical. Just get so many conflicting ideas. Some have said polyester won't bond well to wood. I wasn't sure where i would be able to do a trsnsition from poly to epoxy anyhow. I appreciate all of your input.

 

[Woodonglass]

Yes, I know that is stated quite often. However my experience has proven that if your prep is good and techniques are good then the bond achieved is way more than adequate. There's no question that epoxy has better adhesive qualities but, I've yet to see a failed bond between the polyester resin and the wood, especially in these small fiberglass boats. The epoxy Nay-sayers IMHO have not done enough work with poly to be making the kind of statements that they do sometimes. Again that's just my Old Dumb Okie opinion and it's worth every penny you paid!!!

 

[Mr.Stickney]

+1 for WOG and Polyester

I would hate to be the guy that has to pull my boat apart in 20+ years! As mentioned though. Prep and workmanship are key.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Yes, glass with poly resin is notorious for delaminating. When I was working on my 22, sometimes I was able to “peel” the glass off the wood like a sticker. However this is not a problem related to resin more than it is related to a sloppy/bad craftsmanship. Factories - to save time/money or doom the boat to obsolescence in only few years so you have to buy a new one or both -– put the wood pieces on and laminate over them when they are “dry”. What happens is that the dry wood absorbs the resin out of the laminate and you end up with resin starved laminate with weak bond.

If you coat the wood surfaces and edges with poly resin before laminating, you prevent this problem from happening and end up with much stronger bond. One coat will do and if you see any dry spots, just go over them.

 

[61mysteryboat]

Awesome. Thanks again

 

[hosteter]

And what is better for filling cavities?epoxy,vinylestet or poliester?

 

[Woodonglass]

And what is better for filling cavities?epoxy,vinylestet or poliester?

Same thing applies. If you precoat the wood first then poly resin will work just fine. Vinylester is kind of "The best of both worlds" it has better adhesion qualities than Poly but it sets up faster than Epoxy. It's priced in the middle.

 

[hosteter]

And what is with osmosis blisters when i grind them out?can i fill them with polyester putty or must be vinylester or epoxy.

 

[jbcurt00]

Hos, thats an entirely different topic then what this one is about.

Search blisters via the search function, you'll get lots of hits.

Try not to ask unrelated questions about your project in someone elses topic.

 

[hosteter]

Ok sorry