Where to purchase epoxy resin?

[The_FoX]

I need a few gallons of epoxy resin for my boat. Where would I purchase it? Also approx. how much is it per gallon?

 

[dicktaber]

Re: Where to purchase epoxy resin?

West Marine has a line of good epoxy resins available in gallon sizes; I'm not sure about price but it's quite a bit more than polyester resin. They have some literature available that outlines the characteristics of the different resins and catalysts available. Just last week I bought a quart of Evercoat epoxy resin at Home Depot for about $15--works great.

 

[rickl]

Re: Where to purchase epoxy resin?

Hi The_Fox,<br />Try a boat building supply store in your area, marinas, or marine stores. I have used the following distributors. They’ve supplied a good product at competitive rates and good phone support specially the West System people.<br /> <br />www.jamestowndistributors.com<br /> http://www.systemthree.com/index.html <br /> http://www.westsystem.com/ <br /><br />Hope this helps,<br /><br />Rickl

 

[epresutti]

Re: Where to purchase epoxy resin?

I just purchased a 5 gal. pail kit from Fiberglass Coatings Inc www.fgci.com, total kit with 2:1 non-corrosive activator, including shipping was $272.30.<br /><br />They shipped when they said, I ordered on monday, had product on friday. You can also order from their web site, I called them and pre-paid with CC. (800) 272-7890.<br /><br />I have been to their shop (used to live close by), now I live in Ohio, they are a full range supplier of boat construction products, based in St. Petersburgh, FL. (No I am not a salesman for them) When I started my re-build project they were recommended by a friend. In their store I found the help I needed, they were very knowledgable about the boat building process. They sell both bluk and small quantities of epoxy, polyester, glass, etc. Check out their web site, you can also get a catalog there.<br /><br />I don't know what ratio you will need, but the catalog I have say's 1 gal kit 2 gal epoxy base, 1 gal activator (2:1) = $98.50<br /><br />Hope this helps.<br /><br />Cheers.<br /><br />emp.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Where to purchase epoxy resin?

for both my boats i use clark craft 's 'epoxy plus '.. on the web .. just type it in & add dot com... i read & read before hand. was informed that the lower the ratio , 1 to 1 had less suface wax( amine blush ) an more 'solids' less 'junk' the the higher ratios say 5 to 1's...1 to 1 is best.. 2 to 1 is next best & so on..<br /><br />less wax , close to no wax -i could even say NO WAX, means you can apply more coats over 'cured' without the need to sand & remove the amine blush .. a deffinate plus..i was able to coat both pieces long before hand as to store them outside an be impervious the moisture( rain & dew ) an when needed just apply more glue on top an bond together..there's many other pluses just can't explain... <br />also ,, i don't care what,,, mixin' 1 to 1 is just plain easier & more accurate than other ratios....<br /><br />one draw back.. they do not sell differant hardiners.. only one kind..<br /> <br />the only 1 to 1 epoxy i could find was thru clark craft.. in the thin laminating type.... can't recall the price but it made this cheap s o b happy..

 

[epresutti]

Re: Where to purchase epoxy resin?

Crab bait,<br /><br />Thanks for the additional info, FCGI sells the 1:1 as well. I have been using the 2:1 , I just went back to the catolog and checked, it has a pot life slightly short (40 min vs 50 min), shorter tack free time, etc. than the 1:1. A lower water absorption rate .15 vs .20 and slightly higher strengths than the numbers listed below.<br /><br />There were also listed various strengths:<br />Tensile 8500 psi<br />Tensile modulus 375,000 psi<br />Tensile Elongation 7.8%<br />Flexural Strength 14,000 psi<br />Flexural Modulus 407,000 psi<br />Compressive Strength 12,000 psi<br />Water absorption (21 day) .2%<br /><br />Some of these I understand, the numbers seem very large. Is there some kind of practical comparison of what these numbers mean, ie: hit with hammer = 5000 psi.<br /><br />Sorry for asking question on someone elses thread.<br /><br />Cheers.<br /><br />emp.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Where to purchase epoxy resin?

it's 'greek' to me , too.. i just kinda compared numbers,somewhat.. but the main deciding factor was/is 1 to 1 .. easier mix & more solids & no wax.. them's paramount to me...

 

[epresutti]

Re: Where to purchase epoxy resin?

Crab bait,<br /><br />Thanks, 1:1, yea!! I was just outside finishing some glassing and cracked my "super secret" measuring container. (Graduated container for mixing different ratio's).<br /><br />I'm with you on the 1:1, gunna have to be for my next project!<br /><br />Cheers.<br /><br />emp.

 

[epresutti]

Re: Where to purchase epoxy resin?

The_Fox,<br /><br />Sorry about straying on your topic, I hope the info is useful.<br /><br />Cheers.<br /><br />emp.