Epoxy??

larby · 13-10-2008, 10:10 PM

May sound like a strange question, but is epoxy as smelly as usual fibreglass resin?
I've got a lot to learn in this area as i've never dealt with fibreglass much in the past, but one major consideration for me is the smell, as other people using the vinery i'm in won't appreciate the usual smell caused by resin!

I'm assuming i'll be ok to use epoxy over the old fibreglassing and wood that's there? It'll be mainly just to protect the wood rather than being structural with this being a wooden boat...
Is the west systems epoxy a good one to use? Seems expensive!

Cheers, James

BluFin · 13-10-2008, 10:22 PM

I used the West System on the Midas as suggested by TD - bloody good stuff costs more than a testicle but less than a kidney.

Get some microfibers & some collidal Silica (Spelling ???) with it one for bonding latter for thickening.

I didnt think it smelled that much, but that isn't one of my more astute senses

glen76 · 13-10-2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larby

May sound like a strange question, but is epoxy as smelly as usual fibreglass resin?
I've got a lot to learn in this area as i've never dealt with fibreglass much in the past, but one major consideration for me is the smell, as other people using the vinery i'm in won't appreciate the usual smell caused by resin!

I'm assuming i'll be ok to use epoxy over the old fibreglassing and wood that's there? It'll be mainly just to protect the wood rather than being structural with this being a wooden boat...
Is the west systems epoxy a good one to use? Seems expensive!

Cheers, James

I am not an expert but im sure epoxy systems are chosen over others where air movements or smell matter!!!!

Matt · 13-10-2008, 11:00 PM

Based on my experience of West, Epoxy is streets ahead of polyester resin in the smell stakes. Virtually no smell at all.

larby · 13-10-2008, 11:17 PM

Sweet, cheers guys

Have just spent ages reading the west systems site about all the different ways to use it etc... Feel ready to take on the project now!

Blufin - If it's good enough for the midas then it's good enough for me!!

The vinery is also used for growing till the very end of the year so looks like this'll be my only way!

Cheers

Mikey · 14-10-2008, 09:10 AM

We used the West System stuff all the time on our boat.
Excellent to use and does not really smell.

Just don't leave to mix for too long as it gets very hot!! It will combust

We used to buy from:

Wessex Resins and Adhesives Limited
Cupernham House
Cupernham Lane
Romsey
Hampshire
SO51 7LF

01794 521111
http://www.wessex-resins.com

They were always very helpful and deliver quickly.

205 Resin is fast setting, 206 is slow setting

sinkunit0 · 14-10-2008, 04:20 PM

you could us sp systems epoxy
west tends to be thicker resin than the sp 106 the sp is better for laminating

Blue mist · 14-10-2008, 04:59 PM

Larby,when i did a restoration project on a timber boat i used SP Systems. Excellent product with very little smell, also they have a good tech support team for advice. Based in the IOW.....01983-828000

larby · 14-10-2008, 05:13 PM

Cool, what's this SP stuff like compared to West price wise?

Blue mist · 14-10-2008, 05:29 PM

It was a good few years back now, but i think it was similar in price.

larby · 15-10-2008, 09:07 AM

Cool, i might just go with the west stuff then as it's available locally

sinkunit0 · 15-10-2008, 04:09 PM

use peel ply over the epoxy this way if you do it in several stages you will not have to remove the oily coating that is formed as the epoxy cures

larby · 15-10-2008, 04:19 PM

In the humble words of the virgin mary...

Come again??

larby · 15-10-2008, 04:20 PM

I've heard about this oily layer, but have no idea what 'peel ply' is?...

Tony Davis · 15-10-2008, 04:30 PM

http://www.cfsnet.co.uk/acatalog/Peel_Ply.html

larby · 15-10-2008, 05:17 PM

Ahh, i see! sounds like a good idea to me... this whole epoxy & fibreglassing thing all seems rather scary to me, thank god it's a wooden boat so i don't have too much of it to do!! I'm mainly just planning on using it for coating things and a bit of extra support here and there

wiggy808 · 12-11-2008, 11:21 AM

Larby, if your doing a large area and need to mix a large amount of Epoxy, mix it in whatever size container you like and then pour it in to a large surface area but shallow tray. We often use oven trays. This prolongs the pot life of the resin. If you do keep the resin in a small area but deep pot (like a paint pot) once the exothermic reactions start taking place the resin will go in minutes.

If the resin starts going quickly then don't hand around, get the pot outside as the vapours are now quite toxic (and pungent).

Enjoy (if you need any advice don't hesitate to ask, i ran a composite shop for years up north and have learnt quite a few tricks.