Epoxy, Preferred products/recommended manufacture

Offroad47 · Post by **Offroad47** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 9:05 pm

I've read several threads lately about Epoxy to lay-up the fiberglass cover. Most seemed to be at lease months if not years old. It seem there is no clear preferred manufacture so I'll present my question in this manner. What manufacture do you use and what are the advantages of using "xxxx" over the other manufactures? Strengths, weakness, clarity, wetting, if we list these out well it may be of great value to future new builders gathering their materials.

Thank you, Greg[/list]

Sherm · Post by **Sherm** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 10:00 pm

I use "Marinepoxy", I've used it on several boats and it's hard to try something else
when you know a certain kind works. I first bought this because of it's lower price
and 2 to 1 ratio mix. Someday I would like to "splurged" and try the "Silver Tip" brand.
Seems like there is different brands in different areas of the country. I've noticed
brands being mentioned that I've never heard or seen before.

Offroad47 · Post by **Offroad47** » Sat Nov 28, 2009 4:43 pm

Thanks Sherm,

Marinepoxy is a new one for me. Products like West, East and Mas are the ones I've read about most often. Seems Mas is the most commonly carried by the Catalog companys.

Larry in Champaign · Post by **Larry in Champaign** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:13 am

US Composites http://www.uscomposites.com/epoxy.html

Two boats with great results, durability, and best price around. I'll use it on my next canoe too.

Larry

Gary · Post by **Gary** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 10:03 am

Larry in Champaign wrote:US Composites http://www.uscomposites.com/epoxy.html

Two boats with great results, durability, and best price around. I'll use it on my next canoe too.

Larry

This is good to know. I bought my glass from them for both my boats, I was scared to try their epoxy for my first kayak. I used Silvertip, love everything about it but the price. I bought MAS for $30 a gallon at Boater's World going out of business sale, so far I can't tell any difference. I think I will try USComposites next time. I doubt I will ever find MAS at that low a price again.

Snowman · Post by **Snowman** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 12:10 pm

I have also had great results with US Composites, although I have little experience to compare it to. I have used it on both my kayak and my canoe.

Snowman

MrKim · Post by **MrKim** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 1:00 pm

http://oneoceankayaks.com/Epoxtest.htm

Offroad47 · Post by **Offroad47** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 2:36 pm

Kim,

Killer link! Excellent information

Thank you

willo · Post by **willo** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 4:44 pm

T he epoxy test on one-ocean kayaks is just one mans opinion. The test is tricky to judge as some hardners used are ones that should not be used in clear coating. He also talks about bad blush with East System , I think he calls it the worse for blush.News to me , I am now on my third build using East and I have NEVER had any blush.Like epoxy not all info is equal.

Sherm · Post by **Sherm** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 7:23 pm

Here's where I got mine, (Florida)
So far I've been pleased with the Marinepoxy.
Anyone use "Spar Urethane" instead of "Spar Varnish"?
Varnish seems to be more common with boat builders, I was just wandering why?

http://boatbuildercentral.com/index.php

McFLY · Post by **McFLY** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 4:54 pm

I've used West 105/207 on my Freedom 15. I haven't launched yet, so I can't talk much about durability, but I had zero blush and it has cured very clear even with the pretty low temps I've been working in.

jimmar57 · Post by **jimmar57** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 12:26 pm

Snowman wrote:I have also had great results with US Composites, although I have little experience to compare it to. I have used it on both my kayak and my canoe.

Snowman

ditto, ditto, ditto and ditto - I used US Composites on the only two boats I 've built, a Ranger canoe and Resolute kayak. I been on one week canoe camping trips with each, in addition to several local day trips. No issues so far. Can't beat the price.

vann evans · Post by **vann evans** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 2:35 pm

I also used West System 105/207 and am happy with the results-but it has only been about 4 months since I launched. Time will tell, but so far it looks great. From the research I did(and the website tests noted above), it seems that the varnish coating is almost as important as the type/brand of epoxy. I used Captain's Spar 2015.
Vann Evans

Don · Post by **Don** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 4:46 pm

Hi
I've used West Systems, system 3 and Raka. My preference is System 3 for clarity and speed of working -- their fast hardener matches my working speed quite nicely. Next would be Raka which is, for me, the best price, very good clarity and, now that I've gotten used to using it, easy to use. I use the slow hardener for the wet out which gives excellent clarity and fast for the subsequent coats which matches my temperament. West systems is a good product but I don't like the 5 - 1 mix ratio -- no room for any error and had to scrape down a good portion of one boat when a mix was out a bit. It was also significantly more expensive than anything else I could get.
Anyway, all I use now is Raka because I can buy it direct and System 3 became more expensive when I had to go through a dealer. Great support from Raka as well -- the owner is knowledgeable and doesn't mind spending time on the phone. Also a good source for cloth etc.
good luck
don