Epoxy Resin

[Capt13]

I tried different epoxies over the years, building boats, paddle boards, making repairs and saturating wood to waterproof. I never liked West Systems. I felt it was prone to blushing, especially at lower temperatures. I liked MAS , but my epoxy of choice for the past 15 years has been RAKA. I use 127 Resin and their 350 non blushing hardener and have always had great results.

Measuring and mixing are critical. Even though there is some leeway with a 2:1 mix ratio, I am obsessive about being precise. I never trusted the pumps. I have tried marking plastic cups for volume but the amount left in the cup I poured from always bothered me. I use a red solo cup on a scale set to grams (smaller measure than ounces means more accurate.) Tar the scale with the cup on it. For RAKA I use .43 for hardener calculation. Pour a bunch of resin in the cup. Write down the numbers of grams. Re-tar the scale to zero. Multiply the amount of resin by .43 and slowly pour the hardener on top of the resin till you hit that number.

When it comes to mixing, I'm just as obsessive. I won't mix with a stirring stick. I chuck a paint stirrer in the drill press set to a moderate speed. I always have music playing and will mix for the amount of time a song plays.

Some interesting reading can be found here regarding the different brands of epoxy available.

 

[Old Mud]

Being Anal with your measuring and mixing is a Good thing. To many times guys will just wing it and take a guess. Not what anyone should do for sure. Not many guys will stop to think, ok im building or repairing this boat that myself and possibly my family will be out in it. Our lives can at any given time may just be at stake. I always use Vinalester on decks,washrails etc. Not a big fan of polly and for me didn't want the extra cost of the Epoxy.

 

[Capt13]

I haven't used polyester since the early 90's ! What are the differences between Vinalester and Polyester ?

 

[Roccus7]

I tried different epoxies over the years, building boats, paddle boards, making repairs and saturating wood to waterproof. I never liked West Systems. I felt it was prone to blushing, especially at lower temperatures. I liked MAS , but my epoxy of choice for the past 15 years has been RAKA. I use 127 Resin and their 350 non blushing hardener and have always had great results.

Measuring and mixing are critical. Even though there is some leeway with a 2:1 mix ratio, I am obsessive about being precise. I never trusted the pumps. I have tried marking plastic cups for volume but the amount left in the cup I poured from always bothered me. I use a red solo cup on a scale set to grams (smaller measure than ounces means more accurate.) Tar the scale with the cup on it. For RAKA I use .43 for hardener calculation. Pour a bunch of resin in the cup. Write down the numbers of grams. Re-tar the scale to zero. Multiply the amount of resin by .43 and slowly pour the hardener on top of the resin till you hit that number.

When it comes to mixing, I'm just as obsessive. I won't mix with a stirring stick. I chuck a paint stirrer in the drill press set to a moderate speed. I always have music playing and will mix for the amount of time a song plays.

Some interesting reading can be found here regarding the different brands of epoxy available.

If I still ran a lab I'd hire you in a second!! Talk about attention to detail...

 

[Old Mud]

I haven't used polyester since the early 90's ! What are the differences between Vinalester and Polyester ?

. Vinalester can be used successfully below the waterline. It's a grade up from Polly. So between Polly and epoxy.

 

[wader]

I haven't used polyester since the early 90's ! What are the differences between Vinalester and Polyester ?

I've stayed away from it since the '80's.............................

oh

used.................

I thought you meant wear.
Nevermind

 

[Old Mud]

^^^^^^^^^^^^
Dacron !!!