Epoxies: which is best?

[Hal]

I Have a Ty that I'm restoring and am looking at using epoxy for fairing, glass repair and as a barrier coat below the water line. I know West is great stuff but I would think that of all the competitors out there (System 3, MAS, RAKA, etc.), someone has to be as good (or about as good) for considerably less money.

Any/all feedback is most appreciated!

(PS I tried using the search for this question but I too was "timed out"- as many others have commented).



ficadoor@aol.com

[hobby marine]

Hal:

Any of these will do a good job. The key is to FOLLOW DIRECTIONS and mix throughly. Closely follow all directions for mixing and safety. It seams that owner's are looking for an eaxy product to use. They are all alot of work. One product that I use that always works as the mfg. claims is DURATEC by HAWKEYE Ind. I have used thier products for years and have always had great results. I use it to make plugs for molds and for repairs. I am not sure of thier web site address. They are one of those co. that is great to deal with and thier products always works as the lit. says.

Good luck
glen



glen@hobbymarine.com

[Larry DeMers]

I am on my 3rd. gallon of West System Epoxy (types 105/205). I have rebuilt a wood C-Scow from bare wood up, using System 3, and would not use that product again (although that was years ago now, and their formulation probably has changed). I am also helping a guy build a sea kayak out of MAS epoxy..and it seems like a good product. But I still will go back to West System products, as their customer service, and advice line are invaluable. A few years back, I was monkeying around with a two part dinghy I own, and wanted to duplicate it in FRP. I knew nothing about how to make a mold, as my other epoxy experience was straight out of the can, onto the work. But I wanted to make a plug from polyester, then use that to make copies of my dinghy, but in epoxy. West gave me great hints about using a spray release agent for the plug, retooling the jigs to allow the dinghy sides to have a slight outward angle so that the plug will release easily etc.
I don't think you will go wrong with any of the ones you mentioned, but read those instruction 3x before proceeding, and watch the temps.

Cheers,

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

I Have a Ty that I'm restoring and am looking at using epoxy for fairing, glass repair and as a barrier coat below the water line. I know West is great stuff but I would think that of all the competitors out there (System 3, MAS, RAKA, etc.), someone has to be as good (or about as good) for considerably less money.

Any/all feedback is most appreciated!

(PS I tried using the search for this question but I too was "timed out"- as many others have commented).

demers@sgi.com

[Catherine Monaghan]

Hawkeye Industries

<a href="http://www.duratec1.com/">http://www.duratec1.com/</a>

Hal:

Any of these will do a good job. The key is to FOLLOW DIRECTIONS and mix throughly. Closely follow all directions for mixing and safety. It seams that owner's are looking for an eaxy product to use. They are all alot of work. One product that I use that always works as the mfg. claims is DURATEC by HAWKEYE Ind. I have used thier products for years and have always had great results. I use it to make plugs for molds and for repairs. I am not sure of thier web site address. They are one of those co. that is great to deal with and thier products always works as the lit. says.

Good luck
glen

catherine_monaghan@merck.com