How do I decide which hardener best suits my needs?
Ensure that the hardener you choose is best suited to the climatic conditions. For warm environments select a slow hardener, in cooler climates make sure you use a faster hardener.
- Can I add a tint to Epiglass?
Universal type tinters are formulated for use in both solvent and water-based products, and contain a type of solvent that will act as a plasticizer, heavily retard the cure and may stay trapped in the film. As this may lead to soft cures, it is not advisable to add tints to Epiglass.
- Can I use Epiglass with teak, or other oily woods?
Yes, as long as the surface is thoroughly cleaned and de-greased, and gluing occurs as soon as possible after de-greasing.
- Could Epiglass cause yellowing in my topcoat?
Not if used correctly, with the correct amount of base to hardener. However, addition of excess hardener could lead to this problem. Increased moisture and solvent sensitivity can lead to blistering of paint films and possible yellowing of topcoats as the excess curing agent permeates out of the ...
- Following a minor accident, I now have a 9-inch wide hole right through the hull (Fibreglass), just above the waterline on starboard side. How can I repair this?
Begin by grinding away all the loose Fibreglass inside and outside the hole. You will probably end up with ground away area about 15 inches wide. Put a piece of wood covered with polyethelene against the outside of the hull, Make sure the polyethelene is stretch tight and is against the hull. C ...
- GRP yacht in dry dock ,no Gelcoat, but has polyester fillers. What do I do?
Full Question: I have a GRP yacht that has been in dry storage for 11 years. Before I put it back in the water, I would like to give the hull several coats of Epoxy resin to ward off the effects of Osmosis. The boat was built on a plug as a "One-off" and therefore had no Gelcoat, instead it ...
- How can I be sure I’ve used the correct amount of base and hardener?
Only use the specially calibrated dispensing pumps available from the manufacturer – don’t use other manufacturers dispensing aids as they may be calibrated to dispense a different mix ratio.
- How can I tell the difference between amine blush and uncured resin?
Due to the chemical make-up of Epiglass HT9000 hardeners, an amine blush may be seen after curing, which many people often mistake as uncured resin. To tell the difference between amine blush and uncured resin check the cure after a day or so with a fingernail. It should be difficult and/or impo ...
- How do I avoid a ‘soft cure’ of my Epiglass mix?
Insufficient curing agent will usually slow the epoxy reaction down and lead to softer cures, which never really harden up. A slight excess of between 5 and 15% may not be obvious as the epoxy may cure hard and firm. Too much hardener however, may lead to softer cures, as the excess hardener bec ...
- How long do epoxies really take to cure?
Room temperature cured epoxies can take up to a month to fully cure. Even at this point they may not be fully cured due to the presence of low levels of both epoxy and amine materials still not cross-linked. Heat curing will advance the cure to the best that can be achieved, and typically 16 hou ...
- How will temperature fluctuations throughout the curing cycle effect Epiglass?
Check the temperature during the curing cycle as well as when you mix and apply Epiglass. Using products on winter afternoons and allowing to cure overnight in the garden shed will result in slow cures as temperatures drop rapidly, and will also slow down the recovery cure once temperatures begi ...
- I am confused by epoxy systems.
There are attached at the bottom of the page three useful West Guides as pdf files. . The guides.WEST SYSTEM "User Manual and Product Catalogue", "Epoxy for Marine Use" & "A Guide to Sheathing"which we feel will make interesting reading for you. These specifications should be read alongside ...
- My boat encounters a harsh UV challenge, how can I optimise UV protection when using Epiglass?
Although Epiglass is a clear coating it does not contain UV protection filters found in other International products. To maximize UV protection, apply a coat of varnish, such as Interspray 800 Glazecoat, Perfection or Schooner, over the top of fully cured Epiglass. A two-component varnish provid ...
- West System 105 _ is this treatment advised for new marine ply to used as decking, and if so can grit and pigment be added to give colour and grip underfoot.
Aditionally: Also what amount would be required to cover 60 square feet. West System advice was: From the information you have provided we feel that WEST SYSTEM epoxy may be suitable for your needs. WEST SYSTEM epoxy can be used for coating, filling and fairing, bonding, laminating and much mor ...
- When mixing the base and hardener the mix started to bubble and smoke, and within a minute I couldn’t use it. How do I avoid this?
Re-evaluate the hardener you are using – is it suitable for the climatic conditions? You are probably using a fast hardener in a warm room, by using a slower hardener, mixing smaller quantities or working in a cooler environment you can prolong the pot life.
