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Boat fiberglassing question
Posted on 10/27/24 at 5:42 pm
Posted on 10/27/24 at 5:42 pm
I've got a boat project and I see that there are marine grade epoxy kits for $150gal with hardener but other kits on Amazon for about 40 bucks a gallon that looks like they're used for table tops and art projects. Is there such a thing as marine grade and does it matter if it's going to be under a coat of faring compound and/or paint and gel coat? If you look on Amazon you will see "Total Boat" which is where I bought my first gallon but I'm hoping to buy my next 3 at a cheaper rate but don't want to lose any performance. Basically is epoxy epoxy?
5
Posted on 10/27/24 at 6:04 pm to CajunSportsman
Have you searched TheHullTruth? I couldnt tell you the difference but I imagine the topic has been hashed out over there. One thing I do know which you may already be aware is that you won’t be able to apply gel coat over the epoxy surface
Posted on 10/27/24 at 6:34 pm to Saskwatch
Thanks, Hull Truth is great, should've thought of that.
Posted on 10/27/24 at 9:12 pm to CajunSportsman
Total boat or west systems are legit.
I did stringers a few years back. Make sure you measure right and don't set the mix too hot.
Besides the mess, smell, and trial and error the job was much more intimidating than it actually turned out to be.
I did stringers a few years back. Make sure you measure right and don't set the mix too hot.
Besides the mess, smell, and trial and error the job was much more intimidating than it actually turned out to be.
Posted on 10/28/24 at 9:40 am to CajunSportsman
I'm not sure what the difference is, I'd imagine there's filler or something in the discounted version.
I built a small sailboat a few years ago and used raka.com to order what I needed. I found their prices cheaper than west marine and technical resources on their website to be decent. In other words, they seemed knowledgeable in what they were selling. Seemed to work just fine for me. US based company in Florida.
I built a small sailboat a few years ago and used raka.com to order what I needed. I found their prices cheaper than west marine and technical resources on their website to be decent. In other words, they seemed knowledgeable in what they were selling. Seemed to work just fine for me. US based company in Florida.
Posted on 10/28/24 at 11:19 am to CajunSportsman
US Composites has good prices and serves the boat building industry of south Florida. Loads of good information on their site.
Total Boat and West Systems seem to be the gold standard but they are expensive. I have used US Composites products on several boats and they work great and are a good bit less expensive.
Total boat gallon of resin and slow/fast hardener is $154.99 on their site. West System seems to currently be around $200. US Composites with slow, medium or fast hardener is about $95 a gallon. They also sale West systems. Around $180 depending on hardener per gallon.
US Composites also has one of the best websites ever for placing an order and they are great about answering the phone and questions. In my experience of course, others may have more information.
Their products are used in very high end custom built boats. Check 'em out, might save some money.
Total Boat and West Systems seem to be the gold standard but they are expensive. I have used US Composites products on several boats and they work great and are a good bit less expensive.
Total boat gallon of resin and slow/fast hardener is $154.99 on their site. West System seems to currently be around $200. US Composites with slow, medium or fast hardener is about $95 a gallon. They also sale West systems. Around $180 depending on hardener per gallon.
US Composites also has one of the best websites ever for placing an order and they are great about answering the phone and questions. In my experience of course, others may have more information.
Their products are used in very high end custom built boats. Check 'em out, might save some money.
Posted on 10/28/24 at 11:26 am to CajunSportsman
My personal opinion is that anything marine is just extra expensive and those others are likely all the same, but I have 0 experience.
As said there 2-3 well known and well proven companies. I’m sure they are over priced but it just depends on your project to be honest in regards to how much risk you want to take.
As said there 2-3 well known and well proven companies. I’m sure they are over priced but it just depends on your project to be honest in regards to how much risk you want to take.
Posted on 10/28/24 at 11:32 am to CajunSportsman
I am no expert but I have restored several boats from stem to stern over the years and it is my understanding that marine epoxy is nothing special...it differs in clarity from table top or craft epoxy because it does not generally require the same sort of clarity. Its more readily available in quart or larger quantities because generally speaking anyone needing epoxy for a boat project needs more than someone who is doing a small craft project. It is also more readily available with hardeners from the same supplier which are designed for atmospheric conditions and expected working times...something that is not generally done with table top or craft epoxy. I think, but may be very wrong, the latter will do the trick they just tend to be clearer (more refined) and are generally sold in smaller quantities and with standard hardeners for a given application. Marine epoxy and hardeners are designed to work in a given temperature and humidty range where other types of "kits" have specific conditions required to work properly.
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