U.S. Composites Epoxy

[jem]

interesting. Might be worth a try.

[Teddy Madison]

Thanks Coog.
Some questions:

1. Any idea what the cure rate is?

2. What have you paid in shipping from them, U.S. Composites would be 30 bucks for 3 gallons total epoxy and hardener and 18 yds of 4oz cloth.

3. Do you know what the kits actual volume is, they say 1 gallon kit, not sure if that is 1 gallon of epoxy and 1/2 gallon of hardener or is it 1 gallon total.

Wayne

[coogzilla]

I get about 20min's or so till it starts getting like glue. I mix it in
plastic cups and dump it on the piece I'm coating. If you leave it in
the cup it gets hot and jells up, quick.

Shipping? no idea. Call em. 3gal's is plenty for a couple canoes/kayaks.

Here's the most reasonable place for glass I found.

http://www.fiberglasssite.com/servlet/C ... egory=6+oz

Coogs

[Teddy Madison]

Excellent, thanks again.

[Chalk]

I have mixed about 12 gallons or so of US Composites. I have used the 3:1 and 2:1...The 3:1 will off gas when it starts to kick, which is a good and bad thing....you can smell it when it starting to cure...I had a couple of mixes smoke before I got them out.

Currently using the 2:1 and it doesn't smell much at all....working time is about an hour @ 85 degreess and 1,000% humidity

Don't bother emailing them...I never get a response...they will answer the phone though. I mistakingly ordered the wrong epoxy and they emailed me asking me if I ordered the right stuff, which I didn't....thought that was cool of them.

I will keep using them

[Teddy Madison]

That's one thing I'm on the fence about, 2:1 or 3:1. I am expecting anything from 70 to 85 degrees plus so I'm concerned that the 2:1 will not set up fast enough if I'm in the low 70s. Now based on what you are saying with an hour set time at 85 and humid, I'm thinking I would be OK.

Wayne

[Chalk]

IMO you don't want a fast set up...an hour goes by really quick when you spreading epoxy....I live in Florida and only order slow hardner even in the winter...I can see medium hardner for maybe doing panel splices, but for most filleting and laminating I prefer slow....gives you time to laminate neatly and chase bubbles and boogers down

[Teddy Madison]

Agreed, I think I will be going with the 2:1; I would rather nurse a slow cure than race against a fast one.

Wayne

[Oldsparkey]

Agreed, I think I will be going with the 2:1; I would rather nurse a slow cure than race against a fast one.

Wayne

All I ever use is the 2 to 1 mix , easy to mix , sets without a problem and gives you some working time. I have made quite a few boats using it and am very happy with the results.

I live in central Florida ( the land of heat & humidity ) and have never had a problem. I even made one boat , actually a part of it , during a hurricane and all the rain with out any problems. I like to get the slow and the fast hardeners , mix them so I have a medium hardener and work from there.

In the winter when the epoxy gets cold , I put it in a black garbage bag and set it in the sun for a while to warm up , then take the containers out and get what I need , I use the measuring pumps.
"O" by the way my workshop is climate controlled , the climate controls what it feels like in there.

Everyone has what the like and the only way is to use it to find out.

Chuck.

[coogzilla]

In the winter here it gets wet. A iceburg looking thing is made
by the wheather in the can. Really messes with ya. I put the can
top off in a pot of water on the stove and heat it. (make sure,
damn sure mommas not home) else you is gonna have trouble.

Warm it on low till it's clear lookin and it will work good. I think theres
were most blush problems come from. The moisture gets in and it's
gonna cause problems. Poxy likes 80fh to work good. Colder it will
take forever to set up. You can overcome with "heatlamps" I've
been told. Ain't tryed it, but probably work. What do I know.

Coogs