Poly Resin VS. Epoxy Resin for floor repair?

[medcop]

Two part Epoxy Resin or Poly Resin (with hardener) for floor repair?<br /><br />What is the "best" to use?<br /><br />I ask because Poly Resin is like 1/4 the cost of Epoxy and I am going to be using a pretty large amount.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Poly Resin VS. Epoxy Resin for floor repair?

The poly will work great. Rule of thumb remember epoxy is glue and poly is a sturcural coating. Epoxy will do both jobs but in some is cost prohibitive and you cannot apply poly over epoxy and get a good bond, but can in the reverse

 

[BillP]

Re: Poly Resin VS. Epoxy Resin for floor repair?

It's a personal choice deal because both will do the job and live long.<br /><br />There is no doubt epoxy will give a stronger finished product because it glues and grips to old surfaces better than poly...but it isn't as friendly to work with concerning kick times or materials. There is a special mat to use with epoxy because it won't easily saturate mat used for poly. Sloppy woodwork can be gap filled with epoxy without structural issues. You have to sand between coats if not doing the glasswork in one session. You can also reduce laminations by about 30% and get the same strength as poly resin. Kick times have to be done by the type of hardner you use and not by changing ratios. That means you have to tailor your work to meet the resin kick time...poly lets you tailor the kick time to meet your work.<br /><br />Poly will work fine but won't glue, gap fill or stand poor surface prep like epoxy will. I prefer poly for ease of use because you can control kick times, use laminating resin and any mat (which gives more options on size weight). That means work time can be controlled and the glass job can be done at different dates without sanding. The downside is surface prep is more critical. It is difficult to sand between the weave on heavy woven roven cloth so the resin basically adheres to the tops of each strand. In this case, styrene flooded and wiped for cleaning the hard to get areas is a big help.

 

[prockvoan]

Re: Poly Resin VS. Epoxy Resin for floor repair?

BillP,way to go!Thats why I use only poly or ester resins!

 

[medcop]

Re: Poly Resin VS. Epoxy Resin for floor repair?

Thanks!<br /><br />You guys are great!

 

[cc lancer]

Re: Poly Resin VS. Epoxy Resin for floor repair?

Poly is going to start looking start looking real attractive. My supplier called last week and said because of petroleum cost there was going to be a increase in resin cost. Poly which I have been buying for $55.00 for 5 gallons has jumped to $75.00 for 5 gallons.<br />I bought a gallon of epoxy because I like it for laminate work, and it was $40.00. Talked to a friend who makes custom sportfishermans, who is the middle of a 55 footer, and he said that there will be an increase in boat cost.

 

[BillP]

Re: Poly Resin VS. Epoxy Resin for floor repair?

If you are new to glassing with polyester resin there are a few basics that will make it easier.<br /> <br />1.Record square area and lamination schedules for each glassing session.<br />2.Measure resin and hardener amounts and ratios exactly. Record it. <br />3.Record temperature and humidity. <br />4.Record time before resin gets too difficult to "work" and time it takes to get hard.<br />5.Review each recording and adjust hardner, etc. before every glassing session. <br /><br />Over time you will have every combination of materials, kick time, temp and humidity. Then you can glass worry free by picking the combination that fits the job and weather.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Poly Resin VS. Epoxy Resin for floor repair?

It depends on your budget and what your going to do. Poly is good and is less expensive. It does have an odor also. It is not a good glue it can coat but is not as water resistant as epoxy.<br /><br />Epoxy is more expensive needs less prep. things don't have to line up as well. Resists water better than poly. Oh and it does not stink as much.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Poly Resin VS. Epoxy Resin for floor repair?

also ,, poly lets rot causing water moleculs thru like a sive.. <br /><br />epoxy does not..

 

[Mark42]

Re: Poly Resin VS. Epoxy Resin for floor repair?

If you do the final layup using epoxy over poly, will you end up with the same water repellant/proof characteristics of the epoxy?

 

[BillP]

Re: Poly Resin VS. Epoxy Resin for floor repair?

Mark42,<br />They use epoxy barrier coats on poly boats for the osmosis blisters, so yes, even a coat of epoxy resin over poly seals. On trailer boats it isn't an issue to be concerned with. Water migration isn't even an issue on the interior of large glass boats that stay in the water 24x7. 99.9% of the problems are only on the boat bottom. 99.9% of rot problems can be traced to breaks in the glass. Where there is a good glass job there are no rotten stringers. Most often, blame is placed on the polyester when it should be placed on poor craftsmanship with glassing.

 

[tengals123]

Re: Poly Resin VS. Epoxy Resin for floor repair?

i agree Bill. Although I do use epoxy for high stress area's.<br />cheers