epoxy

in to deep

Seaman
Joined
Nov 6, 2009
Messages
62
was looking at bondo fiberglass resin any one know if this stuff is any good???
got a 1979 orion 19' open bow that i had the floor replaced once before that is rotten again so i decided to DIY!! just to find out nothing was sealed like the job was sold to me:( !!! i am on a very tight budget the way the economy is going and my boss threatening to lay off more people if this president turn this country into socialist!!!! i get to go home for a day and a half and this boat is the only thing that keeps me from blowing a head gasket at home and the wife saying im spending to much on that dam boat
napa has some resin that $63.00 a gallon the bondo stuff at home depote is half the price ???? does that mean it last half as long?????
this will be my first try at fiberglassing and i would like to seall all the wood this time like i was told it should have been done 10 years ago
thanks for any and all help!!!!
 

cougar1985

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Oct 7, 2005
Messages
1,023
Re: epoxy

Though far from a expert, i do know that epoxy resin is far superior to polyester resin, which is your cheap stuff!
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
Joined
May 19, 2001
Messages
26,065
Re: epoxy

Welcome to iboats.

Before you invest in fiberglass or epoxy what are you trying to seal up? Is it wood that was not previously done? Is it wet?

We stay away from all political comments so I will leave it at that.

Take some time and read through our great restoration section so you know what is ahead. What is the condition of the boat? The wood? It sounds as if someone took a shortcut and did a "band aid" repair and you are planing on fixing it right. How are the stringers???
 

bigredinohio

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 18, 2009
Messages
604
Re: epoxy

Just an FYI that Bondo isn't epoxy, it's polyester based resin with the wax additive for a complete cure. If you use that stuff, be sure to sand in between layups after it cures.

For the budget, you are probably better off using poly resin and would recommend pricing online at places such at US Composites before buying at local stores. Price of the resin doesn't really play a role in determining the life span on a glassing job, the quality of work does along with the care of the boat afterwards.

There are many different opinions regarding the different uses of materials such as epoxy vs. poly. Although epoxy has better bonding abilities and is stronger, it does cost a lot of money and is more dangerous to use where poly is a fraction of the cost with no real known health issues. One must decide what qualities works best in their circumstances.

Good luck with the boat and good luck with your employment. I agree with Bob VT, we like to talk about boats here, not politics.
 

in to deep

Seaman
Joined
Nov 6, 2009
Messages
62
Re: epoxy

Sorry about the politics!!! but when no one wants to talk about it but then complain and then still do nothing but pay more of our money! then all we can really do then is kick our own selfs in the behind and then go back and shove are heads back into the clam hole!!!

i got a 1979 orion 19' open bow 140hp 4cyl Chevy with a 400 omc inboard-outboard it is a deep V haul and of all the boats i have had this one does the best in high waves in the ocean!!
back in 1998 i had the floor (deck for you hard corers) and stringers replaced i was sold a a boat repair shop (no longer in business) that they would reseal all the new wood in epoxy and new fiberglass and there would be no way for the wood to rot again!!!
took the boat out in Aug. Salmon fishing and hooked a nice fish just to have my foot go through the floor (deck) can you say swear words galore????
i have never done a boat restore before but i am a firm believer that if you want it done right you most of the time have to do it your self!!!
so i cut the new rotten floor out to find nothing was seal not even the stringers!!! and on the sides of the center bilge were the foam is was full of water!!! and all the wood was soaked in water!!!

my plan is to put all new wood in and treat the wood with some kind of rot resistant chemical and then cover that with an epoxy of some kind?? and then fiberglass the stringers in place and the same with the new floor (deck)
and was having a fantasy of putting in a V-6 Chevy but found out that the gear ratio would not work!!!
i have done some reading on this great site in this forum and thanks for all of your inputs but still i am a $$$$$$ pickle and need to keep the cost low but do not wish to skimp on quality:D !!!! also i am replacing the transom as the water rotted the bottom part of it this was a pain to cut out a thin covering of resin on the outside then a sheet of plywood then a sheet of fiberglass then a sheet of plywood then the outside skin of the boat!!
was thinking here was to cut 2 sheets of xl-10 plywood and covering both in a resin-epoxy???? and epoxying both sheets together then fiberglassing both sheets in place??? is this do-able???? or does any one here have a better plan
i thank you all for your info and help Bill
 

jdsgrog

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 19, 2007
Messages
480
Re: epoxy

I could see why those guys when out of business!

I don't believe Bondo is epoxy as someone mentioned, but polyester. I'd stay away from the stuff. As for the floor, I don't believe you need to treat the plywood and stringers with some chemicals. You just need to seal it with epoxy. On the top of floor, you want to cover it not only with epoxy, but also some sort of fiberglass cloth to be more abrasion resistant and then paint it with some uv resistant paint. Use a decent quality plywood for the floor, with as few voids as possible.

When epoxy and the cloth or mat cures, it is strong stuff. Just be sure to apply it properly and study before you start. Will save you both time and money.
 

markwln

Cadet
Joined
Oct 4, 2009
Messages
26
Re: epoxy

I think the polyester is just as strong,that is what they used for building it. I just finished floor and stringers etc. bought it bulk.
 
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