Question Re: epoxies

[trepka2001]

I'm re-doing my foredeck due to core rot and my question is, what's the difference between the epoxies resins you buy at home depot/lowes vs. the resins you buy from west, jamestown dist. etc. other than the PRICE $$$$$.

I've read alot of different posts etc. on the subject and it seems that there is alot of different theories......can anyone help??

Thanks in advance!!!!!!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Question Re: epoxies

I don't know about the epoxy from Home Depot or Lowes, because I havent seen it for sale in the stores by me.

But I can tell you that the more expensive epoxies are 100% solids, no filler, no thiners. Cheaper epoxies have filler and thinners. The thinners evaporate leaving you less epoxy, and fillers do not add to the strength.

Also, epoxy gets something called anime blush, which is a waxy substance that forms on the surface of cured epoxy. Non blushing epoxy is available, and it is not as strong as blushing epoxy. So you pay more, and get a weaker product. The blush that formed on my epoxy washed off very easy with just dish soap and water and a soft scrub brush. Hardly any effort at all.

Read the label and see what the contents are from the home centers, it may tell you a lot.

 

[trepka2001]

Re: Question Re: epoxies

thank you

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Question Re: epoxies

Either they don't sell epoxy at the H/D stores in my area, or I'm just not looking in the right place because I've never seen it either.

 

[daviscfad]

Re: Question Re: epoxies

dunno about home depot but i think lowes has it in the paint section with the glues and cleaning solvents

 

[AlanDS]

Re: Question Re: epoxies

Hi TrepKa,

I've used the following:

* System 3
* West
* Mas
* U.S. Composites
* Raka

Mostly, I've them for structural purposes, though I did build a kayak with Mas... The clear finish was great.

For strength, all should do well as long as you follow the manufacturer's directions. For clear finish, I tend to go with Mas... Just keep in mind that all epoxy needs UV protection.

Me? I tend to go for the cheapest... With shipping, U.S. Composites ends up around $75/gal to $100/gal in 5 gal batches. (and that includes pumps, fillers, resin, and hardener.) But ask around... A guy on a wooden boat forum called some local boatyards and got resin and hardener for $42/gal.

Good luck,

Alan

 

[Bondo]

Re: Question Re: epoxies

what's the difference between the epoxies resins you buy at home depot/lowes vs. the resins you buy from west, jamestown dist. etc. other than the PRICE $$$$$.

Ayuh,...

My Guess is,... You're comparing Apples,+ Oranges....

The Only resins I've ever seen at the Box Stores is Polyester,... Not Epoxy...

 

[gcboat]

Re: Question Re: epoxies

I guess living in a 'marine' related community out local Home Depot does carry epoxy resin - mfg. by Bond-o. Two quart cans - one blue one white. It is laminating epoxy. Supply and demand I suppose.

 

[i386]

Re: Question Re: epoxies

Yup, Bond-O does make a product called Marine Epoxy Resin though I have never seen it in a store. Like everyone else is saying, Bond-O Fiberglass Resin is Polyester.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: Question Re: epoxies

I work at Blows i mean lowes and you are seeing that polly not epoxy. The only epoxy that is sold is for finishing table tops and things and is not the same as epoxy for marine use. I think you are looking at that resin that is elmers brand. It is actually a waxed poly resin that i have used. It is good for a finishing resin cause it has that wax in it but is different than epoxy.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Question Re: epoxies

Your store may have the Bondo Epoxy, if they do then it can be used with no problems, I've haven't seen the price, so I don't know if it's the best way to go though.

As far as it being good enough for use.
It will be a better product than any polyester you could buy, so even if it's not the best epoxy, it's still a good product. This refers to it's strength and water resistance.

Now is it easy to use for what you want to do, that's a different question. Some epoxies can be difficult to work with, so unless someone here has used it before and can compare it to other brands there's no way to tell.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Question Re: epoxies

I didn't see it at Lowes either, but not to say it does not exist in the right area. Wally worlds here close to lakes will carry a lot more boat stuff than others. However, what I did find was that the quantities I could find locally were small and when doing a bigger job the cost was too much. buying online in bulk was much cheaper.