Epoxy vs. GrizzlyGrip

[crazycyclist]

Ok, it's official. I hate epoxy!

I've got three coats on my walls but its just nasty stuff. I have learned a few things.

Pay for the good stuff - Yes you can get get for $35 at Home Depot but West Systems epoxy is worth the money! Slower drying=less panic. Lower viscosity=fewer flow problems. Less odor=better health. Clearer=prettier.

But I still have to wonder... Would it be easier to just go with GrizzlyGrip and be done with it.

If you had to choose between the two which would you choose and why? What would be your concerns with your choice?

[doug hodder]

Sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with epoxy Mel. I think which one you choose depends on how you want the finished product to look. I only did a quick look at the Grizzly grip site, mostly looking at the boats section. It doesn't have a clear system to show off the wood at least from what I read, but it's late at night. If you are wanting to build a woody, it might not be the way to go if you want to show off the grain in a premium finish. If it's going to be painted and you aren't concerned on just how smooth the final coat/ paint is...that just might be the way to go.

I've had good luck using West Systems product, never had a failure when using the pumps and prescribed methods. I'm sure the other epoxy systems on the market are the same in results. I've done a couple of boats and a number of tears. I'll stick with what I know. The grizzly has a rubber component incorporated in the system, so I really don't know anything about how it might work. I don't think anyone has posted any info on this product before, but I could be wrong. I'm thinking it's more of a industrial type of coating, as opposed to a high end type finish. Kinda depends on what you want for the final look and how you want to use it. Sounds like it would take more of a beating than a typical epoxy...but all my trailers are asphalt queens! Just my opinion. Doug

[Wimperdink]

I've not seen epoxy at my local Home Depot. I know they have elmers brand Polyester resin. If thats what your using I agree. Its some horrible stuff. I found out the hard way that it has to be covered to dry. It leaves a waxy coating on the surface that never really cures. I've since moved to using Mas epoxy and and never turned back. The extra expense was well worth the change.

[madjack]

Mel, like W said, I don't believe what you got from HD was not epoxy resin but rather polyester resin, commonly called "fiberglass" resin...these are two completely different animals...compared to epoxy, polyester has a very picky work period, is more brittle, has more fumes and is just generally a pain in the but to work with, especially in larger batches on larger work pieces...I use RAKA non-blushing epoxy, it has a 30min+work time, is self leveling, has a much lower fumes level and sets clear...good stuff...........
madjack

p.s. Grizzly Grip over the top of epoxy should make for a formidable finish....................MJ

[kennyrayandersen]

GrizzlyGrip looks like some type of rubberized paint. Also, it seems pretty textured. If you want a smooth finish, that don't look like it will work, but if you are painting over an epoxy fabric, then it looks like it would probably be OK. Before I had my bed liner on my pick-em-up truck done, I checked into some DIY systems, but in the end too many people didn't seem so happy with them, so I had a liner company shoot it on. It looks good, and has been holding up well. The DIY liners take a lot more abuse than a tear though, so it would probably be fine for that. One other comment was that fade seems to be a bit of a problem with some systems, so I'd read up a little before I chose a particular one and see whether anyone has had trouble with it.