Next Question - Fast, Medium, Slow Hardening Epoxy and Why?

[Alfred]

Hey Gang!

I remember a thread where someone mentioned this fellow who sold epoxy at a less expensive price and free shipping. I cannot find the info now, anyone else have it?

Thanks!

Al in Asheville!

[Wimperdink]

possibly raka.com ? He's got excellent prices but not sure of shipping.

[madjack]

possibly raka.com ? He's got excellent prices but not sure of shipping.

...actually it was someone else...I remember the thread but have no idea where it was...seems some fellah had access to barrels of the stuff and willing to sell it cheap/inexpensively...infer what you will to that...I can't speak at all to the quality of his product or exactly what he had for sale or even his knowledge about what he was selling, but I would rather deal with someone with a proven track record of knowing what they are talking about such as the folks over at RAKA(my pick), West Systems, System3 or MAS...a REALLY good price is not necessarily a really GOOD price...nowattimean........
madjack

p.s. I'm not sure, if the above came out too negatively...that, was not my intention...if someone out there knows whereof they speak AND has a good deal on epoxy, give us a shout out...always folks looking for a way to trim expenses...MJ

[rmclarke]

Hi

I think the guy you're refering to is JGreer. He runs AeroMarine Products outta San Diego.
I've used System Three on my boat and it is great stuff. I also bought JGreer's AeroMarine 300/21 and it too, is great stuff...(in fact, I'm about to order another gallon and a half from him). He shipped in a timely manner and I've had no problems..

This is in no way a product endorsement ya know

Richard

[doug hodder]

Wasn't it GlassIce?....he hasn't been around for a long time. Doug

[Juneaudave]

Raka is pretty inexpensive and has a proven track record. US Composites ( US Composites) is even less expensive, and I've heard of canoe/kayak builders who have used it with success. I've never tried it though, could be some draw backs with blushing and temp susceptability...Might be worth some research to check it out though...Dave

[Alfred]

Hi Gang,

I do think it was RAKA, but I am going to check some of the other places you all mentioned, too.

Thanks, AL.

[Alfred]

OK, do I want the fast, medium or slow(?) epoxy?

I feel like this is the straightline to a ribald joke!

AL.

[Juneaudave]

OK, do I want the fast, medium or slow(?) epoxy?

I feel like this is the straightline to a ribald joke!

AL.

I've heard good things about the special non-blushing raka hardener. I don't think you have a choice on fast or slow, but call Larry at RAKA (call on the phone, email isn't their strong suite), describe what you want to do, and he'll help you out.

I use MAS epoxy because I don't have an allergic reaction to it. I also use the slow hardener by personal preference....and it is pretty slow so not everyone will like it. The reason why I like slow is that I can wet out the glass in the evening and it is open long enough to get things just right...then I can go to bed, wake up early...and put coats two and three at my leisure on the following day without worrying about losing the chemical bond.

If I'm not glassing and just coating with epoxy, medium works well for me. That's a much faster process.

[SlyTerry]

Depend how fast you can work. Room Temp and Humidity are key. Slow will be your best bet because you can always wait until it cures, all you loose is some time. If you take too long the the fast hardener and it starts gelling it is garbage; and with the price of resins it wont take too long to waste a good chunk of change. With any resins the idea is to mix it thoroughly and them transfer it into the largest metal plate or pan you can find. This allows the endothermic heat to be dissipated through the metal and delay the gelling process in the pan without affecting the overall cure time. Another brand to look at is East Systems. They are about 25% less costly; and having used most brands over the last five years I would say they are just as good if not better than the others.

my 2cents worth