epoxy

[UK-Brian]

I was wondering what you all thought about using a bar/table top epoxy as a coating. I have access to 6 cases of this stuff vvveeerryy cheap! so what do you think, can I make this type work? I know i will still have to coat with a UV protective layer.


thanks, Brian

[dh]

How thick is it? I would imagine it is to thick to really soak into the wood and just sit on top, especially important on the edges. I was going to use that stuff to make my countertop out of plywood covered with pennies, but then figured up how much that would weigh and forgot about it.

[Artificer]

Take a look at US Composites.

The epoxy table top resin is cautioned about being too thick to use the measuring pumps. To me, this means it will not wet out as well. If you spread resin on the surface, apply the cloth, and then apply more resin, it MIGHT wet out properly. Other than no specs on pot life, if you have it, I would try it. Since you will probably use it as a water seal, instead of a structural use, I don't see a problem.

Would you use it straight like a counter-top, or with fiberglass?

Michael

[UK-Brian]

well I was hoping to use it with fiberglass material. can epoxy be thinned? but it should be a good water seal for ply edges just the way it is right?

[Troy Palmer]

First, an epoxy has no resistance to UV. Sure you can top coat it with a urethane- but the you will be using a clear urethane which has little UV resistance. Meaning the BAR TOP will turn yellow and milky. The down side of the coating is hardness- it will become very hard and brittle- meaning is will crack. You need something flexable on wood- remember wood will expand and contract with moisture and changes in tempature. I would recommend a SPAR for exterior exposure if you need a clear.

[madjack]

Brian, epoxy resins, unlike polyester resins are not meant to be thinned...I have tried with very little success in thinning them(not saying it can't be done, I just have not had very good luck doing so)...the table top epoxy is VERY thick and will not easily wet out FG cloth, nor will it soak into the wood very well...I know it is tempting to go for the "low price" BUT, I would probably give it a pass...but that's just me...my epoxy recommendation is for the non-blushing system from www.raka.com ...others are probably just as good but I have had excellent results with the RAKA products....................
madjack

[Artificer]

Madjack: thanks for that. My main concern with it was proper wetting out of the fiberglass. Since that will not work, cheap is still a waste of money.

Brian: I just fiberglassed the top/front of a rimple style trailer. A single layer of 20oz roving was all I used. 4' x ~ 10', and I used around 1/4 of the gallon kit I purchased. 2:1 ratio, so total volume is 1.5gallons (US), and it cost $69 plus shipping. For the moderate cost of the resin, the pain and suffering of a bad glassing job just doesn't make sense.

Michael

[Larry C]

I was wondering what you all thought about using a bar/table top epoxy as a coating. I have access to 6 cases of this stuff vvveeerryy cheap! so what do you think, can I make this type work? I know i will still have to coat with a UV protective layer.


thanks, Brian

Brian,
I don't think the table top resin is considered structural, and as Mad jack said, it's too thick to wet out glass.

The determining factor for the amount of resin needed to wetout and bury the fiberglass is the weight/thickness of the cloth or roving. I don't think you need anything heavier than 6oz cloth for as teardrop. I am using 3.25oz tight weave which uses much less epoxy to wetout/bury the glass.

There are lots of good epoxies available, but Raka non blush is a great choice for price/performance.

$.02

Larry C

[StPatron]

UK-Brian,

My apologies for a late response, just noticed this thread.

Your "bar/table top epoxy" may be suitable. Coating table-tops and game boards remains popular and therefore some suppliers are using this advertising angle with their descriptions.

The viscosity of epoxy resins is measured in CPS (not to be confused with the product CPES). CPS for the RAKA product mentioned is 600, for example. Using that number as a guide, if you could research your product's CPS rating you may be in luck.

Worth a try.