Winter is a challenging time for epoxy products. Warmth is needed to keep the resin fluid enough for dispensing pumps to work well and cold ambient temperature can greatly reduce the curing times and may even compromise the strength of the finished work. Many of us are guilty of leaving our epoxy products in a ... More
The frosty mornings and dark evenings are drawing near. There are projects that need finishing, but what do you do when epoxy and cold weather don’t get on too well. It’s that time of year when we are keen to complete projects before the winter freeze sets in. As cold can compromise the strength of ... More
If you have to secure a screw or bolt into an area that is almost inaccessible from underneath, then this trick, using WEST SYSTEM® epoxy will prove a brilliant solution. The beauty of epoxy is that it remains a liquid for a useful working period after it has been mixed. This means it can travel ... More
Avoiding ‘orange peel’ effect You’ve applied a fresh coat of resin and hardener mix, and the coat seems to have fish-eyed into a series of tiny craters. What has caused this, and how do you prevent it from happening again? “The piece of wood in the photo is typical of what can happen when it ... More
Hamish, one of West System Technical Team, has a solution for those times when accurate application of epoxy to make a repair on a small surface is key – trim your bristles! Here he explains how to adapt your brush for a delicate repair. “WEST SYSTEM 803 Glue Brushes have one inch bristles which are excellent for priming fillet joints, ... More
THE IDEAL GLOVES Latex (white glove) is giving ground to Nitrile (blue glove) as the safety glove of choice for epoxy work. Epoxy and polyester resins can cause a dermatological reaction in some people, which is why West System International always recommends wearing gloves to prevent skin contact when working with epoxy products. In the ... More
PRIMING THE PUMPS The resin pumps simply drop into the containers via the filler cap and are screwed into place. The draw tubes are matched to the size of container, so they just clear the bottom. Make sure you have the pump set for the right pack so a 301B, for example, would fit a ... More
EXACT MIXING RATIOS Pumps make measuring the correct ratios of resin to hardener very easy. Make sure you have the right pump for the container – these are 301A for the A pack size (1kg of WEST SYSTEM 105 epoxy resin with 0.2kg of 205 Fast or 206 Slow hardener) and 301B for the B ... More
PERFECT OVERHEAD FILLETS A fillet is a gutter-shaped bead of thickened epoxy that very effectively holds two pieces of rigid material together, most typically plywood strips. It is one of the most useful types of epoxy bonding techniques for making strong and attractive joins. When attempting to apply fillets on the underside of a boat’s ... More
Seasonal hints and tips from the professionals Even though the winter is loosing its grip, we still have frosty mornings but there’s no need to stop those DIY epoxy projects at the boatyard – just make allowances for the lower temperatures and seasonal damp conditions. Keep your resin and hardener warm Epoxy resin and hardener ... More
Choosing the right glass cloth is the starting point for any successful boatbuilding or repair project. Make the right choice with our four key selection criteria says technical expert, Hamish Cook. Plain weave, biaxial stitched, twill weave, satin weave. The range of glass cloths available is huge and growing. So how can you make sure ... More
Maybe you’ve thought about using epoxy products for a project but heard a rumour they’re not good enough in some way? In part one of this myth-busting series our very own Guru of the Gooey Stuff, David Johnson, ‘cures’ a few myths about epoxy resin. Myth 1: Epoxy doesn’t stick to polyester I hear this ... More
WEST SYSTEM® epoxy is renowned for its clear finish. However, what if you just want to add a splash of colour to your epoxy? In this month’s ‘Ask Hamish’, he explains how to bring the colours of the rainbow to your next epoxy project. If you look at the range of WEST SYSTEM pigments available, ... More
Here at Epoxycraft, we spend most of our time explaining how to use epoxy with wood and plastics. But what about metals…will it stick to them? Yes it most definitely will, says our technical expert Hamish Cook – as long as you prepare the metal in the right way. I often get asked if it’s ... More
Whatever the project you’re working on, you’ll need several coats of epoxy resin and hardener. Most projects need between two and four. However many coats you’re planning on, you need to recoat at the right time and in the right way and ensure your surface is properly prepared. How you prepare a surface for recoating ... More
Here at epoxycraft you’ll normally find hints and tips for working with WEST SYSTEM® epoxy. But what about PRO-SET® epoxy? It’s typically used by professional boat builders and composite manufacturers – until now. As the new 1 kg A pack becomes available, we give you a few top tips for mixing PRO-SET epoxy resin and hardener ... More
Got a lot of epoxy filleting to do? Or quite a few holes to fill? You might want to think about using a piping bag. It’s quick, clean and easy – and below, we explain exactly how to do it. Whenever we go along to trade shows and boat shows, we typically demonstrate how to ... More
One of the great things about working with WEST SYSTEM® epoxy products is that you can really let your creative juices flow when you apply it; as long as you’ve mixed it properly, that is. So when we asked Hamish what can we use to make custom filleting tools, he explained that really, we’re only ... More
On the face of it, ‘flame-treating’ a flammable material like plastic may seem like a strange thing to do. However, this useful technique is vital for creating a better bond between epoxy and plastic. Technical expert Hamish Cook is on hand to guide you through the process. Plastic and duck feathers have a lot in ... More
We’ve all had those times when we only needed a little bit of epoxy. Maybe to fill in a chip, fix something that’s broken in the house or to glue something small together. How do you mix a small amount, properly? West System International’s very own technical advisor, Hamish Cook, explains all. I’ve had a ... More
The Merlin Rocket. The Osprey. The 505. The Mirror. The International Moth. What do all of these classic dinghy designs have in common? They’re experiencing a resurgence in popularity – and that’s largely thanks to epoxy resin. We spoke to technical guru David Johnson to find out why. Dinghy racing has its roots in the ... More
It has probably happened to us all once or twice. You’re all dressed up and just before going out the door you swing through your workshop to check on the project. Sure enough, a dab of epoxy finds its way onto your best trousers. Believe me, it has happened to me plenty of times. My ... More
Are you used to standing in a dust cloud when you mix lightweight filler into your epoxy? There’s a handy technique to avoid that. David Johnson tells all. I have to be honest – no-one ever asks us how to go about mixing a filler into epoxy. In fact, I wondered briefly if it was ... More
When you’ve spent time carefully building or renovating your boat, it seems a shame not to be as diligent with the final steps of giving your boat the perfect finish, smoothing edges and removing unwanted irregularities. A cabinet scraper will remove any trace of irregularities from the surface of an epoxy coating, making it the ... More
Do you ever need to thicken and change the colour of your epoxy – to fill a split or a screw hole perhaps? Adding sawdust or sanding dust to it can seem like a resourceful way to thicken epoxy but that’s not actually the case. Technical expert Hamish Cook explains why. 1. The chemistry doesn’t ... More
How to thin epoxy and what to consider before you do Reducing the viscosity of WEST SYSTEM® epoxy by adding a solvent can make it easier to apply, as well as penetrating deeper into porous surfaces such as partially rotten wood and saturating faster into fibreglass fabric. For these reasons, many people are attracted to ... More
When it comes to preparing a surface for epoxy application, the cleaner you make the area the better the outcome will be – any sort of contamination on the surface will likely result in reducing the adhesive power of epoxy. Surface roughening improves the strength of the adhesive bond by enabling the epoxy to mechanically ... More
There’s nothing more satisfying than applying that final finish coat after a long project. At the same time, there’s nothing more frustrating than waiting week after week for all those layers of varnish to dry. “Varnishing is often a time-laboured process…But there is a way to achieve the perfect varnish, in less than half the ... More
When it comes to protecting your wooden boat from water penetration, defence is the best form of attack. Coating with a marine epoxy like WEST SYSTEM® epoxy is the best way to waterproof surfaces and guard them from any unwanted ingress. But even the most diligent coater might miss a nook or cranny and leave ... More
Marquetry is the boatbuilder’s opportunity to get creative with their craft. But a lot of us are more technical than artistic. Luckily, there are a few quick tips that can turn even the most creatively challenged among us into a master of marquetry. With the right advice and the right products, no boatbuilding task is ... More
This month’s Trade Secret investigates how to avoid leakages when filling a hole with epoxy on a vertical surface. These techniques will help you use your epoxy effectively, keep surfaces clean and avoid waste. Thanks to the laws of gravity, filling a vertical hole is a relatively simple task. However, things become more difficult when ... More
Whatever your boat is made of it’s likely that, at some point, you’ve had to fill and fair damaged areas. Conducting a marine epoxy boat repair, as opposed to using other types of resin systems, creates a strong bond that is water resistant and easy to sand. Filling and fairing with marine epoxy is widely ... More
Fibreglass boats are known for their low maintenance and durability. However, with structural damage to the stringers a common issue, it’s essential to know how to make a replacement that will last. Although fibreglass boats tend to require less maintenance than their wooden counterparts, they’re not without problems. They suffer from many of the same ... More
Nobody wants a leaky boat. So when plywood joints start to deteriorate it’s time to start a wooden boat repair that will make sure your boat stays high and dry. Modern boat builders are frequently looking to produce designs that are lightweight, fast and strong. It’s why many of them turn to plywood. But it’s ... More
Sheathing is the process of applying an additional surface to your boat’s structure to help increase its strength and durability. Done in the correct way, using the right materials, this can significantly improve your boat’s water resistance and help to protect it against any nasty scrapes or knocks. If you wish to form the strongest ... More
Epoxy is the perfect solution to help with the common wooden boat repairs. Instead of replacing entire damaged plywood panels, damaged areas can now be cut out and bonded into place creating a strong and resilient wooden boat repair. Boatbuilding with plywood and epoxy has become a popular choice in recent years. The simplicity of this method ... More
Specialist epoxies and innovative techniques have enabled boat builders to construct boats which are lighter and tougher than ever before. David Johnson looks at the evolution of infusion technology which does so much to reduce the compromises of boatbuilding. Large boat/small boat? Cruiser/racer? Sail boat/motor boat? Aluminium/fibreglass? (Or wood? Or composite?) No matter what kind ... More
An epoxy barrier coating protects your boat from moisture and gives you a smooth, stable base which will help secure the finishing coat to protect your boat from sun damage when you’re out and about. So what’s the best way to restore this coating after it’s been damaged? Before starting the application, prepare your surfaces ... More
Dry rot is the natural decay process that causes wood to discolour, crack, shrink and – worst of all – lose its strength. Fortunately, when the worst does strike, you can rely on epoxy to save the day. In the bilges, behind cupboard doors, at the bottom of the chain locker or under the bunks; ... More
At one time, discovering a large hole in your aluminium canoe may have meant admitting defeat with a trip down to the nearest recycling bin. But, with the rising popularity of epoxy products for boat repair, there is now a long-term solution that can means your boat can withstand further knocks and pressure – and ... More
When faced with a laminate fibreglass boat repair, there are several methods which could prove effective in achieving a decent repair. But nothing gets you quite as close to the original material as vacuum bagging. Although interpreted as a more advanced method, even the least experienced epoxy DIYer can perform a repair using vacuum bagging, ... More
Varnishing the wood trims on your boat is vital for keeping the moisture out of the wood and preventing oxidisation from exposure to UV rays. If the wood is left unvarnished, moisture from dew and rain is drawn into the wood and becomes trapped causing it to swell and discolour. Varnishing also makes the wooden ... More
Struggling to create strong and resilient bonds between plastics? WEST SYSTEM® G/flex Epoxy can help – and a few simple techniques can make your work even stronger. You might not automatically reach for epoxy products when you need to bond plastics together. But WEST SYSTEM G/flex was specifically formulated to generate resilient, powerful bonds between ... More
How to thin your epoxy and what to consider before you do Reducing the viscosity of WEST SYSTEM® epoxy by adding a solvent, can be tempting. It becomes easier to roll out; it penetrates more deeply into porous surfaces such as partially rotten wood; and it saturates faster into materials like fibreglass fabric. But – ... More
WEST SYSTEM® epoxy is an invaluable resource for creating a clear coating that showcases both the beauty of the wood grain and gives you four times the thickness of a single coat of polyurethane. In just a few simple steps, you can achieve a beautiful, bubble-free wooden surface using epoxy resin. Bubbles are a frustrating ... More
Smoothing edges and removing unwanted irregularities are the final steps to giving your boat a perfect finish. A cabinet scraper is the perfect tool for the job, as it will remove all traces of irregularities from the surface of an epoxy resin coating. What’s more, a cabinet scraper is quick and relatively simple to make ... More
Top tips for installing teak decking panels using PRO-SET® ADV 170 Adhesive and utilising vacuum bagging techniques. Modern prefabricated teak decking panels are manufactured from accurate jigs that allow speedy, clean, final fit installation at the production boat manufacturers. PRO-SET ADV 170 Adhesive is a highly developed thickened, easy to use, 1:1 mix epoxy adhesive that is ... More
WEST SYSTEM G/flex® speciality epoxy is an exceptionally strong epoxy, designed to provide unbeatable grip to plastics, glass, masonry, fibreglass, wood and metals – including aluminium. So if your aluminium boat is in need of a little TLC, G/flex is a very wise investment. As well as effectively repairing leaky rivets and seams, it creates ... More
By keeping these simple ideas in mind, you can make your work with epoxy resin as straightforward and reliable as possible. Prepare to succeed Before you begin using any WEST SYSTEM® epoxy products, ensure your workshop is clean, dry and free from dust. The ideal temperature is 20-22°C, which means you should feel comfortable wearing a ... More
Are you about to start fairing a hull? It may seem like a daunting task but there are ways of making the process run more smoothly – and achieve a great smooth finish. Before using fairing boards for final faring, why not try working with a grinding device? It will remove a substantial amount of material very ... More
Getting rid of PRO-SET® and WEST SYSTEM® epoxy resin is straightforward if you follow these simple guidelines (and if you waste as little as possible in the first place…) Not having to dispose of epoxy is easier than having to dispose of epoxy – so it’s always a good idea to try and minimise waste while ... More
So you’ve just pulled your boat from the water, only you’ve noticed blisters in your gelcoat. Now if you leave it, they may disappear, right? Wrong. If you ignore the damage then it could mean greater trials further down the line. That could mean a massive overhaul of your hull… gelcoat removal… a full-blown barrier coat ... More
Defending wood from water penetration is key to making a wooden boat look smart for longer. Coating with marine epoxy, is a great strategy for waterproofing surfaces and preventing wood rot. But there are some potential weak points in your structure’s epoxy armour that many people forget to sort out. Screw holes, even if coated ... More
When it comes to preparing a surface for epoxy application, the best advice is to follow the mantra cleanliness is next to godliness. If your surface isn’t clean before you begin, you’ll be making life harder for yourself in the long run as contamination actually reduces the adhesive power of epoxy. To ensure your epoxy ... More
Everyone likes the appeal of a well-varnished wood trim on boats. But these days world, waiting two weeks for the twelve layers of varnish to dry just isn’t feasible. In the UK, that’s pretty much the whole summer! But, never fear there’s a way you can still spend your summer out on the water in ... More
If you need strength and adhesion in a hurry, or if you’re worried about mixing epoxy accurately or don’t have the right tools to hand, WEST SYSTEM® Six10® pre-mixed adhesive could be the trade secret you’re looking for. Six10 is a two-part, pre-thickened epoxy adhesive, perfect for stitch-and-glue boat construction, fibreglass laminate repair and general ... More
How do you stop the mattress on your boat from getting mouldy and damp? Strategically placed ventilation holes in the plywood bunk bases have long been used a strategy for preventing this. But, before long, the veneer on the plywood often starts to split. Classic Boat has run a feature on how you can guard ... More
Before every epoxy application comes the crucial step of dispensing the quantities of resin and hardener you need. Getting this right will mean you’re well on the way to achieving a high-strength WEST SYSTEM® epoxy solid. Remember, curing epoxy generates heat so be sure not to leave the dispensed epoxy to stand for the full pot life ... More
Necessity is indeed the mother of invention. I’m sure we’re all guilty of making do with the wrong tool when the right one has gone walkabout. You know, knocking in nails with the end of the spirit level, that sort of thing. Actually, though, some tools you’ll have lying around the workshop could actually be very ... More