Ever seen those pesky cracks or scratches on your fibreglass boat? Most of the time, they’re just cosmetic, but they can really annoy you. Thankfully, epoxy’s a lifesaver! WEST SYSTEM® Epoxy can be used for creating a super strong, waterproof fibreglass repair that’s perfect for fixing those surface dings. In this section, we’ll tackle how ... Repairing Minor Cracks & Holes in a Fibreglass Boat More
When it comes to epoxy adhesives for marine, automotive, and household applications, G/flex 650 Toughened Epoxy and G/flex 655 Thickened Epoxy are two top contenders. Both are renowned for their strength and durability, but each offers unique benefits tailored to specific needs. G/flex 650 Toughened Epoxy G/flex 650 is a versatile, liquid epoxy with a ... G/flex® 650 vs. 655: Choosing the Right Epoxy Adhesive More
The WEST SYSTEM Epoxy A pack is a trustworthy solution for a wide range of repair, maintenance, and construction needs. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular and efficient uses of this product. Boatbuilding and Marine Repairs One of the main applications of the A pack is in repair work. Its ... What Can You Do With a WEST SYSTEM® Epoxy A Pack? More
WEST SYSTEM® Epoxy is celebrated for its flexibility. Those with experience value the understanding of the fundamental attributes of WEST SYSTEM fillers, hardeners, and additives, as it allows them to customise and utilise them uniquely for their specific requirements. This manual will guide you on how to mix G/flex® epoxy with other WEST SYSTEM epoxies. ... Guide to Mixing G/flex Epoxy with Other WEST SYSTEM Epoxies More
Marine repair expert, Andy Miller, conducted an experiment to test a long-standing belief in the boating world: Can polyester-based materials, like gelcoat, bond with epoxy? This question is particularly relevant for users of WEST SYSTEM®, an established marine-grade epoxy. In his two-part YouTube video series, Miller mimicked real-world repair conditions and focused on three key ... Can Gelcoat and Epoxy Bond? More
How can getting the dispensing ratios wrong impact your epoxy project? Well, when you’re starting an epoxy project, the first thing you need to do is to get the right amounts of resin and hardener. It’s super important to find the right mix! The balance between the resin and hardener determines how strong and hard ... How Do You Achieve the Perfect Mix with WEST SYSTEM® Epoxy? More
Noticed Blisters in Your Gelcoat? What’s Next? You’ve just pulled your boat out of the water. There, you see it – blisters in your gelcoat. Ignoring them might seem like the easy way out, but it’s not. Neglect could lead to bigger problems like a complete hull overhaul, gelcoat removal, or even a full barrier ... Repairing Gelcoat Blisters on a Fibreglass Boat Using Six10® Epoxy? 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. How to Navigate the Wide Range of Glass Cloths? Plain weave, biaxial stitched, twill weave, satin weave. The range of glass cloths available is ... What Glass Cloth Should You Choose for Your Boatbuilding Project? More
Working with WEST SYSTEM® Epoxy products opens up a world of creativity. The key to success is proper mixing. However, what happens when you want to make custom filleting tools? According to Hamish, your options are only limited by your imagination. Why is Epoxy So Versatile? Epoxy is incredibly versatile. In fact, you can use a variety of tools ... What Materials Can You Use to Make Custom Filleting Tools? More
Have you ever considered using epoxy resin for a project but been hesitant due to circulating rumours? In the first instalment of our epoxy myths busting series, our in-house technical expert, David Johnson, debunks common misconceptions about this versatile material. Myth 1: Epoxy Doesn’t Stick to Polyester Experienced boatyards and yacht surveyors widely understand that ... 10 Myths About Epoxy: Cured! 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. What Makes Six10 a Perfect Choice for Various Applications? Six10 is a two-part, pre-thickened epoxy adhesive, perfect ... Why Choose Pre-Mixed Adhesive for Quick and Quality Results? More
Water damage can significantly shorten the lifespan of a wooden boat. So, how can you defend your boat against water penetration and keep it looking smart for longer? How Does Marine Epoxy Help in Waterproofing Surfaces? Coating with marine epoxy is a fantastic strategy for waterproofing surfaces and preventing wood rot. However, there are some ... How Can You Protect Your Wooden Boat from Water Damage? More
There’s something about a well-varnished wood trim on boats that catches the eye, isn’t there? But let’s be honest, the traditional method can feel like it’s taking forever. Waiting two weeks for twelve layers of varnish to dry? That’s an entire summer if you’re in the UK! Can We Speed Up the Varnishing Process? You ... Want Quick, Well-Varnished Wood For Your Boat’s Trim? More
In the realm of DIY and home improvement, the saying “necessity is the mother of invention” rings true. We’ve all found ourselves in situations where we’ve had to improvise with the wrong tool. This usually happens because the right one has mysteriously disappeared. But what if you could repurpose some of the tools already in ... How Can a Razor Blade Be Used in Your Workshop? More
In the days of each and everyone of us adapting our lives to be more environmentally friendly when working with epoxy, there is always a way to minimise your leftovers. David Johnson uses his many years of epoxy experience to offer insights into ways he has become savvy with epoxy waste. What Techniques Does David ... How Can You Minimise Epoxy Waste? More
What’s the Issue with Boat Mattresses Getting Mouldy and Damp? Boat owners often face a common problem. Dampness. It seeps into the mattress, causing mould. The culprit? Lack of ventilation. But, what’s the solution? The traditional fix has been simple. Ventilation holes in the plywood bunk bases. But this leads to another issue. The veneer ... How Can I Prevent Plywood from Splitting with Epoxy Resin? 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 ... How to Work With Epoxy in Cold Weather? 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 ... What are the Efficient Techniques for Mixing Lightweight Filler into Epoxy Resin? More
Why is Cleanliness So Crucial When Applying Epoxy? When you’re preparing a surface for an epoxy application, cleanliness isn’t just important, it’s absolutely crucial. You see, if your surface isn’t clean before you begin, you’re setting yourself up for a tougher job down the line. Why? Because contamination can actually reduce the adhesive power of ... How Does Ensuring a Clean Surface Lead To a Strong Epoxy Bond? More
Why is Warm Weather Ideal for DIY Tasks with Epoxy? It’s that glorious time of year when the sun is shining, the weather is warm, and we’re ready to tackle those DIY tasks and hobbies. There are projects waiting to be started and others that need finishing. But how can you maximise the use of ... Top Tips for Working with Epoxy in Warm Weather? More
Learn the basic techniques! Whether you plan on bonding, laminating, filleting, fairing, or applying fabrics, the success of the application depends not only on the strength of the epoxy, but also on how well the epoxy adheres to the surface to which it is being applied. Why is Surface Preparation Important? “Surface preparation is one ... Basic Techniques of Surface Prep for Repairs on Wooden Boats? More
Have You Ever Spilled Epoxy ? Need to remove epoxy from fabrics? We’ve all been there. You’re dressed to impress, ready to leave the house, and you decide to take a quick peek at your ongoing project in the workshop. And then, disaster strikes – a drop of epoxy lands on your favourite outfit. Why ... Remove Epoxy From Your Clothes? More
Why Is Winter a Challenge for Epoxy Products? Winter can be tough on epoxy products. They need warmth to stay fluid enough for dispensing pumps to work well. Cold temperatures can slow down curing times and may even weaken the finished work. Many of us have left our epoxy products in a cold garage or ... How Can I Make a Hotbox to Keep Epoxy Warm in Winter? 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 ... The Great Sponge Trick 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 ... Ask Hamish- Avoiding ‘orange peel’ effect 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, ... How to adapt your glue brush for a delicate repair on a small surface 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 ... Epoxy Tips – The Ideal Gloves 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 ... Epoxy Tips – Priming The Pumps 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 ... Epoxy Tips – Exact Mixing Ratios 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 ... Epoxy Tips – Perfect Overhead Fillets More
One of the key advantages of learning from the experts is that you pick up some great tips for saving time and money when using epoxy products. Here are some from the recent Beginners Course held at WEST SYSTEM Warehouse in Romsey: Suffering hair loss? “You’ll get through a lot of cheap brushes when working ... The Top Tips for Beginners from the WEST SYSTEM® Course? 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 ... Tricks of the Trade 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, ... We asked Hamish: can you colour epoxy? 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 ... We asked Hamish: can you use epoxy with metals? 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 ... 3 ways to prepare a surface for recoating in epoxy 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 ... How to mix 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 ... Using a piping bag with epoxy 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 ... We asked Hamish…How do you flame-treat plastic? 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 ... Why epoxy is re-energising the racing dinghy 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 ... How to make and use a scraper on epoxy More
What are the best practices for thinning epoxy resin and what factors should you consider before starting the process? Adding a solvent to WEST SYSTEM® Epoxy reduces its viscosity, making it easier to apply. This also allows it to penetrate deeper into porous surfaces like partially rotten wood and saturate faster into fibreglass fabric. For ... Essential Guide to Thinning Epoxy 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 ... Three reasons not to thicken epoxy with sawdust – and what to do instead 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 ... Ensuring clean surfaces makes for a strong epoxy bond 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 ... How to effectively varnish – in under a week 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 ... Avoid unnecessary wooden boat repairs with marine epoxy 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 ... Eight steps to mastering marquetry 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 ... TRADE SECRET: Filling a horizontal hole with epoxy 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 ... Filling and fairing with marine epoxy 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 ... TRADE SECRET: Fibreglass boat repair – replacing stringers 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 ... TRADE SECRET: Wooden boat repair – rebuilding a plywood joint 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 ... TRADE SECRET: Sheathing with WEST SYSTEM epoxy 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 ... TRADE SECRET: Wooden boat repairs – replacing damaged plywood sections 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 ... Strong and light: the evolution of the epoxy infusion revolution 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 ... Using epoxy to repair barrier coating 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; ... TRADE SECRET: Wooden boat repair – repairing localised dry rot with epoxy 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 ... TRADE SECRET: How to patch holes in aluminium boats with G/flex epoxy 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, ... TRADE SECRET: Fibreglass boat repair: repairing laminates 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 ... TRADE SECRET: Save time varnishing by first sealing timber with epoxy 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 ... TRADE SECRET: Using WEST SYSTEM® G/Flex® to bond plastics securely 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 – ... TRADE SECRET: Thinning epoxy: Best practice guidance for reducing the viscosity of WEST SYSTEM epoxy 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 ... How to create the perfect epoxy coating on wood 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 ... TRADE SECRET: How to make and use a scraper on epoxy resin 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 ... TRADE SECRET: Installing teak decking panels using vacuum bagging 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 ... TRADE SECRET: How to fix a leaking aluminium boat with epoxy 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 ... Four expert tips to use epoxy resin effectively 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 ... TRADE SECRET: Top tips for easy sanding with WEST SYSTEM epoxy More