Epoxy clear resin

[Alexam]

Looking for supplier in UK for epoxy resin that will hold fast and be clear for filling voids to look good, but also that can be coloured if required. I have seen the West Epoxy 105 - 205 which looks good, but should I consider others?
Malcolm

 

[Phil Pascoe]

http://www.cfsnet.co.uk/ Do a quite good catalogue and I'm sure would give you the advice you need were it not there.

 

[custard]

West isn't the clearest epoxy around, it's a superb product for many applications but it won't deliver the crystal clear finish that you're looking for. I've not looked at every epoxy available, but what I've found is that some of the five minute epoxies tend to give the clearest finish. Look for ones that emphasise non-yellowing or crystal clear on the packaging.

If you're really serious about very long term non yellowing epoxy then you have to go to some of the more exotic epoxies/resins that use a UV light source for curing.

 

[Alexam]

Thanks. I am looking for clear as possible, but have not use epoxy before. Are they all very hard and could be used to effectively glue two planks with voids, better than usual glues?

I was looking at this test, which shows the west 205 as possibly the clearest? http://www.oneoceankayaks.com/Epoxtest.htm
Malcolm

 

[raywrightfive]

The only epoxy I now use is the DIY Time brand from Poundland for small fills mixed with a little sawdust for colour
And adding rubber feet to the underside of projects buy one for a pound and give it a test

 

[Alexam]

Thanks Ray, but I'm looking more to larger voids, not small ones. I want to use the defects to encompas them as part of the work and not always fill them in. The small two part DIY's are not going to be enough.

Rather surprised that not many people seem to have used this.

Malcolm

 

[marcros]

how big are the voids, Alex? This will make a difference to what can be recommended. I got https://www.ecfibreglasssupplies.co.uk/ ... c-catalyst to make some paperweights, which sounds like it may do what you want, but I don't have enough experience with resins to advise you fully.

I would recommend giving east coast fibreglass a call. They are very good, very helpful and reasonably priced.

 

[Alexam]

This block is anout 12" x 5" but voids in some others could be larger or wider.

I wanted to try clear on this, but may wish to colour other voids depending on how it looks. I like the look of the West 105 - 205 but have no idea of using epoxy and would need it to hold the split firmly as I presume all epoxys do.
Malcolm

 

[sunnybob]

West has an extremely good reputation.
But i think its a "suck it and see" decision.

 

[MikeJhn]

There are in general terms two distinct types of Resin's, Polyester and Epoxy, both have different properties, the Polyester resins use an exciter catalyst that pull the polymer chain together and move on to the next hair in the chain, but only if they are not caught in a area that has already set, therefore they shrink, Epoxy resins use a catalyst that binds to the hairs in the chain and therefore do not move on to the next chain, therefore less shrinkage and the requirement to mix properly to ensure all of the chains in the resin have sufficient catalyst touching the whole of the polyester chain, there are lots of other types of resins, extended with fillers etc, but as I said in general the two types are as mentioned, hope that helps.

Mike

 

[marcros]

have a look on youtube about making wood and resin coffee tables- the process will be much the same and voids similar in size.

 

[Alexam]

Thanks Mike & marcros.

I didn't know what the difference was, save it being for solid stability, but the polyester doesn't seem appropriate in this instance. I have been looking at the videos on filling voids in table tops and the coloured wide voids in coffee table and that's more the sort of thing I need .... I think! I will have to take the plunge and try some to seeif it's right, but it does open up another avenue that I have been thinking about. Variety is the Spice of Life!
Malcolm

 

[woodbloke65]

Looking for supplier in UK for epoxy resin that will hold fast and be clear for filling voids to look good, but also that can be coloured if required. I have seen the West Epoxy 105 - 205 which looks good, but should I consider others?
Malcolm

Try the Poundland epoxy. Cheap as chips (only a pound!) and pretty good stuff...nice and clear when it sets. The last time I was in my local PL I bought almost their entire stock - Rob

 

[Paddy Roxburgh]

I use West Systems a lot and it's great stuff, particularly for marine applications. However I don't think I would use it in this scenario mostly because it has a really long cure time and also because it is so expensive. The cure time might not matter to you but for me, when I want to fill up a crack or a knot I don't want to have to leave it 12 hours before sanding. The cost is such that I only use it when cheaper alternatives won't cut it. The suggestion of pound shop epoxy or lidl epoxy (when they have it) are actually worth considering. You only have to spend a pound to do a test and see if it is clear enough for your purpose.
Paddy

 

[Alexam]

Just ordered a pack of the West 105-205 from Rest Express to see how it goes.
Thanks for all the help
Malcolm

 

[mbartlett99]

No one mentioned the words hot pot so I'd better if you've not used it before. Mix up too much epoxy in one pot and it can get a little exciting - its an exothermic reaction and can start smoking. It won't be the first i've I've sprinted out of the engine room smoking pot of resin in hand and chucked it.

 

[n0legs]

I've used this on wood and it is crystal clear.
http://www.mouldcraft.co.uk/shop/457290 ... ting-resin

 

[MikeJhn]

I think I have mentioned it before, but not in this thread, Sainsbury have a rather nice steak and kidney pudding that comes in a plastic deep dish that epoxy does not stick to, just let the epoxy go off, flex the pot and it flakes off, not melted one yet. :wink:

Forgot to mention, lighter fluid is a good cleaner for excess epoxy where you have inadvertently put it.

Mike

 

[Droogs]

Alexam, bit late to this but I use the stuff below. It is absolutely crystal clear when set. It's used for cold casting metal powders and by that eejit who stuffed half a cow in a block of it at the Tate:

http://www.easycomposites.co.uk/#!/resi ... resin.html

That aside it is excellent stuff

 

[galleywood]

Alexam

This was posted recently.

epoxy-resin-table-corner-t104132.html

The YouTube video gives details of the resin and a design of a stirrer.