Re: [Paddlewise] Wave~Length: epoxy problems

From: Nick Schade <schade_at_guillemot-kayaks.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Feb 1998 22:43:22 -0500
I agree with Dave Kruger's "whipped in air" diagnosis. The high viscosity
resin is trapping air. Warming up the resin before mixing will reduce this
problem, but when it cools off again as you start spreading it on the
fiberglass, you will again force air into the resin again, making it turn
white. The oily film is probably amine blush as you say.

If you can heat your space up, you will probably have better results.
However, you want to do your glassing on falling temperatures so the any
trapped air shrinks instead of expanding. So heat up the space hot before
starting and let it cool down slowly as you work. Note that a kerosene or
propane heater produces water vapor as a result of combustion and humidity
exaserbates blushing problems.

I have had very good results with MAS epoxy. It is low viscosity and does
not blush. They now have "winter cure" which cures down to 35°. It stays
low viscosity and does not crystalize at low temperatures. NOTE: where I
work is a distributer for MAS so I am not completely unbiased, but I used
it before I started working there.
Nick

At 4:03 PM -0800 2/1/98, Keith Kaste wrote:
>I am building a stitch and glue boat these days.  I have gotten to the
>point where I am fiberglassing the hull.  The epoxy (West Systems) is
>not behaving the way I remember it during the warmer months.  It is much
>more viscous when I'm mixing it.  It gets really white.  I thought that
>since the temperature is less, the pot time would be noticeably longer.
>It is not.  Furthermore, it doesn't take long before it starts turning
>my boat milky white with each stroke of my foam brush.  Does anybody
>know what is causing this?  Is there a better epoxy system to be using?
>
>Also, I'm seeing an oily film on the epoxied surface 24 hours after it
>has set up.  I am assuming this is the dreaded "amine blush".  I have
>not seen this phenomenon before. I used a scratch pad and water to get
>it off.  That seemed to work.  Some kit companies say you don't have to
>sand between coats if you don't wait longer than 2 or 3 days.  Is this
>accepted practice?  Does it apply in all temperature and humidity
>conditions?
>
>Does West Systems have a web site?
>
>
>
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Nick Schade
Guillemot Kayaks
c/o Newfound Woodworks, RFD 2 Box 850, Bristol, NH 03222
(603) 744-6872

Schade_at_guillemot-kayaks.com
http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/

>>>>"It's not just Art, It's a Craft!"<<<<



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Received on Mon Feb 02 1998 - 18:19:25 PST

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