Epoxy What brand?

[William Rogers]

Thinking about trying epoxy as a coating. I just made some fishing gaffs and coated them with Totalboat epoxy. The pumps made it very easy to mix and went on well. Has anyone used Totalboat epoxy for a finish. Thinking for vases I would use it inside and outside for fresh flowers. What brand epoxy is recommended?

 

[Aaron Harris]

William, I've used this with great results once it's cured, though it can be quite slow to cure and seems a bit expensive: System Three MirrorCast Epoxy

Following this thread, as I sometimes finishing shaving soap bowls with epoxy, and want to make some vases myself.

 

[John Ames]

I've been using total boat for ten years with occasional experiments with other brands but I always end up going back to total boat. it is the most consistent and forgiving of any brand I've tried. the table top version can be thinned up to 10% with acetone if you want it thinner even though they tell you not to thin it...

 

[Dean Center]

If you want lower viscosity from your epoxy, you can heat in a microwave. With 2 oz bottles, 10-12 seconds for one and 16-18 seconds for the other (sorry I can't recall which part takes longer--heat them both for 10 seconds and one will be much warmer than the other) Be sure to note that it's just a few SECONDS of nuking. This probably speeds up the curing a little, but it makes getting rid of bubbles easier, and for vase or goblet uses, faster curing is a plus. Also be aware that the components will run out of the bottles--you don't have to squeeze--so be ready. For smal amounts, I hold the bottle horizontal and let it drip, drip, drip out, counting the drips to get equal parts.

 

[Daniel Henry]

Thinking about trying epoxy as a coating. I just made some fishing gaffs and coated them with Totalboat epoxy. The pumps made it very easy to mix and went on well. Has anyone used Totalboat epoxy for a finish. Thinking for vases I would use it inside and outside for fresh flowers. What brand epoxy is recommended?

I am a satisfied customer of System Three products. While dispensing and mixing by volume is a recommended method, I bought a digital scale and dispense the epoxy by weight. And as posted earlier, I have used the mirrow coat product as a finish on the inside of vessels.

 

[Stephen Blalock]

Epoxy is sensitive to UV light, something to think about. I also prefer 2 to 1 ratio easier to get mix right.

 

[William Rogers]

Epoxy is sensitive to UV light, something to think about. I also prefer 2 to 1 ratio easier to get mix right.

Does it just make it cure faster or does it discolor it?

 

[Stephen Blalock]

UV will cause it to yellow and weaken.

 

[John Ames]

Epoxies are not meant for outdoor exposure. Most resins these days have "UV Resistant" additives but they don't do a whole lot for prolonged exposure to UV. In order to make your epoxy UV proof you'll have to cover it with a UV Varnish like they use on boats. For more info, here's an easy to read link... (No promotion of the brand intended - I'm just a satisfied user of this particular product). The same info will be true whichever brand you choose.

Adding UV Protection to Outdoor Epoxy Projects – TotalBoat

Protect your outdoor epoxy projects from UV damage so that with proper maintenance, their beauty will last for years.

www.totalboat.com

 

[JeffSmith]

Does it just make it cure faster or does it discolor it?

It can cause it to ‘chalk’ - a white, powdery look on the surface, or, some formulations will yellow. A good grade of marine varnish with uv additives will protect the epoxy and keep problems from happening.

I’ve used West System epoxies for years - I used to restore wooden boats. Their information is all available online and is excellent, as are the additives they sell. Not cheap, but the best on the market by far.

 

[Phil Winch]

I've tried Total Boat and System 3 but I've always gone back to West Systems. I suspect that's because like Jeff my background is wooden boats. I've found that using epoxy on your turnings significantly increases the cost and time for each piece.