low cost epoxy

[Sailorman Ed]

I have purchased my last two 5 gal pails thru Defender but is there a lower cost option for generic epoxy and hardener? I have some less critical areas to work on, do not necessarily need West.

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by Sailorman Ed

I have purchased my last two 5 gal pails thru Defender but is there a lower cost option for generic epoxy and hardener? I have some less critical areas to work on, do not necessarily need West.

===

Have you looked at Raka?

Raka, Inc. 772-489-4070

They've always had pretty good prices.

[Lake-Effect]

It depends where you are. For example, Noah's Boatbuilding Supplies is 15 min from home, and they have a house-branded epoxy that's cheaper than the brandnames, but is still a nice product. Maybe one of the CF sponsors also does that.

I have to say I haven't found a 'bad' epoxy... just different formulations which may differ in viscosity, working times, recoat window, working temp range, blushing, etc. I do believe that West make a fine range of products, but I've been happy so far with lower-priced options.

I like epoxy because it's a bit easier to use than polyester or vinylester and it has more applications. If you're really price-sensitive, why not just use polyester? It's what your boat is made of.

[colemj]

I've used FGCI epoxies from FL and liked them better than WEST. A wide range of epoxy characteristics and great prices (at least when I bought them years ago).

Mark

[HappyMdRSailor]

Epoxy :Â*Epoxy Resins and Hardeners

[oldragbaggers]

Another thumbs up for Raka. I used their resins to build my camper and they worked very well. They have a non-blushing hardener that will save you a lot of cleaning, 2 to 1 mix ratio is easy to figure out, and prices were very good.

[DawnTreader]

We use Raka non-blushing epoxy kits everywhere except the hull below the waterline. There we use West because it might be a bit stronger, though we have no real way of telling since Raka has never failed us. We get our fillers and fiberglass from UScomposites at very reasonable prices. I haven't heard of any epoxy failing that was not operator error.

Brian
SV Dawn Treader
www.sailingdawntreader.com

[Sailorman Ed]

Thanks Wayne.B - I knew I had seen a posting but could not find it with searching.

Lake-Effect - I get all my fillers from Noah's - a great supplier but I did not know they also had a "house" epoxy. I no longer use polyester as I like how I can control the rate of epoxy and all my other work is epoxy now

appreciate all the replies.....Ed

[deltaten]

I use:

wWW.fiberglasssite.com

Best prices I"he found, tremendous service and informative site/instructions

[Boatguy30]

US Composites. Pretty much the same as RAKA but cheaper

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by Sailorman Ed

Thanks Wayne.B - I knew I had seen a posting but could not find it with searching.

Lake-Effect - I get all my fillers from Noah's - a great supplier but I did not know they also had a "house" epoxy. I no longer use polyester as I like how I can control the rate of epoxy and all my other work is epoxy now

appreciate all the replies.....Ed

I don't think they a "home" brand, they sell 2 or 3 types. They carry the East System which I have been using for some time and it is pretty comparable to West but with a lower price. Noahs also have a distribution point for the US.

[Sailorman Ed]

You guys are AWESOME !!! (to use current colloquialism). I thought the Raka kit prices were great until I compared to the US Composites. Thanks !!!

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by SVTatia

I don't think they a "home" brand, they sell 2 or 3 types. They carry the East System which I have been using for some time and it is pretty comparable to West but with a lower price. Noahs also have a distribution point for the US.

I went through a gallon of East from Noah's a few years ago, (they also have WEST and MAS and something else) but last month when I was after a liter, I found their house brand (can't remember the exact brand name but it's related to Noah's and they confirmed it's theirs. Ark Composites, maybe)

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

I went through a gallon of East from Noah's a few years ago, (they also have WEST and MAS and something else) but last month when I was after a liter, I found their house brand (can't remember the exact brand name but it's related to Noah's and they confirmed it's theirs. Ark Composites, maybe)

Interesting, this is something new, its relabeled and I wonder who is the manufacturer.
... but they still sell East as per their website.

Epoxy Resins,fillers Putties & Adhesives : Noahsmarine.com