Tinting Epoxy

[glenn.225]

I've been using my Christmas break to build some cockpit locker covers for my Albin Vega. They are made with a brown hardwood(?) frame, plywood backing and strips of Jatoba glued in. (see attached) In the seams (1/8”) I wanted to use a black filler that would be able to be epoxied over as I want to totally encapsulate the covers in epoxy and then varnish. I am now stuck on what to use to fill the seems, I have dismissed silicone or other caulking because I did not know how it would react with the epoxy. Next I was thinking of using a tinted epoxy to fill the seams but could not find a black tinting at West Marine. So the Clerk there suggested I use Polyurethane, so I bought a small can of Interlux Brightside, Black. Will this work has any one tried it? Or is there a better product?

Thanks

Glenn

[digmac]

Glenn

West systems sells graphite powder that can be mixed with their epoxy to make it black. There is an article on their website about graphite and other colouring agents.
Dave

[18Bravo]

Originally Posted by glenn.225

I've been using my Christmas break to build some cockpit locker covers for my Albin Vega. They are made with a brown hardwood(?) frame, plywood backing and strips of Jatoba glued in. (see attached) In the seams (1/8”) I wanted to use a black filler that would be able to be epoxied over as I want to totally encapsulate the covers in epoxy and then varnish. I am now stuck on what to use to fill the seems, I have dismissed silicone or other caulking because I did not know how it would react with the epoxy. Next I was thinking of using a tinted epoxy to fill the seams but could not find a black tinting at West Marine. So the Clerk there suggested I use Polyurethane, so I bought a small can of Interlux Brightside, Black. Will this work has any one tried it? Or is there a better product?

Thanks

Glenn

Glenn,

You can use black paint pigment to tint the epoxy. Most home improvement stores carry it. I used the very same thing on a recent project with excellent results.

Good luck,
Dave

[barnakiel]

Graphite will render silver-black. Plain tints from the paint shop render pitch black too.

Mind epoxy will darken, so the top coat must be a UV-varnish or poly.

b.

[glenn.225]

Thanks all

I'll pick up some tint tomorrow. Had my doubts about the ployurethane.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by glenn.225

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] I wanted to use a black filler that would be able to be epoxied over as I want to totally encapsulate the covers in epoxy and then varnish.

You do know that epoxy is not UV friendly, unless you buy the west systems 207 hardener??? See link below..........._/)

http://www.epoxyworks.com/18/pdf/varnish.pdf

[glenn.225]

delmarrey

Yes I am using West System 207 and am also covering the epoxy with EPIFANES Clear High-Gloss Varnish for UV protection.
I'll let you know how it turns out.

Glenn

[S/V Antares]

Glenn, Post a few pictures? This is a good project. Thanks