West System Epoxy

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
bmat5
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Feb 14, 2020 8:07 am

West System Epoxy

Postby bmat5 » Wed Mar 10, 2021 2:56 pm

I've read a number of previous threads on the topic of repairing abandoned screw holes and various materials. I'd like to close some screw holes in the gunwale of my boat, as well as some soon to be abandoned holes left by a transom mounted transducer. I plan to finish the repairs with a gel coat patch from Spectrum.

Is West System 105 epoxy resin a quality material to close and waterproof the holes[?]

West System seems to make a nice kit, suitable for the repairs.

[Tell me your first-hand] experience with [West Systen 105] epoxy resin.

[Moderator’s note: a question framed as a survey of knowledge has been deleted and re-written as a specific question. Please do not ask survey questions eliciting data about which readers have experience with a particular product.]

jimh
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Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: West System Epoxy

Postby jimh » Wed Mar 10, 2021 5:59 pm

I describe my experience with WEST system epoxy in an article I wrote many years ago and published at

http://continuouswave.com/maintenance-logs/epoxy/

Since then I have used WEST System epoxy resin to fill many old fastener holes on my three Boston Whaler classic-era boats.

bmat5
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Feb 14, 2020 8:07 am

Re: West System Epoxy

Postby bmat5 » Wed Mar 10, 2021 7:02 pm

Thanks Jim, yours was one of the many posts I previously read. I called the folks at West Systems and spoke with the tech department. They were very helpful in advising on how to complete repairs including recommending the appropriate filler for a high quality result .

FL21WAC
Posts: 27
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 10:57 am
Location: North Florida

Re: West System Epoxy

Postby FL21WAC » Mon Mar 15, 2021 9:20 pm

This winter I undertook repairs using epoxy resin. I was pleased with the ease of use and dispensing of the WEST six10 epoxy. It comes in a standard sized caulk tube and worked well for me in filling many transom holes in my boat.

I followed this process:
  • Over-drill existing hole to expose good substrate for epoxy bond. Some recommend a countersink bit to bevel edge, I did not do this.
  • fill holes with six10 epoxy to slightly less than flush with surface;
  • cover hole with wax paper, pressed flush to smooth epoxy;
  • two to three hours later the epoxy will have set but not cured; at this point you can easily trim any excess with a razor blade thus greatly reducing and even eliminating sanding; and,
  • apply gel coat as top coat.

https://www.westsystem.com/specialty-epoxies/six10-thickened-epoxy-adhesive/
1991 21 Walkaround, 2001 Yamaha 250 OX66
1987 Outrage 18 [project]

jimh
Posts: 11672
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: West System Epoxy

Postby jimh » Tue Mar 16, 2021 8:31 am

The procedure above omits a every important step.

The WEST System literature provides a very thorough guide to using epoxy resins, and offers particular advices about preparation for top coating epoxy with polyester gel coat resins. In some instances post-cure heating to assure full curing is recommended. In any case, before applying polyester gel coat resin over an epoxy resin, the epoxy resin surface must be fully cured and then fully cleaned of any amine blush with thorough washing with water and detergent. The epoxy surface should be sanded and faired, then cleaned again to remove dust.

If attempting repairs with WEST System epoxy, get their literature and follow their procedures.

https://www.westsystem.com/wp-content/uploads/Fiberglass-Manual-2015.pdf

Read section 15.3.3 Gelcoat Finishes for advice regarding surface preparation before using a polyester resin gel coat top coat.

This topic is also discussed in WHALER RADIO. Listen at

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/radio/ ... tPart1.mp3

The whole interview is interesting, but if you are extremely impatient scrub ahead to 3:00 into the recording for advice on top coating epoxy with gel coat polyester resins. (If you are a younger person, I must warn you there are no motion pictures in this resource; it is just recorded sound.)

The interview continues in a second part at

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/radio/ ... tPart2.mp3