Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

mixing epoxy brands

Has anyone ever tried mixing up resin & hardener from different sources? I have system three, raka & Mas in varying amounts both resin& hardener. I always read where everyone gets their base material from the same place which I assume is 3m. I am going to try different mixes for a test but that will just tell me if one will go off with the other & not if it will work well. This is mostly an economical issue as I probably have 6-7 gallons total but different brands. It is all 2 to one mix.

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Phillip Westendorf on February 5, 2015 at 5:08pm

I have used a number of different epoxies over the years but never tried to mix the different hardeners with different resins. You can't, for sure, mix those with different ratios. I spoke to a retailer who formulated his hardener and he told me there were only two manufacturers of resins in the States. Most, if not all retailers of epoxies formulate their hardeners to achieve their goal at a cost. So I guess it wouldn't hurt to mix a few samples and see what happens. Just keep accurate records. and let the rest of us know. A small sample of 5-10 grams total in a plastic cup will do it.

I have always measured by weight (+/- 0.05 gram) where possible to minimize the error and it seems to me I end up with little waste.

Dorf

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by tungsten on February 6, 2015 at 6:27am

I would put one ontop of the other,a good wash and sand between coats.

A good test would be to pour some out between 2 pieces of plastic say 4"x4" do one one mixed and one not..Let cure a full week then you can bend back and forth to see what happens and see any difference.