like I said, it usually does get 'hard', but generally doesn't fully cure, and ends up brittle, as it's low quality waste resin. I have used bondo brand resin that didn't even gell up no matter how much MEK was added...

Mark

 

glad you see the relation when the real deal is used.... but dude, there is no minor difference... a good epoxy is 4x as stong as the polyester alternative....

 

I understand that, but when making a sub box it's not going to help you. it's not like with epoxy you'd be able to lay down 2 layers of matt and epoxy resin and call it a day... the extra cost isn't worth it, given what it would cost to do a few more layers of mat and poly resin. that's all I'm saying.

Mark

 

well that may be your opinion... but in mine you will find your box has significantly less weight..... then add in fumes ect ect...

I pretty much will only use epoxy; but thats just me.....

 

that's fine. there is nothing negative about using epoxy, and to me, the fumes, or lack of aren't worth spending more money on the resin. I have worked with both, with glass, and carbon fiber, and for my boxes that were strong enough with epoxy, versus ploy resin; the wight wasn't that much of a difference... but like you said, it's an opinion, and you are right, but to me it's not worth it...

Mark

 

what would you pay for epoxy ? I can get west system for about $110/gallon here in Pdot.... thats like compared to what, $75 for the same volume of resin from craptire ?

 

I pay about 110 for a 5 gallon pail of poly resin. and it's not bondo brand...

Mark

 

thats pretty cheap for 5 gal !!!...

I pay double that for epoxy at least (max clear is pretty reasonable)... and it's worth it IMO...

 

If you have to do large flat surfaces, one trick is to add reinforcing members. Simply put, buy some cheap (non-nylon) rope and stick it onto the large, flat portions while the last coat is still tacky (or glue it on with a little contact cement if it has already cured). Then soak the rope with resin. When it dries it will be like an iron bar yet take up little volume.

bigbadandugly