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Epoxy Thinning Techniques - 10/19/2004 7:31:47 PM   
tomcatman



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Joined: 11/13/2002
From: Brandon, FL, USA
Status: offline 		I'm getting ready to glass a set of wings and I wanted to know what would be the best way to thin epoxy? Can acetone be used for this purpose? I happen to have a quart of it, that's why I ask. Thanks

Richie

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RE: Epoxy Thinning Techniques - 10/19/2004 8:12:19 PM   
jaka


 

Posts: 4657
Joined: 12/11/2001
From: Upplands Vasby, SWEDEN
Status: offline 		Hi!
You should not thin the epoxy at all!
Methanol could be used for thinning but only very sparingly ...choosing the right epoxy means you don't have to thin it!!!
Forget the hobby epoxy like ZAP and the like...buy a more professional brand (24 hour epoxy) like CST.
Regards!
Jan K
Sweden

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RE: Epoxy Thinning Techniques - 10/19/2004 8:19:02 PM   
tomcatman



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From: Brandon, FL, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks Jan!!! I will try my LHS for that product.

Richie

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RE: Epoxy Thinning Techniques - 10/20/2004 2:16:01 AM   
Flyboy Dave



Posts: 13522
Joined: 3/20/2002
From: San Bernardino County, CA, USA
Status: online 		Richie....

....I used to do fiber-glass hand lay-up for a living. I wouldn't use any kind of
epoxy to glass some wings. Use regular fiber-glass laminating resin, or from
your hardware store....some "geneal purpose" resin. (same thing) Epoxy is
too thick, too heavy, too hard to sand, and too costly.

Do a search on fiber glass, and read up on some techniques.

FBD.

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RE: Epoxy Thinning Techniques - 10/20/2004 2:41:22 AM   
Woodpile



Posts: 212
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From: Barnegat, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		Flyboy,

What do you think of the West system for doing wings and such? I have some handy and it seems very convenient with those self-metering pumps and all...

Thanx for the help...

Ed

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RE: Epoxy Thinning Techniques - 10/20/2004 2:43:50 AM   
Flyboy Dave



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....I've never heard of the "West system".

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RE: Epoxy Thinning Techniques - 10/20/2004 4:15:48 AM   
tedster



Posts: 247
Joined: 2/6/2002
From: Houston, TX, USA
Status: offline 		I posted a glassing question in the warbirds forumn and received some good info. Here's the link

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/glassing_hatches/m_2245062/tm.htm

I am using EZ - Lam 30 and cutting it about 25% with denatured alcohol with .75 oz. glass cloth.

Good Luck!


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RE: Epoxy Thinning Techniques - 10/20/2004 4:19:44 AM   
Woodpile



Posts: 212
Joined: 1/12/2002
From: Barnegat, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		Flyboy,

It's an epoxy/hardner system by West Marine, used for boats. The containers can be bought with self-metering pumps, you know, one squirt of resin to one squirt of hardner. can't make any mistakes that way. It's a little expensive, but good for the watercraft...

Thought you might have used it before...

Ed

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RE: Epoxy Thinning Techniques - 10/20/2004 5:04:42 AM   
26C4U


 

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From: , PHILIPPINES
Status: offline 		For foam parkflyers where weight is an issue, I glass foam fuses with my wife's old stockings or panty-hose (I just don't tell her) and water-based Sadoline polyurethane. At least 3 coats of the poly-U will do. You can even sand it with 200-grit. The finished product is one tough shell that won't let the foam disintegrate on impact.

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RE: Epoxy Thinning Techniques - 10/20/2004 7:32:48 PM   
Flypaper 2



Posts: 4347
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From: Kingston, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		Proper stuff is epoxy 'Finishing Resin'. About half the viscosity of normal epoxy and doesn't leave a sticky film after it hardens. I use a brand by Bob Smith industries. Spreads on with a playing card.

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RE: Epoxy Thinning Techniques - 10/20/2004 9:15:43 PM   
CafeenMan



Posts: 3907
Joined: 1/19/2003
From: Spring Hill, FL, USA
Status: offline 		Don't thin epoxy. Don't use epoxy glue. Use Epoxy Finishing Resin which is already low viscosity and doesn't need to be thinned. I have a full tutorial on my site about what to use and how to do it.

How to Apply Fiberglass Cloth

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RE: Epoxy Thinning Techniques - 10/21/2004 7:36:22 PM   
jaka


 

Posts: 4657
Joined: 12/11/2001
From: Upplands Vasby, SWEDEN
Status: offline 		Hi!
West systems epoxy is rather good but there are better (harder and more easily sandable) 24 hour Epoxy (finnishing resin) around.

Regards!
Jan K
Sweden

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RE: Epoxy Thinning Techniques - 10/21/2004 8:53:01 PM   
tomcatman



Posts: 909
Joined: 11/13/2002
From: Brandon, FL, USA
Status: offline 		CafeenMan...I just finally got around to checking out your tutorial on glassing wings....GREAT STUFF!!! What really impressed me is that you only used 1/2 ounce of resin on each side of the wing!!! The added weight is barely noticeable. Thanks again!!!

Richie

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RE: Epoxy Thinning Techniques - 10/21/2004 10:41:47 PM   
TOYMAKER



Posts: 771
Joined: 1/15/2002
From: WAXAHACHIE, TX, USA
Status: offline 		DO NOT thin epoxy.

It will shrink over time and it also weakens the chemical bond.
The best way to thin epoxy to make it flow or penetrate is to use a hair dryer or heat gun.
You will be amazed at how well epoxy flows and penetrates wood, glas or c/fiber when heated.
Heating it will also get it to set quicker.

Wayne G.

quote:

ORIGINAL: tomcatman

I'm getting ready to glass a set of wings and I wanted to know what would be the best way to thin epoxy? Can acetone be used for this purpose? I happen to have a quart of it, that's why I ask. Thanks

Richie

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RE: Epoxy Thinning Techniques - 10/22/2004 12:34:56 AM   
rajul



Posts: 6404
Joined: 6/18/2002
From: Missouri City, TX, USA
Status: online 		The best way to thin epoxy is to buy finishing epoxy

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