Published by Gougeon Brothers, Inc., Bay City, MI, USA
Copyright 1994 GBI
Preparation for the final finish is just as important as it is for recoating with epoxy. The surface must first be clean, dry and sanded (See Surface Preparation).
If there are runs or sags, begin sanding with 80-grit paper to remove the highest areas. Sand until the surface feels and looks fair, then switch to 120-grit wet or dry paper. After all of the scratches from the 80-grit paper are removed, you may then switch to 220-grit paper and on to the finest grit that meets your needs. If a primer is to be used, 80-grit is usually sufficient. After you are satisfied with the texture and fairness of the surface, rinse the surface with fresh water and dry it with plain white paper towels. Rinse water should sheet evenly without beading or fisheyeing.
Proceed with your final coating operation after the surface has dried thoroughly. To reduce the possibility of contamination, it is a good idea to begin coating within 24 hours of the final sanding. Follow all of the instructions from the coating system's manufacturer.
Note: It is a good idea to make a test panel to evaluate the degree of surface preparation required and the compatibility of the finish system.
By itself, WEST SYSTEM 105 Resin rarely causes skin sensitization. WEST SYSTEM Hardeners are considered skin irritants and sensitizers; however, their toxicity is greatly reduced when they are mixed in the proper ratio with 105 Resin. Even so, adequate handling precautions must still be taken. We recommend that the following safeguards be strictly observed. Refer to the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and product label for specific product safety information.
For additional safety information or data, write to:
SAFETY, Gougeon Brothers, Inc., P.O. Box 908, Bay City, MI 48707-0908
USA
The following product guide provides complete descriptions of WEST SYSTEM® epoxy products. Use this guide along with the technical manual section to determine the proper procedures and products for your project.
Balancing an epoxy's physical and mechanical properties is a difficult task when formulating for the marine market. A change in one characteristic will invariably affect other characteristics. Defining an epoxy's performance criteria, and designing a formula to meet those criteria requires good chemistry, rigorous test programs, skillful shop work and lots of experience on the water with epoxy-built structures. During more than twenty years of developing marine epoxies, we have formulated and tested WEST SYSTEM resin and hardeners to create the best balanced epoxy available today. This versatile, high-quality epoxy can be modified to provide a wide range of handling characteristics and physical properties, creating the ideal mixture for your coating and bonding applications.
To help you make the most of WEST SYSTEM epoxy's balanced performance and versatility, Gougeon Brothers provides you with one other important ingredient–knowledge. Whether your project is large or small, WEST SYSTEM technical publications and videos offered in this guide provide detailed procedures and instructions for specific repair and construction applications. Further assistance can be obtained by writing or calling our Technical Staff.
We are always interested in our customer's views and welcome suggestions about our products and service. We encourage you to call or write with comments on WEST SYSTEM Brand products and their use.
WEST SYSTEM products are available from quality marine chandleries
and hardware outlets in many areas. For the name of the WEST SYSTEM products
dealer nearest you,
please check our on-line dealer list or call or write.
Gougeon Brothers, Inc., P.O. Box 908, Bay City, MI 48707
(517) 684-7286, Fax (517) 684-1374
Here is everything you need to complete small repairs around the boat, shop or home. The Handy Repair Pack contains two WEST SYSTEM 105 Resin/205 Hardener packets, and enough high-density filler to complete a variety of coating and bonding operations. Also included are an application brush, mixing stick, pipe cleaner, two cleaning pads and complete instructions. The components can be mixed in the disposable package.
Six resin/hardener packets only. Each pre-measured packet contains 16g of 105 Resin and 3.2g of 205 Hardener (19.2g or 0.56 fl. oz. of mixed epoxy).
The Maxi Repair Pack contains six 105 Resin/205 Hardener packets, a low-density filler for fairing and a high-density filler for bonding. Also included are two application brushes, one syringe, two pipe cleaners, four mixing sticks, one pair of disposable gloves, four cleaning pads, mixing cups and illustrated instructions.
An easy to use, 2-part resin/hardener system for quick repairs, tooling and general bonding. May be used in spot applications to hold parts in position while standard epoxy bonds cure. Bonds to wood, fiberglass and metal. Not recommended for long-term bonds subject to high loads or moisture. One-to-one mixture, no pumps are required. Cures in 3-5 minutes.
865-16 16 fl. oz. resin/16 fl. oz. hardener.
865-4 4 fl. oz. resin/4 fl. oz. hardener.
105 Resin is the base material of the WEST SYSTEM family of products, on which all of the WEST SYSTEM compounds are built. The resin is a clear, pale amber, low-viscosity liquid epoxy resin. Formulated for use with WEST SYSTEM hardeners, it can be cured in a wide temperature range to form a high-strength solid with excellent moisture resistance. It is designed specifically to wet out and bond with wood fiber, fiberglass, reinforcing fabrics and a variety of metals. An excellent adhesive, 105 will fill gaps and bridge voids when modified with WEST SYSTEM fillers and can be sanded and shaped when cured. With roller applications, it possesses excellent thin-film characteristics to flow out and self-level without "fisheyeing." The resin cures clear so that you can achieve a natural finish when coating with varnish. It has a relatively high flash point and no strong solvent odor, making it safer to work with than polyesters. Resin viscosity is approximately 1000 cps at 72°F (22°C).For each container size of resin, there is a corresponding sized container of hardener and a corresponding mini pump size. When purchasing resin, hardener and mini pumps, be sure all containers are labeled with the same "group size" letter (A, B or C).
205 Hardener is a medium-viscosity epoxy curing agent. It is used in a majority of situations, at lower temperatures and to produce a rapid cure that develops its physical properties quickly at room temperature. When mixed with the 105 Resin in a five-part resin to one-part hardener ratio, the cured resin/hardener mixture yields a rigid, high-strength, moisture-resistant solid with excellent bonding and coating properties. Not intended for clear coating.
Pot life at 72°F (22°C)- 9 to 12 minutes
Cure to a solid state- 6 to 8 hours
Cure to maximum strength- 1 to 4 days
Minimum recommended temperature- 40°F (4°C)
Pumps required- (5:1 ratio) 301, 306 or 309
206 Slow Hardener is a low-viscosity epoxy curing agent for use when extended working and cure time is needed or to provide adequate working time at higher temperatures. When combined with 105 Resin in a five-part resin to one-part hardener ratio, the cured resin/hardener mixture yields a rigid, high-strength, moisture-resistant solid with excellent bonding and coating properties. Not intended for clear coating.
Pot life at 72°F (22°C)- 20 to 25 minutes
Cure to a solid state- 9 to 12 hours
Cure to maximum strength- 1 to 4 days
Minimum recommended temperature- 60°F (16°C)
Pumps required- (5:1 ratio) 301, 306 or 309
This hardener was especially developed for use with WEST SYSTEM Brand 105 Resin in coating applications where an exceptionally clear, moisture-resistant, natural wood finish is desired. An ultraviolet inhibiting additive improves the resistance of a WEST SYSTEM 105/207 mixture to sunlight, but the cured epoxy surface will still require the additional protection of a quality UV-filtering varnish. 207 is designed to self level for smooth finishes, and to wet-out and bond fabrics. Although it provides good physical properties for general bonding applications, it is more difficult to thicken and less cost effective for this purpose than 205 or 206 Hardeners. It's also used for laminating veneers where bleed through at joints may be exposed to sunlight.
Pot life at 72°F (22°C)- 20 to 25 minutes
Cure to a solid state- 9 to 12 hours
Cure to maximum strength- 4 to 7 days
Minimum recommended temperature- 60°F (16°C)
Pumps required- (3:1 ratio) 303, 306-3 or 309-3
209 Special Tropical Hardener is formulated for use with WEST SYSTEM Brand 105 Resin for general coating and bonding applications in extremely warm and/or humid conditions or when extended working time is desired at room temperature. Provides approximately twice the working time of 206 Slow Hardener. Forms a clear, amber-colored solid with good physical properties and moisture resistance for bonding and coating applications. Not intended for clear coating.
Pot life at 72°F (22°C)- 40 to 50 minutes,
at 95°F (35°C)- 15 to 20 minutes
Cure to a solid state at 72°F (22°C)- 20 to 24 hours,
at 95°F (35°C)- 6 to 8 hours
Cure to maximum strength at 72°F- 4 to 9 days
Minimum recommended temperature- 65°F (18°C)
Pumps required- (3:1 ratio) 303, 306-3 or 309-3
Mini Pumps are designed for convenient and accurate dispensing of WEST SYSTEM Brand 105 Resin and 205 or 206 Hardeners. Mini pumps mount directly on the resin and hardener containers and eliminate the mess involved with measuring by weight or volume. The pumps are calibrated to deliver the proper working ratio of 5 parts resin to 1 part hardener with one full pump stroke of resin for each one full pump stroke of hardener. Made of durable polypropylene, the pumps can be left mounted in the resin and hardener cans and will give years of dependable service. 301-A Mini Pumps for resin and hardener group size "A" deliver approximately 0.9 oz. of resin/hardener with one full stroke of each pump. Use 301-A resin pumps only with 301-A hardener pumps. 301-BC Mini Pumps for resin and hardener group size "B" or "C" deliver approximately 1.3 oz. of resin/hardener with one full stroke of each pump. WARNING: DO NOT USE WITH 207 OR 209 HARDENERS.
Designed for convenient dispensing of WEST SYSTEM Brand 207 and 209 Special-ratio Hardeners. 303 Mini Pumps are calibrated to deliver the proper working ratio of 3 parts resin to 1 part hardener with one full pump stroke of resin for each one full pump stroke of hardener. The polypropylene pumps mount directly on the resin and hardener containers. 303-BC Group size "B" or "C" only, deliver approximately 1.4 oz. of resin/hardener per stroke. WARNING: DO NOT USE WITH 205 OR 206 HARDENERS.
Ideal for dispensing larger metered quantities of epoxy. For large projects, a dispensing pump will soon pay for itself by reducing mixing time and waste. Convenient carrying handle. Reservoirs hold one gallon of resin, one quart of hardener. For use with 5:1 ratio hardeners. Dispenses approximately 0.5 oz. of resin/hardener per pump stroke. 306-3 Special-ratio (3:1) configuration for use with 207 Special Coating or 209 Special Tropical Hardeners.
Includes seals, balls, gaskets, springs, high-rise tubes with ferrules and new resin and hardener reservoirs with lids. 306-3K Model A Rebuild Kit also available.
Designed and built by Gougeon Brothers. The home builder and professional alike will enjoy the efficiency of this pump. The metered resin/hardener mixture is delivered with continuous rotation of the crank. Dispenses five quarts per minute, yet can dispense smaller quantities with partial crank rotation. Positive shutoff prevents resin and hardener loss through dripping spouts. Reservoirs hold two gallons of resin, one gallon of hardener. For use with 5:1 ratio hardeners.
Special-ratio (3:1) configuration for use with 207 Special Coating or 209 Special Tropical Hardeners.
403 Microfibers, a fine fiber blend, is used as a thickening additive with resin/hardener to create a multi-purpose adhesive, especially for bonding wood. Epoxy thickened with microfibers provides good gap-filling qualities while retaining excellent wetting/penetrating capabilities. Color: off-white.
404 High-Density filler is a thickening additive developed for maximum physical properties in hardware bonding where high-cyclic loads are anticipated. It can also be used for filleting and gap-filling where maximum strength is necessary. Color: off-white.
This strong, wood-toned filler is good for use in glue joints and fillets on naturally-finished wooden interiors. It mixes easily with epoxy and lets you create fillets that are smooth and require little sanding. Its color is a consistent brown, so 405 can be used to modify the shade of other WEST SYSTEM fillers.
406 Colloidal Silica is a thickening additive used to control the viscosity of the epoxy and prevent epoxy runoff in vertical and overhead joints. 406 is a very strong filler that creates a smooth mixture, ideal for general bonding and filleting. It is also our most versatile filler. Often used in combination with other fillers, it can be used to improve the improve strength, abrasion resistance, and consistency of fairing compounds, resulting in a tougher, smoother surface. Color: off-white.
407 Low-Density filler is a blended microballoon-based filler used to make fairing putties that are easy to sand or carve. Reasonably strong on a strength-to-weight basis. Cures to a dark red/brown color.
410 Microlight™ is the ideal low-density filler for creating a light, easily-worked fairing compound especially suited for fairing large areas. Microlight mixes with greater ease than 407 Low-Density filler or microballoons and is approximately 30% easier to sand. It feathers to a fine edge and is also more economical for large fairing jobs. Not recommended under dark paint or other surfaces subject to high temperatures. Cures to a tan color.