EPOXY SYSTEMS - GUIDELINES
Bell Composites thanks you for your purchase of our advanced epoxy system. These epoxies are the same epoxy resin and hardener systems that we developed to build our line of OFFSHORE CATAMARANS. We have a perfect thirty-year history of strong and durable composite structures, with our large catamarans sailing worldwide. Our epoxy system is made for a room temperature cure of high strength composites, not just a coating or paint base type epoxy like most systems sold elsewhere. Over the years we have fine tuned this low odor epoxy system to be user friendly, easy to wet out any fiber laminate, a superior coating system, waterproof glue and a rapid cure. We use it to build everything from hulls to carbon fiber wing masts. Our epoxy system is also great for composite airplanes.
HELPFUL HINTS
Shelf life - Offshore Epoxy and Hardeners will last you for a year or more if stored properly. They should be sealed tight in a cool dry and safe place. A darkening of the hardeners over time is normal and not a problem.
Storing - All epoxies and hardeners should be stored and used at room temperature (75 degrees Fahrenheit) for best results. Warmer temperatures will thin the liquids and speed up the cure and cooler temperatures will thicken the liquids and slow the cure. You should strive for 75°F for the best results. At 75°F, Offshore Epoxy, mixed with Hardener, has a viscosity of about 750 cps. A good tip is to warm or cool the sealed containers in a larger open container filled with warm or cool water to change the liquids temperature to 75F. Avoid the water or water vapor getting into the resin or hardeners.
Mixing - Only by mixing the resin and the hardener at the proper ratio will insure a proper cure. Please follow the instructions on the PART B label to mix the resin and hardener. Blend the resin and hardener thoroughly by stirring at least one minute and also scrape the sides and bottom inside of your mixing container to make sure all the liquids are mixed. NOTE: The resin part of the mix is always the larger. Example: a 4:1 mix ratio means one would mix 4 equal parts resin plus 1 equal part hardener (or 100 parts resin plus 25 parts hardener). Dry additives, like Cabosil or Microballons, are added after the liquids are mixed.
Application - For the best results have your area, all materials and supplies ready before you mix your epoxy. Avoid any contact to your body and do not breathe the vapors. This means wearing gloves and an approved respirator in a well ventilated area. This epoxy really adheres to most materials but only to a clean dry prepared surface. Prep the surface the same as you would for painting. After you mix your epoxy/hardener in the proper ratio it is important to get it out of the mix container and into a thin film on your work. This will keep the large mass of epoxy from developing too much heat and too rapid of a cure. It is better to make smaller batches that can be used properly to avoid problems and wasted epoxy. Using a thin film, you should have ample time to properly wet out your laminate. Avoid working in direct sunlight or in temperatures below 65F. Work clean and do not work on too large of an area. If you are new to this system please make a small batch on a test panel first. As in all projects, preparation is the key.
Recoating- A good simple rule for recoating epoxy is "if it has cured enough to sand...do sand it." It can be recoated if just "gelled" with good results, however, if allowed to fully cure one must abrade the surface for good adhesion. One technique is to clean the surface with water/ammonia, water rinse and let dry. Then sand with 80 grit sandpaper to prep for the next layer. The use of a peel ply fabric to remove the surface layer is also a very good option. Remove all gloss on the surface and clean for next coat. Again a test panel of your project to test intercoat adhesion would be prudent.
Safety - Work clean and work smart. Once the epoxy and hardeners have cured they are a very safe plastic. Until they are a cured solid they should be treated as a hazardous material. It is your job to keep the project safe. We have no control of your project site... so again, work clean and work smart. We use denatured alcohol for clean up.
Please make test panels and have them tested like we do. We have a perfect history with this resin system in building our boats but cannot guarantee your results.
Please call 561-714-9045 between 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST if you have any questions.
Bell Composites thanks you for your purchase of our advanced epoxy system. These epoxies are the same epoxy resin and hardener systems that we developed to build our line of OFFSHORE CATAMARANS. We have a perfect thirty-year history of strong and durable composite structures, with our large catamarans sailing worldwide. Our epoxy system is made for a room temperature cure of high strength composites, not just a coating or paint base type epoxy like most systems sold elsewhere. Over the years we have fine tuned this low odor epoxy system to be user friendly, easy to wet out any fiber laminate, a superior coating system, waterproof glue and a rapid cure. We use it to build everything from hulls to carbon fiber wing masts. Our epoxy system is also great for composite airplanes.
HELPFUL HINTS
Shelf life - Offshore Epoxy and Hardeners will last you for a year or more if stored properly. They should be sealed tight in a cool dry and safe place. A darkening of the hardeners over time is normal and not a problem.
Storing - All epoxies and hardeners should be stored and used at room temperature (75 degrees Fahrenheit) for best results. Warmer temperatures will thin the liquids and speed up the cure and cooler temperatures will thicken the liquids and slow the cure. You should strive for 75°F for the best results. At 75°F, Offshore Epoxy, mixed with Hardener, has a viscosity of about 750 cps. A good tip is to warm or cool the sealed containers in a larger open container filled with warm or cool water to change the liquids temperature to 75F. Avoid the water or water vapor getting into the resin or hardeners.
Mixing - Only by mixing the resin and the hardener at the proper ratio will insure a proper cure. Please follow the instructions on the PART B label to mix the resin and hardener. Blend the resin and hardener thoroughly by stirring at least one minute and also scrape the sides and bottom inside of your mixing container to make sure all the liquids are mixed. NOTE: The resin part of the mix is always the larger. Example: a 4:1 mix ratio means one would mix 4 equal parts resin plus 1 equal part hardener (or 100 parts resin plus 25 parts hardener). Dry additives, like Cabosil or Microballons, are added after the liquids are mixed.
Application - For the best results have your area, all materials and supplies ready before you mix your epoxy. Avoid any contact to your body and do not breathe the vapors. This means wearing gloves and an approved respirator in a well ventilated area. This epoxy really adheres to most materials but only to a clean dry prepared surface. Prep the surface the same as you would for painting. After you mix your epoxy/hardener in the proper ratio it is important to get it out of the mix container and into a thin film on your work. This will keep the large mass of epoxy from developing too much heat and too rapid of a cure. It is better to make smaller batches that can be used properly to avoid problems and wasted epoxy. Using a thin film, you should have ample time to properly wet out your laminate. Avoid working in direct sunlight or in temperatures below 65F. Work clean and do not work on too large of an area. If you are new to this system please make a small batch on a test panel first. As in all projects, preparation is the key.
Recoating- A good simple rule for recoating epoxy is "if it has cured enough to sand...do sand it." It can be recoated if just "gelled" with good results, however, if allowed to fully cure one must abrade the surface for good adhesion. One technique is to clean the surface with water/ammonia, water rinse and let dry. Then sand with 80 grit sandpaper to prep for the next layer. The use of a peel ply fabric to remove the surface layer is also a very good option. Remove all gloss on the surface and clean for next coat. Again a test panel of your project to test intercoat adhesion would be prudent.
Safety - Work clean and work smart. Once the epoxy and hardeners have cured they are a very safe plastic. Until they are a cured solid they should be treated as a hazardous material. It is your job to keep the project safe. We have no control of your project site... so again, work clean and work smart. We use denatured alcohol for clean up.
Please make test panels and have them tested like we do. We have a perfect history with this resin system in building our boats but cannot guarantee your results.
Please call 561-714-9045 between 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST if you have any questions.
