I bought some West System epoxy a couple of days ago and was browsing the web checking out other supplier’s prices. Then I saw this in the description.
“205/206 Slow Hardener Not intended for clear coating.”
I am going to overlay a fiberglass hood and want to use epoxy to make sure it sticks, but then what do I do about clearcoat? The place I bought the resin from doesn’t carry UV safe epoxy.
Water based PUR clear coating on top.
Hmm, so the “not intended for clearcoat” means the chemicals in the clears?
I know you sent me the link before, but is this auto clear or outside patio furniture clear? Just wondering since AutoAircolors says an waterbased auto clear is still a couple of years away from becoming available.
What if I got UV stable epoxy and used it as a final coat?
i tried a million different spray-can clears. None worked. I tried polyurethane, varnish, lacquer, acrylic, etc. etc. They all wanted to cloud up and turn yellowish as soon as the clear went on.
I have heard good quality automotive clears work well.
Damn, and it just so happens that I buy the one that says “not intended for clear coat”.
they mean that the 205/206 is not meant as a final clear coating. ie it doesn’t have any UV stabilizers in the matrix. Where as the 207 hardner they make is/can be used as a final coating.
You can still apply any clear coat post wet-out or covering.
Why don’t they just write it that way then!!!
Thanks!
Guess they are thinking that most users of epoxy resin systems have some understanding of the fact that most epoxy is not UV stable, and are merely confirming that in respect of this product.
If you are looking for a UV stable resin system for a purely cosmetic applcation, then why not save money and use poly?
Where do you buy this from, and how is meant to be applied? As part of the lay up directly onto the mold… or after the part cures and is released from the mold?
Right, and I knew that epoxy was not UV stable, hence my desire to use clearcoat. But when you write “not intended for use with clearcoat”…that’s just bad English:rolleyes: If they had written, “this product does not protect against UV rays. An additional automotive clearcoat may be required” then I would have said “duh! I KNOW that!”.
As for why epoxy, the hood is poly but I just wanted to be extra sure that the CF stayed on.
West epoxy is used in numerous different ways, but I would agree wording should have been easier to understand.
If the original surface is properly prepared, cant see any problems at all making a good secondary bond using poly rather than epoxy resin system, and this is something thats going to save a fair amount of time and money, as well as not having problems with UV issues.