Thin or thick epoxy for delam repair

HI, checking for best epoxy price, one supplier has a thin epoxy or a thicker epoxy. Thin soaks into surface, but thicker is better for building up. I have read that the epoxy needs consisity of ketchup. I guess it is the thicker epoxy ? . Is filler needed ? I gave up on Gorilla glue, dries strong, but expanded part is soft. Great Stuff not a hard foam, its out too. Looking for Capt. Dave to reply !! (he knows his stuff !!!)

You will need thinner epoxy, relatively speaking. An unthickened epoxy with a consistency of Ketchup would be a mistake for this kind of repair - especially for the first few injections of epoxy. You are not trying to "build up" you are trying to re-bond one layer to the next. If after injecting ample unthickened epoxy you still feel some epoxy is settling away from between the two layers (leaving an unbonded area - ie. remaining delamination), then you can start with the thickeners - but judiciously. You still have to be able to inject it via syringe and it must be able to flow out to some degree.

You may want to read my last post again (in your last topic). The prime objective of this repair is not "building up"; it is NOT to add as much epoxy as possible; the "strength" of the glue is not that important, and you are NOT trying to reinforce the fiberglass or the foam. It is simply to RE-BOND the fiberglass layer to the foam core. If you succeed in this regard alone, then all else will be achieved by extention. Also, if you keep this goal in mind at all times, then you will make the correct decisions while the job is underway... Decisions such as which epoxy to purchase then become obvious.

Delamination that has been neglected and stepped on (flexed) a lot may require some thickeners to fill the larger voids created between the glass and foam core. But recent or less extensive delamination will probably require none. In either case, the first applications should be with relatively "thin" and unthickened epoxy. This will let the epoxy flow out and wick everywhere possible. If you apply thickened epoxy first, you`ll create voids everywhere and block the flow routes needed to fill them - not a good job at all.



Dave

Thanks for the valuable info, the delam is quite large, will start with thin epoxy, (the seller says its like syrup), then add thickener to it. I plan on using empty new caulking tubes (West sells them) to dispense.

Good luck.

I think the caulking tube route will work quite well and may be a better approach for a large area of delamination. I`d recommend holding off on fillers until you start seeing epoxy ooze out through ALL the breather/relief holes. Then you can thicken up a bit.


Dave