Great questions! Especially the 2nd one haha. Our Tech Department's facility is very open and well-ventilated, so we do not have to mask up in there. Plus, WEST SYSTEM Epoxy has nearly 0 VOC, meaning the fumes are almost non-existent. Terry's daughter was probably in school and therefore unavailable to help out her Dad during normal business hours. 😄

Was going to ask the same thing. Maybe he was just calling linear polyurethane paint "gel coat"

Have a look through West Systems video on this channel, they have videos of it. While the common saying is polyester resin can't bond to Epoxy, it isn't strictly true. Chemically (wet layup) you can't bond them, but mechanically to some Epoxies, like West System you can and plenty of other videos/channels testing this have proven you can and it works. While some 5 to 1 will work, unless the manufacturer really states it, like West does, you should test it first. I wouldn't do it for anything structural, but for laying polyester gelcoat, great way to do a repair! Remember to remove that blush with water first between any layups of anything.

I repaired boats for decades and never became consistently reliable putting gelcoat on top of an epoxy patch. It may be a superior resin to use when all is said and done but most patches can be done using polyester resin. I avoided using epoxies during my career. Aside from the high cost, the health hazards associated with them are not well published in my opinion.

Yeah, their is professional shipwright on another channel who did tests etc with another brand and got good results. He then went to do a dedicated video recently and the Gelcoat wouldn't even set. The most common cause I believe is aging batch or incorrect ratios. The Epoxy goes off, but the incorrect ratio or age stops the Gelcoat setting later. Unfortunately if the boat is Epoxy based you are cornered to Epoxy repairs.

Thank you for your comment, Bryan! While there are arguably many benefits to using epoxy resin vs. polyester resin, we've put lots of time and research into how to use epoxy safely and cleanly. We also publish safety data sheets. For epoxy safety information, visit www.westsystem.com/safety/. If you'd like to learn more about our experiences and comparisons between epoxy vs. polyester resin, we have an article here from back in the day! www.epoxyworks.com/index.php/west-system-epoxy-vs-polyester/ As always, we're always happy to have in-depth conversations. Our Technical Advisors bring a cumulative 121 years of professional experience to the table. Feel free to give us a call! 😃 US: +1 866-937-8797 • UK: +44 (0)1794 521 111

Our USA office/manufacturing facility is still in Bay City, yes!

I AM SPEED ⚡

100%!

Greg says he used 80-grit sandpaper, then 120-grit before painting.

Thank you for the follow up!

A "mil" is a thousandth of an inch (0.001") and not the same as a millimeter. 15 to 20 mil = 0.38 to 0.51mm

Hey there! We use the 407 Low-Density Fairing Filler for easier sanding. We tinted the epoxy for a more even base before painting it, but it's not necessarily required to tint before painting or varnishing. If you are aiming to have a clear (not opaque) finish, we recommend applying a UV-inhibiting topcoat over your epoxy. Lots of varnishes include UV inhibitors these days. If you need more info, you're welcome to contact our Technical Department and speak to one of our Technical Advisors! 👍

Hey Reg! Our 105 system with the fairing fillers can be used on aluminum boats. However, we generally recommend using our G/Flex rather than the 105 system for this application as G/Flex typically achieves a stronger bond to aluminum surfaces. The fairing fillers can be added into G/Flex to make it easier to sand. Let us know if you have any other questions! 😃

Glad you enjoyed the project, Rolf! Thank you for the feedback - we'll keep it in mind when creating more content for our KZbin channel.

Glad you enjoyed the project, Bill!

Glad you enjoyed the project, Jerome!

All I can say is beautiful for a Ford.

Glad you enjoyed the project, Caesar!

You certainly can use the notched trowel method for fairing as it is described in section 14.3.2 of our Fiberglass Boat Repair and Maintenance Manual (www.westsystem.com/app/uploads/2022/10/Fiberglass-Manual-2015.pdf). If you have minor fairing work to do this may not be the most efficient way to fair the surface.-Rachael

@danleeboatbuilding used a final high gloss, scratch resistant, UV protection topcoat of Epifanes Polyurethane clear coat. Here is some more info on finish coatings (see polyurethanes) www.westsystem.com/instruction/epoxy-basics/finish-coatings/