West systems 423 (graphite filler) + Epoxy

[cookerq62]

West systems 423 + epoxy makes a tough low friction coating. From what I understand it is ideal for a boat that gets beached. Has anyone tried it out as a bottom paint? It has to be sheered on like very thin spackle. I'm not sure if you can spray it or not but it has the consitancy of mercury when its mixed so it levels really well. I'm just throwing this out there for anyone who is doing a build this winter. I know when I did mine it was hard to find a bottom paint that was worth while.

 

[WFO Speedracer]

You defiantly can't spray it because you can't thin it to spray it,would also be a biotch to sand other than that it would work great.

 

[#ZERO]

If you mix it with glass micro balloons it will be a lot easier to sand.

 

[shawn_NJ]

I'm using 423 & 406 as the outer "Gelcoat" for the hull I am building. I made 2 fiberglass panels (testing layup thickness) and I put the 423/406 mix on the bottom of the panel. Finish comes out pretty cool looking.

 

[cookerq62]

I'm using 423 & 406 as the outer "Gelcoat" for the hull I am building. I made 2 fiberglass panels (testing layup thickness) and I put the 423/406 mix on the bottom of the panel. Finish comes out pretty cool looking.

Are you applying it in a mold or painting/spreading it on?

 

[shawn_NJ]

Are you applying it in a mold or painting/spreading it on?

In mold. I do not think the results would be pretty applying it to an existing hull.

 

[cookerq62]

You defiantly can't spray it because you can't thin it to spray it,would also be a biotch to sand other than that it would work great.

This stuff actually makes the epoxy thinner (less viscous) because of its lubricating properties. I'm thinking you may be able to spray it. Bubbles come to the surface alot quicker. It feels alot like mercury when you stir it, almost like there is nothing there. I Want to see some pic's of shawn's samples.

 

[shawn_NJ]

This stuff actually makes the epoxy thinner (less viscous) because of its lubricating properties. I'm thinking you may be able to spray it. Bubbles come to the surface alot quicker. It feels alot like mercury when you stir it, almost like there is nothing there. I Want to see some pic's of shawn's samples.

If you wanted to TRY and spray it (with a cup gun), I would start with a less viscous epoxy then 105. But I think it will run before you can build up a decent thickness. Just guessing there though.

I'm not innovating anything. I "borrowed" the idea from Flash-FX....lol

I will take some pics of the panels I made next weekend, when I go to my lab.

 

[shawn_NJ]

I am trying to dial in the perfect mixture of 423 Graphite, 422 Barrier coat (aluminum powder), and 406 cabosil....so I can get REPRODUCIBLE quality on the external "gelcoat". I did one last weekend with 423 only, so today I decided to do one with all the other componants that I will really be using and document the ratios. Here is the panel, after I broke it in half and it took a few wacks with a hammer. I broke it before it was even close to fully hardened, :grumble: because now I cannot even bend it. oh well I want to bag the net one, this was just hand layed backed by 2 layers of 1708.