500 Two-Stroke Tech

Ok, so I am not a bodywork expert, but I am able to creatively and proceduraly hold my own with minor (and some major) fiberglass repairs and customization.

As long as the supplies used are decent quality.

This is now the 4th or 5th time in the last 4 years I have bought resin and hardener off the shelf, stored properly and come to use it within the month and the hardener is expired. Not by date mind you, just flat out won't work.

I now test every batch I use - which is a messy and time consuming process and I no longer keep anything on the shelf and only buy within a month of needing to use it due to past experiences with poor quality. And quit efrankly the delays on th ebodywork side are what have been holding up the track bike build.

So my question to the folks is what other option besides Bondo brand crap that is sold by big box and automotive stores, has decent fresh materials available?

I don't mind switching to an online delivery source - but I am sick and tired of getting ready to do some work only to find the hardener (or even the resin) is old and unusable.

Sure I get refunds at the store, but at this stage I would rather have decent resin/hardener at twice the price and not worry about refunds.

West Systems epoxy is a quality product, for other options and all sorts of other cool hardware see here; http://www.aircraftspruce.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Polyall 2000 https://www.polyall.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This stuff is made by The Guild Of Automotive restorers. You may know them from their TV customization and restoration show. World renowned facility doing million $$ restorations and builds. Click on their contact link.

The West epoxy is good if you're not building an airplane. Not recommended/approved for structural applications according to Rutan Aircraft. What I've read is it makes good filler. Read into that what you will, but anything is better than off-the-shelf Bondo brand resin.

Good epoxy resins are expensive, as is very good quality glass. I had my 1986-90 RZ350 solo tail sections made with Rutan aviation glass and resin. The result was a very expensive tail section, but the quality was second to done and incredibly strong. I have photo of a friend standing on one of my tail sections placed on a hard floor. That tail was one layer of glass and very light and thin and almost transparent. 200 pounds didn't affect it in any way. Zero deflection or deformation. You get what you pay for.

There are some good high performance epoxy products on eBay. This is a good USA made product. I have some sitting in my garage. Haven't used it yet. http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Epoxy-Resin-Syst ... SwNSxU9HEl" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nice link on the Polyall, I drive by them all the time, didn't know they sold supplies as well.

That Polyall sounds interesting - the gel time in warm weather sounds like it could be used for some very creative builds.

Thanks for all the feedback.

And yes, anything has to be better than this Bondo changing quality.

*edit*

Polyall ordered and on the way.

West Systems epoxy , this is what I use to seal my gas tank . Cheap , gasoline proof and won't lift .

Well, after looking into these products, boy do I feel stupid for fudging around with amateur crap for so long.

Once again, it looks like having access to the correct storage, dispensing and mixing tools as well as the appropriate materials is the real key to a job well done

*edit* There is a West Marine brick & mortar store/showroom 10 miles from here

You will find it lasts longer if it isn't stored in your hot garage as well. Epoxies don't cure well below a certain temperature, but it's okay to store them in a cool place. Pre-preg carbon fibre is usually stored in a freezer.

Went to the West Marine store today.

Got some resin and fast hardener and slow hardener and handy pump dispensers and mixing cups and mixing sticks and light weight filler and proper roller and boy is my wallet glad boating is not my thing

RC45 wrote:boy is my wallet glad boating is not my thing

Boat = Bust Out Another Thousand

The cheapest stuff in the store was on the resin/fiberglass shelves - everything else seems to carry a boaters tax hehe