1
Intr oduction
These are suggestions and tips for household repair , restoration or building with epoxy. Most of these sug
-
gestions are about wood and wood protection, repair or reinforcing. Wood constitutes the largest portion
of most houses. It’s the most vulnerable part of a house and most likely to need repair and protection.
Filling
Epoxy thickened with a fairing filler is used to fill low areas and gaps, to shape or
sculpt a surface, and to blend or smooth surrounding surfaces. Filling is most of-
ten done after structural assembly or a repair has been completed.
Use filling/fairing techniques to fill voids, bridge gaps, and shape and smooth sur-
faces in rotted, cracked or damaged wood sills, thresholds, frames, trim. Patch
and level floors before installing tile, carpet or other floor covering. Epoxy thick
-
ened with fairing filler can be built up and shaped to duplicate carved architec
-
tural details. Epoxy adheres well to metal and it is used as a high-quality auto
body surfacing filler.
Bonding
Epoxy is used unmodified or thickened with an adhesive filler to structurally join
parts of the same or different materials. Bonding techniques include laminating,
hardware and fastener bonding, fabric application and filleting. The materials you
are bonding, the size of the bonding area, the load on the joint and the gap be
-
tween the parts affect the bonding method you use.
Use bonding techniques for structural joining and joint repair , creating bearing
surfaces and attaching hardware. Laminate straight or curved wooden structural
members, bond scarf joints, fill voids with wooden plugs, repair broken tile and
masonry. Bond anchor bolts into wood, concrete and masonry for engine and mo
-
tor mounts, attaching columns, posts and handrails. Bond metal reinforcing such
as screws, bolts, threaded rod and reinforcing bar to connect and increase load ca
-
pability of beams, trusses or columns. Use epoxy with adhesive fillers for bearing
surfaces under columns, beams, machines, thresholds. Bond fabrics to stiffen flexi
-
ble plywood decks, floors, tables, and other flat panels, reinforce beams, shelves,
tool handles, columns, and flagpoles. Fabrics also provide added film thickness
and abrasion resistance to decks, work surfaces, chutes, bins, or tanks.
Coating
WEST SYSTEM 105 Resin-based epoxy is a structural coating. It’s applied in thin
layers, usually unmodified, to provide a protective film or barrier, or a stable
structural base for filling, bonding and finish coatings.
Use coating techniques to waterproof or seal surfaces that can be damaged by
moisture. It’s particularly beneficial to coat the endgrain of any new or replace
-
ment piece of wood near a source of moisture, such as porch posts, sign posts, the
bottom edge of plywood siding or sheathing, endgrain around plumbing openings
in walls, floors and cabinets, or any joint or surface that gets wet and is slow to
dry. Encapsulate and stabilize wood for long lasting finishes on exterior doors,
furniture and signs. Use epoxy to protect metal and electrical parts. Epoxy resists
many chemicals and is a good barrier against oil and grease, acids and alkalines.
Before you start
The procedures for handling and using WEST
SYSTEM epoxy on non-marine projects are the
same as for boat building and repair. If you
have not used epoxy before, read the W
EST
SYSTEM User Manual & Product Guide for de
-
tailed information. Be sure to read all instruc
-
tions and warnings on the product labels.
When working with epoxy, remember to:
Be Prepared
Before mixing epoxy:
1. Check all parts for proper fit.
2. Be sure all bonding surfaces are clean and
dry.
3. Sand nonporous surfaces.
4. Keep application tools, paper towels, clamps
and other useful things within reach.
Work Safely
1. Avoid skin contact with resin, hardener or
mixed epoxy. Wear protective clothing.
2. Avoid eye contact with resin, hardener or
mixed epoxy. Wear eye protection.
3. Avoid breathing vapors or sanding dust. Pro-
vide adequate ventilation. Wear a dust mask
when sanding epoxy.
4. Read all instructions and safety warnings on
product labels.
5. Keep resins, hardeners, fillers and solvents
out of the reach of children
Mix carefully
Use WEST SYSTEM Mini Pumps to dispense
resin and hardener. Pump one pump stroke of
resin for each stroke of hardener. Mix small
batches. Mix thoroughly. Refer to the hard
-
ener container for working and cure times.
Caution! The chemical reaction that cures the
epoxy also generates heat. A couple inches of
curing epoxy in a plastic mixing cup can get
hot enough to melt the cup and burn your
skin. Spread the mixture in a shallow pan to
dissipate the heat and extend the working
time.
Work Cleanly
Protect yourself and the work areas from
spills. Remove uncured epoxy from skin and
clothes with a waterless skin cleaner. Remove
excess epoxy from work surfaces with the flat
end of a mixing stick or with paper towels.
Clean residue with solvent.
W
EST SYSTEM epoxy is ideal for wood repair and
protection. It is highly versatile, and is easily modi
-
fied for a wide range of household projects. Epoxy
is applied to the project using one of three Basic
Techniques. Each of these techniques offers many
possibilities for use around your house, some of
which are listed below.