How to use WEST SYSTEM Epoxy

Adding fillers and additives to WEST SYSTEM epoxy mixes

Once you have correctly metered and mixed your epoxy resin and hardener, add fillers and additives to adapt the mixture for many more applications. Fillers are used to thicken epoxy for specific applications such as bonding or fairing. Resin/hardener mixes with added filler are known as thickened mixes or thickened epoxy.Additives are used to give additional physical properties when used as a coating and pigments. Additives also provide a colour base for future overcoating with quality marine paint.This page covers:

Two-step process for adding fillers and additives
Four consistencies of epoxy: find the best for your project

TWO-STEP PROCESS FOR ADDING FILLERS AND ADDITIVE

Follow these two steps to add filler to a resin/hardener mix. Additives are also blended with mixed epoxy in a similar process but they are not designed to thicken the epoxy.

1. MIX

Mix the desired quantity of resin and hardener thoroughly before adding fillers. Begin with a small batch and allow room for the filler.


Stir resin and hardener together thoroughly. Stir for at least 1 minute longer in cooler temperatures.

2. ADD AND BLEND

Blend in small quantities of the appropriate filler until the desired consistency is reached. Ensure the filler is thoroughly blended before the mix is applied.


Stir in small handfuls of filler until the desired consistency is reached.

For maximum strength, add only enough filler to completely bridge gaps between surfaces without sagging or running out of the joint or gap. A small amount should squeeze out of joints when clamped. When making fairing compounds, add as much 407 or 410 as can be blended in smoothly.  For easy sanding, the thicker the viscosity, the better. Spread the mix into a thinner layer, either around the inside of the mixing cup or onto a flat non-porous surface or palette, to extend the working life.

FOUR CONSISTENCIES OF EPOXY: FIND THE BEST FOR YOUR JOB

Epoxy can be thickened to the ideal consistency needed for a particular job. It can be useful to think of these common consistencies as: syrup, ketchup, mayonnaise and peanut butter. The viscosity or thickness of a mix required for a specific job is controlled by the amount of filler added. There is no strict formula or measuring involved – visually judge the consistency which is best suited for the task in hand.

Consistency Unthickened
Syrup		 Slightly
thickened
Ketchup		 Moderately
thickened
Mayonnaise		 Maximum
thickness
Peanut butter
General appearance
Characteristics Drips off vertical surfaces. Sags down vertical surfaces. Clings to vertical surfaces. Peaks fall over. Clings to vertical surfaces. Peaks stand up.
Uses Coating, ‘wetting-out’ before bonding, applying fibreglass, graphite and other fabrics. Laminating or bonding flat panels with large surface areas, injecting with syringe. General bonding, filleting, hardware bonding. Gap filling, filleting, fairing, bonding uneven surfaces.