RAKA UV Epoxy

[Jim Dodd]

I'm just about to drop the hammer on a 6 gallon kit of RAKA's UV epoxy.
I quizzed them about diluting with Xylene to give it better penetration, and they said it was unnecessary.

I'll be using their slow hardener. It is supposed to be similar to their 350 Blush free.

Has anyone used this product ?

Jim

 

[Alan Gage]

Never used it but I thought it looked interesting. Looking forward to hearing how it works for you. Do you still plan to top coat it or just leave the epoxy as the only finish?

I've been using their slow hardener with good results.

Alan

 

[Jim Dodd]

I will varnish. Maybe a polyurethane this time. Or Epifanes.

 

[memaquay]

Haven't seen Mike around in a while, so I will take the liberty of posting a link to his extensive testing of epoxies and varnishes over the course of several years. Interesting to note, Helmsmans spar varnish, the kind I use because it is the cheapest, appears to also be the best.
http://www.myccr.com/phpbbforum/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=40923

 

[Jim Dodd]

Wow ! I put Helmsman on my Kevlar build . This Spring it will see some use.

Mike did a great job on his test !

Thanks for the link !

Jim

 

[Alan Gage]

Thanks for the link, Mem. What a great test, don't know how I missed it.

Along the same lines is this old test done by Ocean One Kayaks where they laminated some cedar panels with fiberglass and a half dozen or so different epoxies. Half was left bare and the other half varnished. There was also a strip that was completely covered to block all light penetration. Then they were left outside and monitored over the course of a year or so.

http://www.oneoceankayaks.com/Epoxtest.htm

Alan

 

[Jim Dodd]

I've viewed this link before Alan Thanks !

It prompted me to switch from System Three, to RAKA.

Jim