styrene wipe

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by tropicalbuilder, Mar 7, 2012.

  1. tropicalbuilder
    Joined: Jun 2010
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    tropicalbuilder Junior Member

    I've been told that wiping down an old fiberglass surface with styrene (after cleaning and sanding) , re-activates the resin and improves the bonding of the new resin to be applied.
    Is it true??
    If yes, should this wiping be done right before the application of new resin or there should be a waiting time?
     
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  2. benglish300
    Joined: Jan 2012
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    benglish300 Junior Member

    Styrene is one of the best solvents you can prep with. Great for old lamination's (after the initial 24 hour "green" phase old) and repair work.
    I wipe down the surface right before starting. Surface prep with a heavy grit, vacuum, wipe with acetone, let flash off, then wipe with some styrene.

    This is just one builders method. Hope it helps :D
     
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  3. Herman
    Joined: Oct 2004
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    Herman Senior Member

    I am curious to see a comparison test.
     
  4. Wynand N
    Joined: Oct 2004
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    Wynand N Retired Steelboatbuilder

    if you do not have styrene on hand, acetone can be used instead, although not as good as styrene...
    Use same method as described by benglish300.
     
  5. dinoa
    Joined: Oct 2007
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    dinoa Senior Member

    I've heard that cobalt napthanate accelerator added to styrene also helps.

    Dino
     
  6. Submarine Tom

    Submarine Tom Previous Member

    Either way is fine.

    -Tom
     
  7. ondarvr
    Joined: Dec 2005
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    ondarvr Senior Member

    Styrene does not reactivate the resin, it is a very good solvent tough, so it cleans the surface very well. Styrene can start to break down the resin after extended contact, which will soften the surface and may sort of give the perception of a better bond. But it's sort of like chewing gum, it will stick to just about everything very well and can be a bugger to get off, but it's not a structural bond.
     
  8. tunnels

    tunnels Previous Member

    Over old glass !!

    acetone , styrene , cobalt ! seperatly or mixed all they are doing is cleaning the surface not softening the resin !!
    To laminate over a old seasoned surface you need to grind the surface with a 16 grit disc and really scuff the sirface and make the strands of the old glass stand up so the new resin can really get a hold !!
    Stickability of the new layer of glass {surface bonding } is critical .
    There also Peelability and that something thats a little scary !!!
    If its a repair to a damaged surface make sure you get into and rid of the old dammaged and sepertaed layers and make the repair big and feather out the edges .
    Laminating polyester resin over a old vinylester resin system the peelability of the glass i have fing is a little scary .
    On the other hand Vinylester over polyester is much better option
    Dont guess !!! test !! :confused:do a sample of glass on the surface and after 24 hours see how easly it will come off !! :D
     
  9. benglish300
    Joined: Jan 2012
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    benglish300 Junior Member

    To be honest though (my opinion clearly)Drop the ester-family right out of repair talk. I wouldnt dream of repairing with anything other than epoxy, unless finance was an issue.
     
  10. ondarvr
    Joined: Dec 2005
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    ondarvr Senior Member

    Many people follow this line of thought, and if you carry it out to the extreme, nothing should be made with anything less than the best epoxy.

    In the real world what you make and what you repaired only needs to hold up to the stresses it will see during its life span. If the cheapest polyester will meet the need, then anything more is a waste of money. A properly designed polyester part will be the same strength as a properly designed epoxy part, the big difference will be in the weight of the part to achieve the same strength. Yes there are other differences, but cost and weight are the major factors in determining the products used. If cost is the objective it’s made with polyester and glass, when weight comes into play it epoxy and carbon.
     
  11. tunnels

    tunnels Previous Member

    There is really no need ever to use epoxy to do any kind of repairs to a polyester boat !! Vinylester is quite satisfactory For any part !, hull deck , or structure inside , . Biggest problem with epoxy is once you start usung it you have to carry on for ever !!.
    Oh sure its good but its not the complete answer to every job !!. :p:D:):p
     

  12. susho
    Joined: Dec 2006
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    susho Composite builder

    They are solvents, they thin the grease and other substances on the surface. you do the cleaning part!
     
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