Victor, It is my understanding that epoxy resins do stick to polystyrene resins, but not the other way around. I can't say anything specific about the "isophthalic" polymer. The draw back of epoxy resin construction is that it has little resistence to UV light and should be covered with another product if it is going to be in direct sun light. I use epoxy resin and fiberglass on a lot of my construction. I am also a fan of what is called penetrating epoxy. I coat new construction wood with it. However, in doing so in my engine room, I found that I had to scrub and sand the work before I could coat it with BilgeKote paint which does not cover the amines left on the surface of the epoxy. Specifically I was instructed to, "wash the entire surface with hot water, soap and a stiff brush and allow it to air dry for 1 day. Then sand the surface with 80 grit sandpaper and wipe clean with 202 Fiberglass Solvent Wash. Then apply 1-2 coats of 404/414 Epoxy Primekote, thinned 25% with 2333N Reducing Solvent, followed by Bilgekote. The purpose for the washing is to remove the Amine Blush which comes from the curing of the epoxy and will need to be removed for good adhesion." Having said that, your project doesn't sound as if you will be in that situation. DavidO
--- On Sat, 4/4/09, flitebuilder <[email protected]> wrote: From: flitebuilder <[email protected]> Subject: [UnifliteWorld] Calling all Fiberglass Experts (Flybridge reinforcement) To: "UnifliteWorld" <[email protected]> Date: Saturday, April 4, 2009, 6:19 AM Hello all, I have decided on how to reinforce the flybridge on my 36' SS. It is a 1973. Structurally I do not think that there is any issues. Just due to the age of the boat the fly bridge deck flexes a bit when a heavy person walks on it. Heavy to me is 250 lbs or larger (I fit into this catagory). I am also going to install a custom aluminum antenna mast on the raer of the flybridge deck above the overhang in cockpit. This will add weight and increaded wind loadings to the flybridge deck structure. There is no reinforcement in the structure. The only thing I found was some wood strips used to attach the headliner, otherwise it is just laid fiberglass matt over a ?wood? core. What I am planning to do is purchase some fiberglass I beams and run 2 or 3 of them from port to starboard and Epoxy and glass them to the ceiling in the salon. I am then going to run two beams from the loacation of the antenna mast forward to the first transverse I-beam and tie it all together with glass matting. My biggest concern is the folowing. The only FRP I-Beams I can find are made from the following resin: "isophthalic polyester resin" I cannot find much compatibility info on this material. I want to know if it will be compatible with the Resins used in the boat and the Epoxy Resin I am using for all of my other fiberglass work. I have been using the Epoxy resin and fiberglass cloth in the bilge to install new Oak plywood for fuel tank and generator mounting surfaces, along with repairing some small delaminated sections where the engines mount to the stringers. I have been using Clear Cote 421 Epoxy Resin. It is very strong and not too expensive ($55.86 a gallon). Any help and thoughts on this is very appreciated. Thanks, Victor --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "UnifliteWorld" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/UnifliteWorld?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
