5 replies to this topic

[FL Boater]

Is anyone using West Six-10 for tacking (stitch and glue) and then finishing traditionally? I know it's pricey but it is way quick and virtally mess free. Pros? Cons? All responses appreciated. I can vary the fillet size pretty good and the application process is just about as simple as it gets. I have done the piping bag thing for years, and dealt with the mess that goes with it, but have started using Six-10 after talking to the West Guys. They say build the whole boat or do the whole repair with it..... I don't know. Any thoughts out there?

[PAR]

Yep, it's a costly way to go, but efficient if you have a lot of fillets to make. I gave up on the pastry bag thing years ago, especially on long fillets. The goo just kicks off too fast, all massed in the bag. When I have a lot of fillets, I use a 12" drywall knife and smaller plastic body filler applicators. I smear thickened goo all over the 12" knife, about a 1/4" thick. I then use the plastic applicator or a putty knife to pull pieces off the drywall knife. This makes quite uniform deposits on the applicator, which I then smear into the fillet area. Once I've laid down sufficient fairly uniform lengths of thickened goo, I go back with a fillet stick and smooth them out. I adopted this method so the epoxy can live in a shallow, spread out mass, which dissipates heat build up. With some practice, you can apply just the right amount of goo for the fillet size you need. I find it neater and as fast a method as anything else. Think of the drywall knife as a mason's hock and you slice off what you need with a putty knife or plastic applicator.

[Charlie Jones]

Pretty much what I do too. The pastry bag, or using a baggie, just takes too much time and mess. Ususally I can have 10 or 15 feet of fillet done in the time it takes to fill the bag

[FL Boater]

Good idea with the drywall knife, a bit of a painters palet. I hadn't thought of that, and yes exotherm is the main issue I've had with the piping bag next to the mess. And the time filling it is a bit of a pain also. Six-10 is costly, but I've actually been able to re-use the tip a time or two. I cobbled up an adapter for my air compressor nozzle, blown out the goo and stored it in a sealed jar of de-natured alcohol. Blow it out before re-use and squeeze a bit out to insure a good mix and back at caulking the seams. It's the price of the applicators that get you, I'm cheap that way. Actually my Dad thought of it. Don't tell West, they will change it, probably add some sort of a check valve or other contraption!

 

Thanks for the replys PAR, Tehani.

 

Any other thoughts....

[Walkers run]

System three makes a product called GelMagic in a caulk tube with mixing / dispensing tip. Same set up. Don't know if it cost less though. I've never used it, but friends have and love it.

[PAR]

The System Three Gel Magic is 6.45 ounces at $18.99 and the West System six-10 is 6.42 ounces for $19.99 (retail). Both of these can be had as much as 30% less, depending on where you get it.