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All epoxies are not the same. Look for non blushing epoxies - even if they cost a few bucks more. With a blushing epoxy (most of the epoxies sold are blushing epoxies) - you might always wonder if you have a good bond between coats and why you're paint isn't sticking. Plus you have to wash the surface between coats to remove the visible or invisible blush. If the epoxy manufacturers really cared about your needs, they would only sell you non-blushing epoxies. (speaking in general terms - there are always exceptions). More about amine blush - CLICK HERE.

Also, cycloaliphatic curing agent based epoxies are probably more durable then straight amine curing agent based epoxies. Even these high end epoxies can be found for in the $30's per gallon. Search the web for cycloaliphatic epoxies and you will find all sorts of pages on electrical insulators and how cycloaliphatic epoxy insulators are replacing ceramic insulators because the cyclo epoxies are durable enough for years and years of exposure on the top of telephone poles. The electrical insulator industry doesn't even consider 'regular' epoxy insulators.

Nonyl phenol is a non solvent additive that can be used added to either Part A or Part B. It does have some useful properties, but is often more widely used to 'water down' the epoxy, making it much cheaper to manufacturer and giving the vendor much higher profits.

FORMALDEHYDE - one of the major epoxy vendors uses formaldehyde in their curing agents! Check the MSDS of your vendor's epoxy for this chemical.

Some epoxies are non-hazmat to ship (again very few) - big thing here is that the non hazmat curing agents generally have a more gentle exotherm and slower more uniform curing - (doesn't get super hot, melt containers and turn hard in the blink of an eye). Note that the hazmat epoxies must be shipping by ground, not air, but generally no additional cost. Non-hazmat curing agents tend to be amber colored, hazmat curing agents can be amber or clear.

Hazmat or not - the ones with a more gentle exotherm always seemed better to work with - no worry of 'bubbling up or melting' the areas you are working on.

The 'serious' marine epoxies are formulated using the raw resins manufactured by the giant chemical companies. Many (some?) low cost epoxy vendors merely repackage these raw bulk resins. Not a good thing!

Finally, mix ratios as close to 1:1 or 2:1 are better as they tolerate slight errors in the mix ratio better. Given an error in a 5:1 mix ratio and you can suddenly be mixing it at 4:1 and not knowing it. The result might not be good.

And what about temperature? If you're working in cold weather, say building your boat in winter/early spring, you'll be better off using a "Low Temperature Cure" version of our No Blush epoxy. Working in hot summer weather? We have warm weather curing agents for our Basic No Blush™.

BASIC NO BLUSH™ - our most popular all purpose marine epoxy - great value and price!

non blushing

easy mix ratio

blendable hardeners

nice medium viscosity

no VOCs (solvent free)

no formaldehyde in the formulation

formulated product - not simply repackaged raw resins from the big chemical companies

best prices!

PREMIUM NO BLUSH™ - non-hazmat for quick AIR shipping and shipping outside the USA - cycloaliphatic curing system

non blushing

easy mix ratio

cycloaliphatic curing system

blendable hardeners

nice medium viscosity

no VOCs (solvent free)

no formaldehyde in the formulation

no nonyl in the formulation

formulated product - not simply repackaged raw resins from the big chemical companies

non hazmat to ship!

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Marine Epoxies - Some Basic Info
Some epoxy basics for users of marine epoxies - what to look for, etc.