Clear High Performance Epoxy Kits

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the difference between High Performance and Traditional 5:1 epoxy resin kits?

  High Performance Epoxy is clear and more flexible when cured than the Traditional 5:1 Epoxy system, which has higher tensile strength and stiffness. Both systems are used for boat building and repair, composite laminating, bonding, fairing and filleting, but because of its clear color, the High Performance system is also ideal for clear coating applications in wooden boat builds, shallow castings in epoxy river tables, woodworking and art projects.
  
  Each system has its own set of hardeners: High Performance has fast, medium, and slow hardener; the 5:1 system has fast and slow hardeners. Finally, when the 5:1 system cures, the surface is coated with amine blush, a waxy byproduct that must be washed off before additional coatings are applied. The High Performance Epoxy system is practically blush-free.
• Which TotalBoat High Performance Hardener should I use?

  Use High Performance Fast Hardener for the fastest cure and shortest working time at room temperature, or for an overnight cure in low temperatures (minimum 55°F).
  
  Use High Performance Medium Hardener for most common applications, or for an overnight cure at room temperature (77°F).
  
  Use High Performance Slow Hardener for extended working time and cure time at room temperature, or when working in warmer temperature conditions.
• Does this epoxy dry clear?

  When High Performance Epoxy Resin is paired with its Slow or Medium Hardener, the resulting cured epoxy is extremely clear; when paired with its Fast Hardener, it may have a slight amber tone, but in most applications, this is not noticeable. Even if there is a tiny bit of amber color in the hardener, it’s minimized once the resin and hardener are mixed. In thin film applications, such as laminations, there won’t be enough material to show any amber tone. However, if absolute clarity is required for a specific application, Slow or Medium Hardener might be a more suitable choice.
• What does “blush-free” mean?

  Amine blush is a waxy substance that forms on the surface as epoxy cures. It can interfere with the adhesion of additional coatings, so it must be removed gently with warm water and a Scotch-Brite pad. Blush is present in all epoxies but its content in clear epoxy is extremely low. Even so, it’s possible small pockets of blush can collect on the surface so it’s considered best practice to wash the surface with warm water and a Scotch-Brite pad prior to sanding.
• Is High Performance Epoxy Resin UV resistant?

  Most epoxies have poor UV resistance and must be coated with varnish, a polyurethane clear coat, or other UV stable coating.
• Is High Performance Epoxy Resin food safe after it’s cured?

  This epoxy is BPA-free, and is considered safe for indirect contact with food, once cured.
• How do I apply High Performance Epoxy?

  Application method varies by project type. You can apply using a spreader, syringe, or roller. For shallow casting, pour at a maximum thickness of 1/8th – 1/4th inch depth, per layer. Pour multiple, shallow layers, for best results.
• Can I use High Performance Epoxy in cold weather?

  Yes, but cold temperatures make the viscosity of resin and hardeners increase and may require more force to pump thicker materials. Excessive force on either one of the plunger heads may also cause the pumps to break. Dispensing material at 60-70°F is recommended for optimal pump performance.
• What are the ideal working conditions?

  Epoxy is very sensitive to application temperatures. The minimum recommended temperature for all hardeners is 55°F. The recommended temperature for dispensing via pump is 60-70°F.
• What is the working time of the High Performance Epoxy?

  10 minutes for fast hardener, 25 minutes for medium hardener, and 40 minutes for slow hardener.
• What is the recoat time of this resin system?

  You can recoat once it tacks up a little, about 25 minutes at 77 degrees.
• What is the mix ratio of this epoxy by weight?

  When using Fast Hardener: 100A:46B. When using Medium Hardener: 100A:45B. When using Slow Hardener: 100A:45B. The first number is the amount of epoxy resin; the second number is the amount of hardener.
• Do I need to sand epoxy between coats?

  Light sanding is recommended, followed by an oil-free solvent wipe or a clean cloth moistened with either isopropyl alcohol or plain water to remove dust.
• How should I prepare this epoxy for primer after sanding?

  After the epoxy has cured, wash with warm water just in case there is any amine blush, sand smooth and wipe the surface with a clean, lint-free rag dampened with acetone or denatured alcohol.
• Will epoxy still cure if mixed at an incorrect ratio?

  No, unlike polyester resin, epoxies require a very specific resin to hardener ratio in order to cure properly. You will need to remove the epoxy and start over. Solvents like acetone may be used to remove the uncured resin.
• Can I leave the pumps in the resin containers?

  Yes, you can leave the pumps on in the resin and hardener containers when not in use for a few weeks, but for longer-term storage, we recommend that you pull the pumps out, clean them, and put the original caps on the resin and hardener containers.
• Can this epoxy resin be thinned?

  We don’t recommend thinning High Performance Epoxy with any type of solvent, because solvents can drastically change the properties of the epoxy. Heating the resin slightly is the best way to thin it because it makes the epoxy more workable, without changing the chemical composition.
• How many square feet will one-gallon of mixed epoxy cover?

  When poured as a coating or for sealing a surface, one gallon of mixed epoxy yields approximately 25.6 square feet at 1/16" thickness, 12.8 square feet at 1/8" thickness, and 6.4 square feet at 1/4" thickness. More information on epoxy coverage can be found in this epoxy coverage guide.
• Is this resin compatible with fillers?

  Yes, this epoxy system can be used with various fillers to thicken it for bonding, fairing, filling, and filleting. It can be mixed with fillers such as colloidal silica (also known as silica thickener), milled glass fiber, wood flour, or microballoons. Add fillers after epoxy resin and hardener are mixed thoroughly. More information on epoxy fillers can be found in our blog.