Thinning Epoxy

[Peter A]

Hi Guys
Due to being on a four week covid19 lockdown I was unable to get epoxy thinners. I am doing a new build (ML GP 310 and will post a thread soon)and want to thin some resin. I have West System 105 resin and 205 hardener. I recall a post which I think said you could use methylated spirits. Is this a working solution? Otherwise I will just have to use unthinned resin, which is okay but I would like to get a thinned layer in first.
Thanks for any answers or tips.

[jaike5]

I thinned mine with dentured alcohol
J.

[NativePaul]

i use IPA and/or heat, meths is basically alcohol with bad smelling and tasting additives so will probably work fine.

[Peter A]

I have meths and I cannot go and buy anywhere as the only shops open are service stations, chemists and supermarkets. Although I do need to go to a chemist to get something for my daughter. I might ask them. What about isopropyl?

[fweasel]

isopropyl alcohol will work as long as its at least 90% or better

[Peter A]

I have some 100% isopropyl at my workshop. I will get a little of that next week. One problem solved!

[ray schrauwen]

I thinned mine with dentured alcohol
J.

Same. Where do you get it up here Jay? I got some from Michigan.

[jaike5]

Hey Ray how are you doing ?
I got mine from the Mercantile here Minden , its a controlled substance now that its used for refining drugs. used to be able to get 5 gallon jugs at the home depot.
Now I can only get 500ml at a time, with questions. Tac shops (horse) have it as well .
Cheers, Jay.

[fweasel]

That's funny how local ordinances can have adverse effects on a simple hobby. We can't buy spray paint in Chicago city limits.

[785boats]

Hi Pete.
I always use methylated spirits.
I was told by a chemist that it is the same as denatured alcohol.

I was also told that it is best to measure out the desired amounts of resin & hardener & then thin down the resin to the consistency required, & then mix in the hardener.
I don't know what difference that makes. I just do it because I was told to.

[Peter A]

Hi Pete.
I always use methylated spirits.
I was told by a chemist that it is the same as denatured alcohol.

I was also told that it is best to measure out the desired amounts of resin & hardener & then thin down the resin to the consistency required, & then mix in the hardener.
I don't know what difference that makes. I just do it because I was told to.

Hi Paul
Thanks for that. I was looking for an easy answer from someone's experience. I have meths so can try that. I just want to get the thinned resin to soak into all the joints etc. Will do f/g and c/f reinforcement where needed after that.

[Boat Nut]

I get my dentured alcohol from an automotive paint store, 1 gal jugs around $19.

[Peter A]

I get my dentured alcohol from an automotive paint store, 1 gal jugs around $19.

Methylated spirits worked, it is pretty much the same thing. Nothing is open here to get it anyways. Another two weeks yet!

[ray schrauwen]

Methylated spirits worked, it is pretty much the same thing. Nothing is open here to get it anyways. Another two weeks yet!

Try farm supply or Tractor supply stores.

[jfrabat]

Not sure about boats (I am just building my first one, and I thinned it this way when glassing it; I will let you know if it holds up!), but in planes, I always diluted the epoxic resin with alcohol. And I just used good old fashioned rubbing alcohol; nothing fancy. It would only delaminate when doing very rough landing (especially when the glide path was perpendicular to the ground! Well, some people would call it crashing, not a rough landing...). I used this same thinning technique when glassing the boat I am finishing. Have not run it yet, but the glass mat seems to be staying put fairly strong.

[NativePaul]

I have heard pilots say that any landing you can walk away from is a good one. If you apply that to models, it can't be a crash unless you hit yourself.

[jfrabat]

I have heard pilots say that any landing you can walk away from is a good one. If you apply that to models, it can't be a crash unless you hit yourself.

I never did hit myself... I hit others (twice, actually!) but never myself! I do know someone who did (and ended up with a huge bruise on his belly!).