: I am building a custom wooden bathtub between boats and would like to stain
: part of the wood before glassing. Has anyone out there successfully done
: this? Will the epoxy and glass bond correctly with the stained wood?

: I use System Three epoxy. Should I use water based or oil based stain or does
: it matter? Even if well dry, will the stain run when I wet it with epoxy?

: Thanks for you help.

: Randy

System three puts out a publication called The Epoxy Book. I suggest you get a copy, its very complete concerning their epoxys. I believe that their web site has the same info as well, though it may be less complete there.

Definitely DO NOT use ANYTHING oil based if a layer of epoxy is to go over it. Oil will prevent adhesion of the epoxy better than just about anything else.

Just to be safe, lay up a sample of your wood with the stain you intend to use. Then glass over the sample. Leave a tail of glass so you can attept to pull the glass away from the sample after the epoxy has cured well. If the glass comes off easily and does not take much wood with it, then the stain possibly interfered with the bonding properties of the epoxy. However, if the tail tears before the cloth delaminates; or if a lot of wood is torn away from the sample as it you pull on the tail, you can assume that the bond is good. Remember, the epoxy bond should be stronger than the wood you are using. Good luck. Ricci