Gerald,

I would like to say 'Thank you' for the informative post you have provided in answering Paul's questions.

I wonder if it might be possible for you to provide a small amount of product to one or two of this forum's more experienced builders, for the purpose of laying up some 'sample' panels. I think there may be a few people here who would be interested in hearing comments made by some 'veteran builders' on the use of your product - ease of use, clarity, etc.....

I will leave it to those with experience to 'volunteer' to do the testing!!
(Nick, Rob, Jay,......) not meant to offend anyone not mentioned

kelly
mostly lurker, sometimes poster, NEVER used epoxy

: Hello Paul,
: For clear resins and if it is going to be continually be exposed to direct
: sunlight exposure, yes, a top coat such as an aliphatic polyurethane or
: acrylic based resin will be necessary as primary line of defense against
: UV degradation. Please check out our MAX SEAL:
: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270181516708

: Almost all epoxy resin that is commercially sold belongs to the family of
: thermosetting plastic called "aromatics". This group of polymers
: offers excellent mechanical properties but require further modification to
: improve UV stability.

: Aliphatic based resins on the other hand, are the elite polymers that are
: truly UV resistant and exhibit excellent outdoor weather resistant
: properties, polyurethanes of the same family group for example.

: Unfortunately aliphatic “epoxy” resins (cycloaliphatic resin) are highly cost
: prohibitive and typically require heat curing, so the dichotomy of
: aromatic and aliphatic polymers continues…

: We do utilize anti-oxidants, ozone protectors, UV stabilizers (Hindered Amine
: Light Stabilizers or HALS), and UV absorbers in all our epoxy resins to
: improved its resistance from direct sunlight exposure.

: These additives called "sacrificial additives" will absorb/refract
: and compete for the damaging UV energy that sunlight emits in lieu of
: disrupting its host’s cross-linked structure, but just like the law of
: energy states: “matter exist in a constant state of flux” so it to will
: degrade over time.

: Back to the MAX CLR-HP as point of reference; yes it contains all of the
: inhibitors and stabilizers that will make it a UV resistant resin system.
: One of the biggest factors that set it apart from other epoxy formulation
: is how we incorporate these additives into the formulation. Our
: proprietary blending method controls aspect that will noticeably improve
: its color stability and reduce loss of mechanical performance.

: We batch our resins under controlled environment such as moisture and
: temperature during processing. Free radical contamination is also
: controlled as well as exclusion of silicone based surfactants that affect
: interlaminar adhesion and turbidity; finally the batch is vacuum degassed
: to remove any dissolve gasses.

: Coupled with the low plasticizer content in our curing agent, I can say with
: great reliance that the MAX CLR-HP will rival if not out perform epoxy
: resin systems from our competitors.

: The typical process we recommend for applications such as kayak building is
: to use the MAX CLR-HP as the primary resin system for fiberglassing and
: bonding; and then our MAX SEAL as the top coat. MAX SEAL is a hybridized
: acrylic/aliphatic polyurethane water-dispersed polymer that was formulated
: to replace solvent laden systems. The combination of these two products
: forms an excellent synergistic system suitable for kayak construction.

: Well, I can go on and on about the physics, do’s and don’ts of epoxy resins
: and other polymers related to this application, but I think I may over
: explaining the topic. I am sure this group’s collective experience in
: building a kayak is far greater than what I will ever attain. I did
: however build one using the resins I mentioned above. I use it often
: enough here in Southern California’s raging waters from our man-made lakes
: and it still fairs well.

: In any regard, thanks for the inquiry and I am always looking for a
: collaborative effort in building the next one…stealth technology
: perhaps...hmm.
: Gerald L.