Polyester vs. Epoxy - Better? And How much is enough???

[Omarvelous 10+ year member]

Ok guys 2 part question

PART 1

Which one in your opinion is better for subwoofer enclosures and why?

No he say/she say, personal experience.

Does the extra cost justify buying the Epoxy?

PART 2

How much is enough?

Lets say i had a 12" wide roll of mat, and i stretched it out all the way. And layered it with 3 other rolls, how much of it could i resin with 1 gallon of resin??

Thank you in advanced guys!

Click to read more...

 

[skeptikal Premium Member]

I'd say polyester resin just because its the only thing i've ever used...

Also there is no way to tell you how much of that shit you'd cover if you used a gallon of resin. A gallon is alot but you could need more for a sub enclosure.

 

[fo0manchu 10+ year member]

use polyester for sake of cost, especially with fiberglass. Epoxy resin is stronger as the bonds between the atoms are stronger, but when building a sub enclosure the strength of poyester resin will do fine. Doesn't justify the higher cost, unless you just want to waste money. Epoxy resins are usually used for laying carbon and kevlar, where you need the structural integrity of the product to be high and need the product to be very light. Such as when building a frame of a race car.

 

[ramos 5,000+ posts]

1. depends really, epoxy is better for adhering things. Polyester is a butt load cheaper. There is a little difference in the strength, but at the thickness of a sub enclosure it's almost negligable. I would say polyester for the shear cost factor.

2. Depends on the weight of the mat and or cloth your intending to use. The heavier the mat, the more resin it soaks up. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[twisztdauthorit 10+ year member]

Yes bringing the thread back!... where the hell can i get some Resin for cheap... everywhere i looked its like 70+$ for a gallon when its only 30$ at lowes..

Where can i get a 5gallon container of resin for cheap?

 

[PSturmer 10+ year member]

i am actually testing resins right now.....

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Yes bringing the thread back!... where the hell can i get some Resin for cheap... everywhere i looked its like 70+$ for a gallon when its only 30$ at lowes..
Where can i get a 5gallon container of resin for cheap?

Just get it at Lowes. What are you making that needs 5 gallons?

 

[twisztdauthorit 10+ year member]

Just get it at Lowes. What are you making that needs 5 gallons?

buying in bulk is usually cheaper....

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Until you have to pay shipping and HAZMAT fees.

 

[tRidiot 10+ year member]

http://www.uscomposites.com

 

[twisztdauthorit 10+ year member]

yeah, i guess shipping would be a *****.

Anybody know if there are any stores that carry cheaper stuff.

might just end up shoppnig from the depot/lowes

Is 6$ per 9ft^2 of matt expensive?

seems to me like it is but just wondering

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

www.uscomposites.com

BINGO!!!

nG

 

[hempy 10+ year member]

Screw buying it online. Find a boat shop and go from there.

 

[ramos 5,000+ posts]

Screw buying it online. Find a boat shop and go from there.

I have a friend that owns a performance boat shop that I usually buy from . But due to the increase in oil prices , even getting it through him has gotten ridiculous. And for the installs in a car, I flat out refuse to pay the premium price for epoxy. Buying in bulk can be a good thing if you plan on using it up in a few months. Poly resin, as it get's old slows down the catalytic reaction , requiring the use of more mekp. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[twisztdauthorit 10+ year member]

**** those oil prices. the cheapest gas around here is $3.17 and the highest is up to around $3.59 per gallon

Well now that i realize that there is a shelf life, i better put my epoxy to use. Id rather practice and get better instead of tossing it.

I know epoxy resin$ > the polyester resin$

but lowes and the depot only sell epoxy.

I might just have to look at some boat repair shops and see if i can get some cheaper over there.