Bote-cote epoxy

[peter.coombe]

I have been using the bote-cote epoxy system on a big boat restoration project I am doing and am quite impressed with it. Easier and much more pleasant stuff to use than West System. It has hardly any odour and the hardeners are completely clear of any amber tint. Should make a very good pore filler. I stopped using West System for pore filling because it is such horrible stinky stuff. Who is using Bote-Cote for pore filling or CF tow? What hardener are you using? Do you use TPRDA in the first coat?

[nkforster]

I've been using Bote Cote since I arrived here. I get the crystal + non yellowing version. Whilst the smell isn't terrible, I would advise a mask and gloves. As one feller told me - when working with epoxy, there are two types of people. The ones who are allergic, and the ones who aren't...yet.

[Allen]

I've been using it for years. And would never go back to WEST Systems. I use the Crystal and Non Yellowing hardener and always use TPRDA.

[rocket]

What is Bote Cote like to sand in comparison to West’s and Z poxy?

Rod.

[Allen]

What is Bote Cote like to sand in comparison to West’s and Z poxy?

Rod.

Never used Z Poxy but compared to WEST Systems it sands like a dream. You'll kick yourself into next week for not switching sooner.

[peter.coombe]

So what is the crystal resin? I have been using normal resin for the boat. What is the difference? I can't find anything on their web site nor in the small book they produce, although mine is now quite old and may be out of date.

[Allen]

As far as I'm aware its clearer than the regular resin. I've only ever used it after talking with the chemist, explaining what I was using epoxy for and it was his recommondation.

Also if you want to make up by weight here are the exact weights from an email he sent me. I often just make up 5 grams of resin, 2.2 grams of hardener when I'm gluing up a fret board or pore filling one small uke.

Hello Allen,

The weight ratio is 44 parts of hardener to 100 parts of resin.

For the first coat, add TPRDA, 20% by weight of the mix. So if making 15 grams, use 10 grams of resin, 4.4 grams of hardener and 2.88 grams of TPRDA.

Of course these figures are too finicky to do with readily available scales. I suggest 36 gram mixes, using 20grams of resin, 10 grams of hardener, 6 grams of TPRDA.

(These are quite close enough, it does not have to be absolutely precise.)

[Mike Thomas]

Allen, do you use TPRDA when using Bote Cote as a glue e.g. for a fretboard, as well as for pore filling?

[Allen]

Only when pore filling. I found that with some timber it works better to use the TPRDA in at least 2 coats, but that could also be that I'm in the tropics and it will want to kick over quicker than in cooler climates.

Adding the TPRDA definately thins it out so it penetrates into the timber.

[vandenboom]

Gents - how much working time does it allow? Approx shelf life once opened ?
Thnx. Frank

[Allen]

It has a very long shelf life. I buy the 1 litre resin and I go through it in about a year. I know that the regular and tropical hardener will yellow with age, so I always use the non-yellowing hardener.

I typically make up 10 grams of resin plus 4.4 grams of hardener to pore fill a couple of instruments at one go. In Cairns in the summer 30+C at the very least in the shed it will be workable for about 20 minutes with it. I always let it cure overnight before sanding back.

[David Stiles]

EcoPoxy might be worth looking at as an alternative. I worked with it on a mates fibreglassing project. Nice to use & virtually no odour. Apparently it's plant based.