I'll be purchasing my west system epoxy resin on Monday. I'll be using it to repair fiberglass cracks, as a body filler, and as an adhesive on various parts. Which filler will I need to make my own body filler? Which other additives do you recommend?

 

West System also make makes fillers to with the epoxy you mentioned. I'm familiar with these as my father owns a boat dealership and they use these products in their body shop. Here's your two basic fillers they offer and the differences between the two.

Adhesive Fillers vs. Fairing Fillers

Fillers are used to thicken the basic resin/hardener mixture for specific applications. Each filler possesses a unique set of physical characteristics, but they can be generally categorized as either Adhesive (high-density) or Fairing (low-density).
Adhesive filler mixtures cure to a strong, hard-to-sand plastic useful in structural applications like bonding, filleting and hardware bonding.

Fairing filler mixtures cure to light, easily sandable material that is generally used for cosmetic or surface applications like shaping, filling or fairing.

ADHESIVE FILLERS

403 Microfibers
403 Microfibers, a fine fiber blend, is used as a thickening additive with resin/hardener to create a multi-purpose adhesive, especially for bonding wood. Epoxy thickened with microfibers has good gap-filling qualities while retaining excellent wetting/penetrating capability. Color: off-white.

404 High-Density Filler
404 High-Density filler is a thickening additive developed for maximum physical properties in hardware bonding where high-cyclic loads are anticipated. It can also be used for filleting and gap filling where maximum strength is necessary. Color: off-white.

405 Filleting Blend
This strong, wood-toned filler is good for use in glue joints and fillets on naturally finished wood. It mixes easily with epoxy and lets you create fillets that are smooth and require little sanding. Its color is a consistent brown, so 405 can be used to modify the shade of other WEST SYSTEM fillers.

406 Colloidal Silica
406 Colloidal Silica is a thickening additive used to control the viscosity of the epoxy and prevent epoxy runoff in vertical and overhead joints. 406 is a very strong filler that creates a smooth mixture, ideal for general bonding and filleting. It is also our most versatile filler. Often used in combination with other fillers, it can be used to improve the improve strength, abrasion resistance, and consistency of fairing compounds, resulting in a tougher, smoother surface. Color: off-white.

FAIRING FILLERS

407 Low-Density Filler
407 Low-Density filler is a blended microballoon-based filler used to make fairing putties that are easy to sand or carve. Reasonably strong on a strength-to-weight basis. Cures to a dark red/brown color.

410 MicrolightTM
410 MicrolightTM is the ideal low-density filler for creating a light, easily-worked fairing compound especially suited for fairing large areas. Microlight mixes with greater ease than 407 Low-Density filler or microballoons and is approximately 30% easier to sand. It feathers to a fine edge and is also more economical for large fairing jobs. Not recommended under dark paint or other surfaces subject to high temperatures. Cures to a tan color.

Hope this helps!

 

Nice write up. I was gonna jump all over this one, since I was a West Systems dealer. But, you got all the bases covered!

 

Excellent product. I used the West System on my 68. Also, get the resin and hardener measuring pumps.
Bryan

 

i use it also works great for me i chop up streds of cloth to make a homemade type of bondo mix the resin and hardner, then apply to both sides of repair area then mix the shreds into resin mixture and apply with a brush or roller [wear gloves for mixing and applying] you can shape, mold ,or repair any area like this and remember its not only good for eary vettes but good for smc panels as well

 

I was aware that west system sold fillers - what I was referring to was which of those fillers do you guys recommend. I want to be able to make my own "bondo". I also will be applying some fiberglass matte/epoxy resin to vertical surfaces...so do I need to thicken the epoxy a bit or am I okay ?

I'll be buying the following:

Epoxy Resin 105
Fast Hardener
Slow Hardener

Which adhesive fillers/fairing fillers do you guys recommend for working on vertical surfaces, as well as for making my own "bondo"? I'll be using it on SMC panels.

 

I like the Evercoat product line. I havent heard of the West system, will have to look that up.

 

i use the 4o4 when thicking the resin , i also use slow hardener but as i said earlier i mix the resin with the chopped shreds from the cloth, i take a sissor and cut up a small bowl of them about 1 or 1/2 inches then mix some into the resin ,mix for the density that you would be easyist working with, example more cloth less liquid it absorbs the resin you just have to play with mixtures till you get comfortable with it ,remember to make small amounts as it still dries pretty fast when its in the container

 

I think Evercoat uses a vinylester resin as opposed to an epoxy. It is also a good product and easy to use.

 

I used the West System epoxy gear to built a canoe when I lived in the UK. Excellent stuff and easy to use... just beware of the mixing and ratios as it can 'self-combust' if you're not carefull... nothing major just a lot of heat and smoke in the mix pot... i did it first as a trial to see what happened so when i was working on the boat i knew what to keep an eye on!

 

Stinger
I use 407 to make SMC friendly BONDO. Is fills well, sands well and is easy to use.

 

I agree...get the pumps. It takes all the guesswork out of measuring.

 

Curt, where is your dad's dealership? I need to do a few repairs to some hidden parts of the 77, and I'm looking for supplies.

 

Sam,

He's boat dealership is at Lake of the Ozarks. I'm going down there next weekend. Let me know what you need and I'll see if I can get it.

Check your PM, I sent you a message yesterday.

 

Curt,
I sent you an email reply. Did it not get through?

I need some epoxy resin to bond two half inner fenders together (joint is going to be through the narrowest part over the a-arm), and something to glue the back of the inner fender back into place, re-attach about 8" of the bottom of the right front fender at the door opening, and re-attach about 4-6" of the driver's door to the steel frame. Would he have anything in small quantities?

 

Yeah, I suppose he should. When I get down there next weekend I'll ask his bodyman what he thinks would work.

 

Cool.

I'm going to be modifying a blower fan housing for the taller C4 fan, too...so I'll need to find enough resin for that job as well. I have plenty of mat, and I have a gallon of the polyester fiberglas resin, but it's not very compatible with the SMC stuff.