30min epoxy

Hi

A simple question from a newbie.

Is a 30min epoxy eg ZAP30 sufficiently waterproof to glue small items eg hatches to the deck? I have had a quick scoot around a range of websites & get conflicting views.

I look forward to your opinions

ATB
Rob

I think it depends on the application. Is it "sink your boat" or just "**** its fallen off".

I wouldn't use anything other than 24 hour epoxy for critical items

Thanks

I will go for a long curing type

ATB
Rob

Being of a scientific bent - I glued two off cuts of plastic together using ZAP30 & left them in water on the windowsill. Soggy & adhesion gone in 14 days.

next experiment - 2 hours immersion twice a week & drying in between.

While I was doing this I also got an email from the company who stated water resistant not proof and suggested :

AnchorTite Waterproof Epoxy

I have not found a UK supplier

ATB
ROb

Try this site:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/SUPER-GLUE-Epoxy-Adhesive-6KWE3

Thanks

I have emailed the UK contact- I will let you know the outcome

ATB
ROb

And good that you have done some actual testing.

Much better than "stories" although I liked the one about Brian A's sub in a warm swimming pool (it was being filmed) that started to shed bits after an hour or so. The warm water was melting and dissolving the rapid epoxy.

David

I have recieved the following from the company - great service.

No good for the wooden deck on U177

ATB
Rob

Hello,



I forwarded your email to one of our distributors who is well versed in using our glues in the hobby industry. In terms of using the Zpoxy for the hull of a boat model he wrote: “It is suitable if the hull of the boat is coated with two coats of Zpoxy finishing Resin, Over the 5 minute or 30 minute Zpoxy. Not sanded between coats, just sand the final coat, prime and paint.”



I asked him about full immersion into water for a submarine model. However, we don’t have much experience with this application and he wrote: “I suspect it would be waterproof, as long as there is NO raw wood subject to water. If water can get to any raw wood, it will seep under the resin and delaminate it.”



At this time we do not have a product that has been tested for the application you are interested in.



Best Regards,

Susie Brown

Marketing Manager

Pacer Technology

I dont very often use epoxy for bonding and I would never use 30min epoxy,I saw a type seven U boat built with 30min epoxy fall to bits in a swiming pool some years ago,I bond most things on a GRP hull with gel coat or resin after all thats what the boat is made off.

The reason I asked the question is that the Engel instructions suggest using 1 hr epoxy in some areas a model shop recommended the product I asked about. Yet experienced modelers say not to (as you do). A clear dichotomy of opinion.

Also at least one epoxy is sold as waterproof but feedback on Amazon says not the case which is then contradicted by another customer.

Having a scientific background I set up a controlled experiment - & contacted the supplier. I now have answers based on my own observation & the manufacturers recommendation.

Hopefully this will be of use to others rather than the "stories" that David describes

ATB
Rob

You can use Zap Goo in some areas since it remains flexible and also makes a very good sealer. This makes it easier to remove a part for modifications in the future.
Gelcoat resin is the best method but there are alternatives to everything and as long as you rough up the fiberglass surface and make sure that there is no remaining mold release left on any surfaces, most any epoxy over 30 minutes will adhere perfectly.