Epoxy mess?

[Kit Basher]

I don't use a lot of epoxy, but there is no substitute for it when I need it. Because I use so little, I have been buying the Devcon in the metal tubes. The problem is, once you open those tubes, they leak and make a total mess. Is there any alternative for small quantities of epoxy that would get me out of this "sticky situation"? TIA

[Modelbuilder Mark]

I switched to getting the kits that have separate bottles. Once I use the amount I need, I have small bits of paper towel torn off with a little thinner on it, and then clean the tips off before putting on the caps again. Once I went to the separate bottles I have not had much of an issue since.

[Cato]

X2 Exactly what Mark said. I use lacquer thinner. I mix on a soft plastic coffee can lid and also immediately wipe with thinner too. Stays new forever.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Besides wiping them off carefully immediately after use, I find that keeping tubes of anything, including epoxies, standing on end with the cap up (in something like an old coffee cup) pretty well eliminates the mess from leakage.

[Kit Basher]

Thanks Mark and Cato. So far the smallest bottles I have found are 4 oz. It would definitely take me a couple of years at least to use that much. Do you guys have any problem with shelf life?

Thanks Bill, a simple yet elegant solution. I will definitely give that a try.

[High octane]

I've been usin' the tubes for years, and yes they do leak and the caps crack as well. This last pair of tubes was great with no leaks. I just may try the bottle next time. Thanks!

[spencer1984]

Besides wiping them off carefully immediately after use, I find that keeping tubes of anything, including epoxies, standing on end with the cap up (in something like an old coffee cup) pretty well eliminates the mess from leakage.

I used to do this, but had one leak down the length of the tube, making a worse mess than anything I had before. Now I store them cap-down in an old soda can; they can leak as much as they want to without getting the bench messy, and when I need it I just use a piece of paper towel to remove and hold the cap until it goes back in the can.

[karbuildr]

Hugh, to answer your question about shelf life, I've been using the same bottles of two part epoxy for about 6 years. Never had any issue with shelf life, at least so far. The bottles last a long time and in my opinion are infinitely better than tubes.

[Cato]

I agree with David. Mine is 3+ years old and I only bought it because I felt bad about keeping the old one for 5 years. Worked fine as long as you mix 50% / 50%.

[Kit Basher]

Thanks David and Cato. I'm headed to the store tomorrow and will see if I can pick up some bottles.

[1930fordpickup]

So where are the bottles sold all I find are tubes? I must be looking just past them thinking they are something else. All two part epoxies have a shelf life. If your house gets very not in the summer it will affect the epoxy as it does with two part filler and epoxy for me.

[Ace-Garageguy]

All two part epoxies have a shelf life.

100% correct.

Though you may not notice degrading performance with the low-end epoxies people usually use on models, industrial and aviation epoxies are considered to have shelf lives ranging from 6 months to two years, or thereabouts (from the time of manufacture, not the time of purchase).

Carefully controlled testing will show a slow decline in how well the stuff works over time, and it's even illegal to use some of it that's gone out of date in certain applications...like aviation...though it still seems to work perfectly well...sorta.

Andy is right about heat being a factor too. Keeping your materials cool, sealed, and in a low-humidity environment is a good way to prolong their life, and measuring / mixing carefully, even with the hardware-store "50-50" grades, will give you the best possible results.

[1930fordpickup]

A pattern shop I worked at 22 years ago had an epoxy called the west system. The boss used it to glue his swim platform together for his boat. That was the strongest glue I ever worked with.

[Ace-Garageguy]

A pattern shop I worked at 22 years ago had an epoxy called the west system. The boss used it to glue his swim platform together for his boat. That was the strongest glue I ever worked with.

West System epoxy is still around. It's certified for use on some kitplanes (real ones). I also use the West 105 resin as the base for my microballoon filler, when I want something that I know won't give me any trouble down the road. http://www.westsystem.com/ss/105-epoxy-resin/

[1930fordpickup]

Thanks Bill . I think he purchased it at a marina .

I just did the search from your link and 4 marinas and a hardware store by Lake Erie carry it.

Edited April 15, 2015 by 1930fordpickup

[Modelbuilder Mark]

So where are the bottles sold all I find are tubes? I must be looking just past them thinking they are something else. All two part epoxies have a shelf life. If your house gets very not in the summer it will affect the epoxy as it does with two part filler and epoxy for me.

most hobby shops have them, Hobby Lobby does, Michaels etc.

[1930fordpickup]

Thanks Mark I must be looking right past those.