Boatbuilding & Marine Restoration Supplies

Why is dust extraction so important when sanding a boat?

A clean surface is particularly important in marine finishing because sanding dust left on the substrate can affect subsequent coatings and the quality of the final surface. Mirka Abranet is designed for effective dust extraction during sanding, helping to keep the work area and substrate cleaner while also extending abrasive life. For larger sanding jobs, pairing the abrasive with a suitable Mirka dust extractor can significantly reduce airborne dust and the amount left on the surface.

How do I choose between West System 205 Fast and 206 Slow Hardener?

The choice is largely about working time and the conditions in which you're working. West System 205 Fast Hardener gives a shorter cure time and is useful when you need the epoxy to move through the job quickly, while West System 206 Slow Hardener gives you more working time, which can be particularly valuable for larger laminating, bonding, or repair jobs. Temperature also affects cure time, so the working conditions need to be considered alongside the size and complexity of the job. The West System 105 Resin can be paired with either hardener.

When should I use an epoxy filler rather than neat epoxy?

Neat epoxy is useful for bonding and sealing, but modifying the resin with the appropriate filler can give you much better control for particular jobs. West System 406 Colloidal Silica thickens the epoxy to prevent it running from vertical or overhead joints and creates a strong mixture suitable for bonding and filleting. West System 403 Microfibers can be used where a strong adhesive mixture is required, while 407 Low Density Filler produces a lighter mixture that is easier to sand when fairing surfaces.

How can I achieve a high-gloss finish after sanding?

The quality of the polish depends heavily on how well the surface has been prepared, so it's important to remove sanding marks progressively rather than expecting the compound to correct a poorly prepared surface. Mirka Polarshine 10 is a medium-coarse polishing compound designed to remove sanding marks and is suitable for paint systems and scratch-resistant clear coats. It is water-based and silicone-free and can be applied by machine or by hand, making it suitable for bringing a prepared surface to a high gloss.

How do I avoid epoxy running on vertical or overhead surfaces?

A standard mixed epoxy can be too fluid for some vertical and overhead applications, particularly when you're trying to create a fillet or maintain an adhesive layer in position. Adding West System 406 Colloidal Silica increases the viscosity and helps prevent the mixture running, while also producing a strong, smooth mixture for bonding and filleting. This gives much better control than trying to compensate by applying a large quantity of unthickened epoxy.

How do I choose between an epoxy repair and a conventional wood adhesive?

The two systems solve different problems. A conventional wood adhesive such as Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue is appropriate for many wood-to-wood joints where the surfaces fit closely, whereas West System 105 Epoxy Resin with the appropriate hardener is useful when you need gap filling, greater control over the adhesive thickness, or a system that can be modified with fillers for particular repairs. West System epoxy has been used in the marine industry for decades specifically for boatbuilding and repair.

What if I need a product that isn't in this collection?

If you need a product for a boatbuilding or marine restoration project that isn't currently listed in the collection, call the Restorate office on 01285 831668 and we can order it for you. Our office is open 8am–5pm, Monday to Friday, and orders placed before 4pm are eligible for next-day delivery, subject to product availability.