Epoxies and polyesters are both amazing for doing repairs and filling gaps. But can you use polyester resin over epoxy? Or is that even a good idea?
Let’s take a look at how these two materials compare, answer some frequently asked questions about using polyester resin over epoxy and cover some other tips for getting the best results from your projects.
Can you put resin over epoxy?
Polyester resin and epoxy are different products. While it’s possible to use polyester resin over epoxy, it’s not recommended.
The purpose of using either product is to create a hard surface on top of wood or fiberglass. Epoxy adheres better than polyester, but both have the ability to bond quickly with wood so that you can start applying paint or another finish after only hours (rather than days).
It’s important to remember that the more coats you add, the longer it will take for your surface to cure completely; this means that if your goal is speed instead of aesthetics at first glance, consider using just one coat rather than two or three.
Table of Contents
Will polyester filler stick to epoxy?
Polyester filler will stick to epoxy.
When applying polyester resin over epoxy, you’ll want to use a brush and some water. The water will help make sure that the two surfaces are bonded together better, which means less sanding later on.
Brush both sides of your piece instead of just one side so it’s smooth all around. Sand down any areas where there is too much filler buildup so that the two finishes match up evenly after curing for several hours or overnight.
Can you fiberglass over epoxy?
Epoxy is a great surface to start with, but you might want to add a layer of fiberglass. Fiberglass is a great way to cover large areas, such as the hull of a boat. If you’re planning on using fiberglass resin over epoxy, here are some tips:
- Use the right ratio of resin to hardener. To get good results with your project, you’ll need just enough hardener so that it’s not too soft or brittle and will last longer than just straight epoxy would. You can mix them together in any proportion you like—just keep in mind that mixing too much hardener into your resin will make it take longer for them both to set up and cure properly (though this isn’t necessarily bad).
Which is better epoxy or polyester resin?
In general, polyester resin is more flexible than epoxy. Polyester resin can be applied to curved surfaces, which makes it ideal for boat building and other complex objects.
Epoxy also has a higher tensile strength than polyester resin, so if you’re attaching two objects together and need that additional strength, epoxy is the better choice.
However, there are many factors that go into deciding which type of adhesive to choose—and oftentimes depends on the project at hand. For example:
- Epoxy is more resistant to water than polyester resin (though not completely waterproof).
- Both epoxies and polyesters are UV-resistant but differ in their heat resistance capabilities; polyesters resist heat better than epoxies do—they tend not to break down under high temperatures (around 200°F).
Will resin stick to resin?
Resin is a highly versatile product. It can be used for many things, and it’s not uncommon for people to use epoxy resin to repair broken items or adhere two pieces of wood together.
However, this doesn’t mean that you can use epoxy resin in place of polyester resin. In fact, the two kinds of resin won’t stick together at all!
The answer then becomes obvious: if you need to glue something with epoxy, then use another product like superglue instead. The same goes for when using polyester—you’ll want some other kind of adhesive like hot glue (which will stick perfectly fine) instead
Can you sand epoxy and recoat?
Yes, you can sand epoxy resin and recoat. It’s possible to sand the surface of a cured epoxy-based coating with fine grain sandpaper or a fast-cutting compound on an orbital sander.
If you’re planning to recoat your surface, it’s recommended that you use the same type of coating as what was originally applied.
For example, if the original surface was coated with epoxy resin, then any subsequent coatings should also be made with an epoxy product (such as Interlux Perfection Plus).
When working with other types of paint besides polyurethane or acrylics (which are typically more sensitive to solvents), it’s important not to let the first coat dry before applying another layer; otherwise they may become bonded together and impossible to separate later on down the line!
What can you put over epoxy?
Epoxy’s a great product, but it can be a little tough to work with. For example, if you need to fill in the cracks of an epoxy-based piece or add another layer of protection—say, with polyester resin—it can be tricky.
- Polyester resin: Polyester resins are basically the same as epoxy except they’re easier to work with and don’t require as much curing time. They come in different viscosities (thin and thick), which makes them good for varying projects like filling holes or applying layers over existing pieces.
- Polyester filler: This material is basically like epoxy filler but made from polyester instead of epoxy. It has similar properties as well—so if you want something that will bond well to your existing piece and strengthen it while also filling any gaps or imperfections on its surface, this might be your best bet!
Is Fibreglass resin the same as epoxy resin?
Fiberglass resin is the same as epoxy resin.
In fact, fiberglass resin is a two-part resin, just like epoxy! The difference is that one of those parts isn’t a hardener; in its raw form, it doesn’t set at all. Instead, you have to mix the liquid with a hardener before adding it together with your fibres and curing agent (if any).
After mixing, you have about 20 minutes to apply the mixture onto your surface before it starts setting. You’ll know if this has happened because then you go from having runny glue-like material on your hands/brush/etc.
which is easily spreadable over surfaces; to having something more like wet concrete—which has very little elasticity and can be hard to manipulate into place without having some sort of other tool or mold in which to squeeze out excess water until it becomes thicker yet still soft enough not break on its own accord while being shaped into place by hand around whatever object(s) need coating by this semi-liquid substance just waiting for some attention before becoming solidified into an object too rigid even for tools designed specifically for working with such materials!
Conclusion
So, what have we learned? Well, first of all, it’s important to understand that there are many different types of resin. The most popular is polyester resin, which is great for large projects like boats or car bodies.
Epoxy resins are used in smaller applications because they cure more slowly than polyester resins do. You can use epoxy or polyester fillers over either type of resin and they will stick well; however, epoxy fillers work better on surfaces that aren’t completely flat because they don’t contain any fibers like fiberglass does (which means you can use them on uneven surfaces like walls).
Also keep in mind that mixing two different types of resin together will cause an exothermic reaction (heat up when mixed together) so make sure that both compounds are compatible before mixing them together!
