: Hello all,

: I buy my epoxy by the gallon. There are times when I need just a
: small ammount- less than what the pump puts out by far. I filled
: some squeeze bottles with resin and hardener to allow for
: squeezing out just what I need. However, it is a guessing game
: on the mix. I'm wondering what you guys do to get a good mix
: when doing small glue-ups with epoxy. I thought about getting
: one of those plastic medicine spoons with the hollow handle with
: gradations on it.

Those are expensive and easy it will be hard to clean them. look for something cheap and disposable, like plastic spoons they give away at restaurants. You can buy packages of plastic spoons at the grocery store.

If your mix ratio is 1 to 2, use 3 separate spoons. If it is 1:4, then use 5 separate spoons. Use your squeeze bottles to fill the spoons. Use one of your resin spoons to scrape the resin out of the other resin spoon(s). Set those aside to be reused. Then use the remaining sopoon to clean the hardener out of its spot. That gives you just two contaminated spoons per batch--use them as your mixing sticks.

: By the way, while I'm on it, although above I'm referring to 105
: resin with 207 hardener, am I the only one that has found that
: West System G5 is VERY sensitive to mix ratios? You really have
: to be sure to get the exact ammounts of resin and hardener with
: that stuff. Also, I'm wondering, is the new G20 flexible stuff
: supposed to have a reddish tint to the hardener? I was at the
: boatyard yesterday getting some more resin and I saw the G20 and
: the hardener was reddish-brown. It looked like what G5 looks
: like when it gets old. Just curious.

I don't use those products, but considering your location, and my experience with my older epoxy components turning an orange color, I'd guess the stuff was sitting on a shelf for a while. My old, funny colored resin works just fine, though-- so the stuff may be in good shape despite its age. (I know I'll get at least two responses from certain boat builders about how THEY are in good shape despite THEIR age, too, thank you!)

But the color is not going to clear itself. If you like the color, go for it. Mix a small batch and see that it works before you commit to a large area. If the mix doesn't set up right, take it back under warrantee and get fresh stock. If you don't like the color, don't consider getting a new bottle, as that is probably what it will look like after it hasbeen mixed and aged a few years. Or, go to the source and email the manufacturer.

PGJ