Penetrating epoxy

[Drinky Crow]

I know, I know......

For rot in a balsa cored deck. West claims using their extra slow hardener is better than either sys 3 or Smiths because the latter contain "solvents".

https://www.epoxyworks.com/index.php...y-legend-myth/

What have you used/prefer?

[Bill O]

Unless you get the water out and the balsa is dry, it will be difficult to make a repair w/penetrating epoxy.

A diy penetrating epoxy is standard 2 part epoxy w/1-2% acetone (or more). The solvent helps the dry wood wick up the epoxy and also increases the cure time.

Progressive epoxy has some good info on penetrating epoxies if you don't mind wading through poorly laid out web pages (keep scrolling down) https://epoxyproducts.com/penetrating4u.html

[Simi 60]

For rot in balsa cored deck remove and replace core.
Do it properly.

[Drinky Crow]

Thanks Bill - Simi no, not for ~4". Larger sure.

[thinwater]

Nope.


It takes years for water to wick latterly across the core structure of balsa. No epoxy will wick, it will only fill the empty space, making little strong pillars.


And yes, adding solvents to epoxy or any other 2-part resin weakens them a lot.

[JPA Cate]

@ Drinky Crow,

Actually, be glad it's only 4", but still, remove the top, scoop out the balsa mush, make the patch, epoxy it in. Repaint the area. Probably the hardest part will be the color matching. Look at you tubes for that, before you try.

Ann