Coloring Resin?

[cwadams]

When I use the 3:1 Epoxy Resin to seal up the deck extension. I will be using it as well on the lids I created. My boat is green with metal flake. I did not want to open the lids and see plywood. I plan on carpeting and wrapping the lids but from the pictures on the forum the best I can tell is that the carpet is wrapped about 2 inches. Is it possible to "color" the resin?
I don't know I was thinking add green paint and some metal glitter flake?

[ProcraftMike]

Yes, you surely can color the resin. They sell the coloring agents for it. I did the same thing on my boat. I mixed up the resin to get the color, then applied it. You can add glitter to try and match the sparkle, but it is not easy. I tried mixing the glitter with the resin, but then it coats the glitter and you can't see it. I ended up carefully spreading some glitter over the top of it. The only problem with this, is it normally doesn't settle into the resin and you get a rough surface.

What I ended up doing, was using the resin, laying the glitter over the top and then putting on several coats of varnish (Z-spar is good)over the top, to cover up the glitter. Be careful if you use varnish, as it normally has a yellowish tinge to it.

I suppose you could also just add the glitter to first coat of the varnish.

All in all, it turned out pretty decent on my boat. Take your time, just don't expect showroom results.

[ProcraftMike]

After thinking about this. In your case, I would just paint the underside of the lids instead. You can try and find a green close or just use a totally different color. When I added an extension on mine and new plywood lids (where the front seats where), I just used a flat black paint and I think it looks fine.

Just seal the plywood up real good (2-3 coats) with epoxy resin first.

[BASSCAT7]

CW

Here is what you want to use to add color to resin.

http://www.jamestowndistributo...=2078
Glitter needs to be added into the clear resin to be seen.

You can color the resin green, spray that ( or brush )

Then use the clear resin and mix the glitter in and put a coat over top of the green.

[cwadams]

When I bought my resin I only bought 1 gallon. Should I have bought more?
Your project was similiar to mine, I have stolen eh....umm... borrowed pics from your project in looking at what to do to mine.

I will probably go with the paint.....have you tried painting and THEN clear resin over that?

[rangertom351]

Getting actual gelcoat and a very inexpensive tinting kit will accomplish things very well.

Most importantly it will seal and almost waterproof the plywood and it will GREATLY extend the life of the wood. Very important to coat the bottom edge very very well. I would personally apply at least one layer of fiberglass to all the wood areas and lay 2 layers on the bottom edges and any cut edges. After glassing the wood, brush on a thick layer of gelcoat and after that dries to a very tacky state apply a final dress coat of gelcoat with a surfacing agent additive in it. ( this is very inexpensive and it would only take a couple ounces for a half gallon of gel-coat. Its made by dissolving grated parrafin wax in styrene) It is the only way to not be left with a sticky, stinky finish on the backside. The same surfacing agent will also work if added into a final layer of resin brushed over your entire project to eleminate all that stickiness from polyester resin fiberglass work

[ProcraftMike]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cwadams &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">When I bought my resin I only bought 1 gallon. Should I have bought more?
Your project was similiar to mine, I have stolen eh....umm... borrowed pics from your project in looking at what to do to mine.

I will probably go with the paint.....have you tried painting and THEN clear resin over that?</TD></TR></TABLE>

If it is all the wood that is in your posted picture, I think 1 gallon will cover it. I put 2 coats of epoxy resin down first, then painted over the top. If you don't cover the resin with something, it will eventually turn yellow. You can always spray a clear over the paint, if you want that look.

[northrivergeek]

A gallon will usually do say , 2 layers of 1.5oz mat on a front deck, with one layer on the back side. But wait to get more until you need it.. dont buy the junk at automotive stores!

If you dont have a local fiberglass supply house, get on the net ebay, uscomposites , etc you should not be paying more than 25-30 per gallon of polyester resin , epoxy runs 60-100 per gallon, plus hardner, but the epoxy is more water proof and stronger.

If you do buy from a hardware store, automotive, etc etc .. check date on bottom date first number is the year, second and 3rd number is month IE 0503 if it is more than 12 months old dont buy it!

I do most of my work in polyester because of cost, but I am gonna use epoxy for gluing my floor sections to stringers, and the top cap, to floor and transom, its gonna take 1 - 2 gallons for me to do that