proper resin or epoxy to "sand texture" my foam?

IPT · #1 10/28/2007, 03:00 PM

So I used some aquamend and plastic coat hanger "dowels" to build some cool overgangs. I filled in a little with the Great stuff foam. What does HD or Lowes have to paint on/seal the foam that I can adhere sand too? I found super glue Epoxy Adhesive - for general use. Two syringes that squirt evenly for mixing. HArdens in 5 min. Will that work? Other ideas from HD, Lowes, or Wally-world that me be better?

IPT · #2 10/28/2007, 06:14 PM

anyone know if this will work?
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...081&lpage=none

IPT · #3 10/28/2007, 11:32 PM

No one epoxy'd foam besides Twigsy? Someone must have used some stuff to do this...

speckled trout · #4 10/29/2007, 12:13 PM

You could probably use fiberglass resin. It's thick and should be waterproof when completely cured. Just mix the sand into the resin/catalyst and "paint" it onto the form you've made. Should work.

IPT · #5 10/29/2007, 01:45 PM

This is a new world for me. What exactly would I be looking for at Lowes or HD, "Fiberglass resin"? Or just resin? There would be two parts correct, the resin and a seperate catalyst? Appreciate your input BTW.

BrassMonkey · #6 10/29/2007, 03:26 PM

the polyester resin sold at at hd is affected by UV and will yellow.

IPT · #7 10/29/2007, 09:37 PM

hopefully it will be enbedded with sand so that should not matter. As long as it is inert, will seal the foam, and hold the grains of sand, that's all I care about.

slandis3 · #8 10/29/2007, 10:05 PM

I dont think the polyester resin is 100% water proof. You could use garage floor paint

IPT · #9 10/30/2007, 03:07 AM

Gararge floor paint? I haven't heard anyone mention that before. I guess it certainly would be durable, but would it not leach anything? Have you used this sucessfully?

Someone out there must have used some product from Lowes or HD without wiping out their tank, no? Anyone how's done this?

shyland83 · #10 10/30/2007, 04:59 AM

I would use an epoxy resin. West systems epoxy at west marine. more expensive than polyester resin tho.

slandis3 · #11 10/30/2007, 06:18 AM

there is a guy on here somewhere that used behr 2 part epoxy floor paint fom home depot. his tank has been running for 1.5 years no problems

IPT · #12 10/30/2007, 05:08 PM

2 part epoxy floor paint? I'll take a look for that. I'll also look for a Marine shop around here.

aries70 · #13 10/30/2007, 05:50 PM

This is the Epoxy Paint I used I got it at lowes for like $50

My Plywood tank has been up 6 months with no problems what so ever. Just make sure it's the water based paint.

Aries

IPT · #14 10/30/2007, 09:22 PM

I am going to look for that Aries. I also just read something about "Potable" epoxy paint for tubs and basins. Maybe they have something like that cheeper (smaller batch). Anyone use or know of such a product?

slandis3 · #15 10/30/2007, 11:33 PM

epoxy paint is expensive. im not sure your going to find anything cheaper than the lowes stuff.

IPT · #16 10/31/2007, 02:10 AM

Yeah, I should have figured that. Reef stuff is almost as bad as medical equipment when it comes to price!!

tgreene · #17 10/31/2007, 08:49 AM

I used Bondo resin to completely seal my large plywood tank, then painted it with a couple coats of Behr 1-part garage floor paint and let it cure for about a month in my garage... It's been running flawlessly since July 1st.

-Tim

IPT · #18 10/31/2007, 12:07 PM

Always good to have options!! Looks like I'll be crusin the isles at HD or Lowes tonight! Thanks for everyone's input.

speckled trout · #19 10/31/2007, 05:03 PM

Quote:

I used Bondo resin to completely seal my large plywood tank

Bondo resin is just thickened polyester resin(fiberglass resin)

slandis3 · #20 10/31/2007, 06:05 PM

you use bondo to fill the voids like screw heads. Then cover the whole thing with epoxy.

tgreene · #21 10/31/2007, 06:17 PM

Bondo is a brand, not just a specific type of product.

slandis3 · #22 10/31/2007, 06:33 PM

im going to use bondo body filler then coat it with epoxy

IPT · #23 10/31/2007, 09:01 PM

Well Lowes has the resin as above, and for 10$ more a gsllon of Behr garage floor epoxy paint. No way I need a gallon. I know they use fiberglass in big aquarium displays - anyone think one of these is safer than the other? Which would you use? I'll spend an extra 10$ for piece of mind.

tgreene · #24 10/31/2007, 10:39 PM

For the best piece of mind, do what I did and use BOTH!

slandis3 · #25 11/01/2007, 12:40 AM

use the fiberglass resin along with the woven matt fo the corners and seams. You can get a small can of resin, if the dont carrie it at your lowes, go to an auto parts store they will have it. Then give it a coat or three of epoxy paint.