Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked Rapid Set Questions:
Marine-Tex products are available at most marine supply dealers, boat yards, and marine retail stores. Check your yellow pages under boat equipment or marine supplies for the dealer nearest you and ask for Marine-Tex. (Many Ace Hardware stores, along coastal and lakefront regions carry the White and Gray, 2oz. and 14oz. kits of Marine-Tex Epoxy Putty.)
Also, some suggested web sites to check out are:
www.nealsharbor.com
www.jamestowndistributors.com
www.hopkins-carter.com
www.go2marine.com
www.ShipStore.com
www.fisheriessupply.com
www.westmarine.com
www.defender.com
(Try keywords: epoxy, travaco, or marine tex when searching sites.)
Although this 1:1 epoxy paste is not as strong as 5:1 Marine-Tex Epoxy Putty, it does provide a good bond to fill cracks and voids in fiberglass, steel, aluminum, wood, cast iron and many hard plastics.
About 5-10 minutes working time at 72°F.
Sets up in minutes, full cure in a one hour at 72°F.
No, Rapid Set is not rated for potable water repairs.
Frequently asked TE-KA Questions:
It is not recommended for other types of wood (because it is an aggressive cleaner), but can be used if both parts are diluted equally (by half) with water. Try a small test area first.
Always keep water on hand, clean the surface with a clean, wet rag. If the TE-KA has sat on the surface for a period of time, take toothpaste and TE-KA Part B (mix together well) and scrub the surface well.
The TE-KA has been sitting on the deck too long, or has dried to the surface. Be sure that the deck is not saturated with water (i.e., let dry if just finishing an application of TE-KA.) Wet the deck, wash it again with Part A and water, scrub well (more than normal) and finish washing with Part B.
Frequently asked Gluvit Questions:
Materials are packaged in our facility by weight (ex. 2 lb or 8 lb.) All Gluvit containers are slack-filled (they are not full.) This leaves enough room for a power mixer to blend the resin and hardener entirely in one can.
Yes, any type of epoxy-friendly pigment is recommended. It will be tinted, no dark color will be achieved. (Fibre-Glass Evercoat’s pigments work well.) Do not use more than 5% pigment per total volume of epoxy.
To overcoat Gluvit after cure, wash the surface with warm soapy water or a dilute vinegar solution and a fine abrasive pad, or wet sand, then dry with clean towels or cloth. Frost-sand surface with 80-100 grit sand paper to remove any gloss.
Gluvit can be overcoated with any marine paint or other coating compatible with epoxies. Check with your paint supplier and make sure the coating you are using is epoxy friendly and suitable for your application.
UV rays can deteriorate the epoxy, it will chalk (get cloudy) and possible crack over time. If there is no exposure to sunlight (ex. bottom of boat), there is no problem.
Depends on temperature 60 minutes at 72°F.
Yes, Toluene, Xylene, Xylol, or Lacquer thinner in small amounts (no more than 5%.)
No, Gluvit is not resistant to gasoline.
Gluvit can be used to protect the outside of an aluminum gas tank. Gluvit is an excellent barrier coat system that encapsulates the metal to protect against corrosion and pitting.
Dry rot is a common problem on boats with wood cabins. Gluvit™ can help to restore damaged wood and seal it against further deterioration. Gluvit has a long “open time” that allows it to penetrate deep into porous or rotted wood.
Drill small holes in the damaged area and fill with Gluvit. It will be absorbed by the wood and its hard protective coating will seal against further attack by vermin or weathering.
Gluvit’s protective waterproof coating strengthens stringers, decking and molding, and it flexes with hull movements to maintain effective bridging. It also seals cracks, chips, pinholes, leaky seams and rivets.
Gluvit is similar to amber in color.
Gluvit is the consistency of paint. It is easily applied with a brush or roller.
No, Gluvit is not rated for potable water repairs.
Yes, Gluvit performs well on properly prepared concrete. Make sure the concrete is fully cured and free of any contaminates including dust, dirt, grease, oil, etc. Apply the Gluvit with a roller or brush and allow to fully cure. Any areas exposed to direct sunlight should be overcoated with an epoxy friendly coating after full cure.
If Gluvit is still wet, clean tools with soap and warm water. Rubbing alcohol can also be used. Be sure to wash down all tools and surfaces before the epoxy cures.
Frequently asked FlexSet Questions:
FlexSet will adhere to plastics (like Polyethylene Starboard & Marine Lumber, PVC, Hypalon©, Lexan©, vinyl, acrylic, rubber and ABS), metals (especially soft metals like copper and aluminum), glass, wood and fiberglass.
FlexSet will not adhere to unclean surfaces that are greasy or oily. Also, any surface that contains Teflon, silicone or polypropylene.
FlexSet easily repairs Hypalon® material when used with a patch. Clean the repair surface with MEK and lightly sand to create a profile. Apply the mixed FlexSet to the clean patch and smooth over the damaged Hypalon®.
Yes. FlexSet has an amazing ability to almost push the water aside so that it bonds directly to the repair surface. The attraction of the FlexSet to the repair area increases as the material reaches full cure (24 hours in 72°F)
Once fully cured, FlexSet can withstand temperatures from -40°F to 200°F.
Yes. We recommend epoxy-friendly coloring agents, like Fibre-Glass Evercoat’s. Do not use more than 5% pigment per total volume of epoxy.
15 – 30 minutes working time at 72°F.
FlexSet will fully cure in 24 hours at 72F
Yes. FlexSet is sandable and paintable after a full cure. Be sure to use an epoxy friendly paint that is suitable for your application.
No. FlexSet is not rated for potable water repairs.
Both Starboard® and Marine Lumber are types of polyethylene plastic. FlexSet is one of only a few adhesives that can achieve a bond to polyethylene plastic. Please keep in mind that it is necessary to flame-treat the Starboard® or Marine Lumber to prep it correctly.
Polyethylene is designed to be a non-stick, easy-to-clean surface. It’s chemical make-up is designed to reject anything from adhering to the surface. FlexSet conquers this problem, creating a chemical bond to the surface, when used with the flame-treatment method.
The flame-treatment changes the polarity of the surface, making it ready for a strong adhesive (FlexSet).
Once the area is flame-treated (per the directions) you will notice the polyethylene has lost its glossy look. A quick test to be sure the area is prepared correctly is to run a small amount of water over the surface. If the polyethylene was treated properly the water will “sheet” and run off the surface slowly. If the water beads up and runs off normally the flame-treatment was not successful.
We recommend bonding within one hour after surface treatment.
FlexSet will create a chemical bond to the surface, but mechanical fasteners will still be required in high stress areas.
We do not recommend flame-treating any project that may be associated with flammable materials. Flame-treating of items such as fuel tanks, chemical tanks, pipelines or other flammable containers is not recommended due to the danger of explosion or fire.
Frequently asked Marine-Tex Questions:
Marine-Tex is not rated for potable water repairs.
Yes, after it has fully cured Marine-Tex is drillable and tapable.
Yes, Marine-Tex Epoxy Putty is resistant to gasoline and diesel.
Yes, please see “how to…” section for details.
Depends on pressure and conditions. Up to 250°F constant temperature in a dry environment, with spikes up to 300-325°F.
Metal, fiberglass, glass, masonry, ceramic, wood, most plastics.
Plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene, and also any unclean, oily, greasy, or otherwise contaminated surface.
Only the White Marine-Tex can be pigmented. No pure color will be achieved by adding pigments. (We recommend epoxy-friendly pigments, like Fibre-Glass Evercoat’s.) Do not use more than 5% pigment per total volume of epoxy.
Gray. The Gray Marine-Tex is stiffer in contrast to the White Marine-Tex which is better for fiberglass repairs.
No, Gray Marine-Tex contains no metal fillers.
Two years in a closed container at moderate temperatures.
Depends on temperature, half an hour at 72°F.
No, it will change the physical properties of the Marine-Tex.
Yes, but the Marine-Tex is likely to wash away in moving water while it is trying to cure. The FlexSet is better for underwater applications because it is of a denser consistency. If you would like to try an underwater application, mix the epoxy above the water, then deposit it on wax paper or plastic wrap. Slide the wax paper or plastic wrap onto the palm of your hand with epoxy facing up. Take it below the water line and apply to surface. Be careful not to smack or pancake the product onto the surface, this will trap water under the epoxy. Instead, roll the epoxy onto the repair to push water out of the way. Leave wax paper/plastic wrap on the repair while full cure takes place for best results.
Yes, the Marine-Tex is an excellent choice for repairing gouges or holes that are located below the water-line. Once cured, Marine-Tex is impervious to water and many chemicals. Since putties will go only where they are placed, be sure that the Marine Tex has completely encapsulated the problem area. It is a good idea to sand the perimeter of the repair so that the Marine-Tex achieves a grip on the solid surface around the repair.
Epoxies need heat in order to cure. If your application temperature is not at least 60°F you must apply heat to the area before, during, and after the application in order for it to cure. We recommend you place a shop lamp approximately 12″ – 18″ in front of the application. The lamp will provide heat at a constant rate, so that the material’s temperature is always constant. Do not apply a heat gun or hair dryer to the area, these types of heat will heat the area too much.
If Marine-Tex is still wet, clean tools with soap and warm water. Rubbing alcohol can also be used. Be sure to wash down all tools and surfaces before the epoxy cures.
General Questions:
The product information you are looking for can be found on our Safety Data Sheets Page.
These specifications can be found on our Technical Data Sheets Page.
Products can be purchased through our distributor network. Click here to find the distributor closest to you.