Anybody have stringers fail on them after replacing them using polyester resin?

[madstories]

I'm having a hard time deciding to use epoxy or polyester resin for the stringers on my f/g boat hull. I know that epoxy has a stronger bond on a repair, but its expensive. Has anybody ever had stringers repaired, or any other part, with polyester, and had it delaminate a few years down the road? Any real reason not to trust it?

 

[tpenfield]

I don't recall seeing anyone have trouble due to polyester. Poor workmanship would be the greater cause for a short-lived restoration.

If you use epoxy for the stringers, you will most likely need to stay with epoxy for the entire restoration. . . . the reason being is that the poly will not adhere to the epoxy because of the amine blush that usually remains on the epoxy surface.

 

[Scott Danforth]

poly is fine, you just have to grind the old stuff to prepare the surface. (you still have to grind the old stuff with epoxy)

 

[ondarvr]

Has anybody......yes.....with both types of resin. You at least need to do an adequate job for it to last.

 

[sphelps]

Clean glass with fresh poly no problems ...Good wipe down with acetone before new glass ...

 

[Woodonglass]

All the EEEEEEEpoxy guys will tell you that the Poly will absorb water and delaminate. All the Poly guys will say " Bull#*!*" Each of them have pro's and con's I LIKE poly and have never had any of my laminations De-Laminate.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Trust the experts above they know what they speak. I'll just add that boats are constructed using polyester resin. Boats rot from the bottom up prematurely from poor upkeep. A properly performed restoration will last decades as long as the boat is properly cared for.

 

[madstories]

Thanks everybody. Im much more comfortable with proceeding. I guess I read too much crap from companies trying to sell epoxy.