Delivered as a mini kit, West System offers a solution for many repairs. The kit includes the resin and its hardener, low and high density fillers (depending on the repair), syringes for mixing, mixing jars, spatulas, protective gloves and instructions.
A complete kit
The West System kit is based on its epoxy resin which has a strong adhesion on all materials: wood, aluminium, steel, gelcoat, plastic... This resin is liquid. It mixes with hardener (5 doses of resin for 1 dose of hardener). To this liquid are added loads that ensure bonding or mechanical connections between the parts. These loads are low or high density. At low density, the result is easily sanded and used to make coatings. The high density loads ensure a very strong mechanical bond for bonding.
Be careful, first mix the hardener with the resin and then add the filler. Mix gently for 2 minutes to prevent air from entering the resin. Be prepared, as the pot life of the product is about 15 minutes at 20°C. Small trick, the pot life lengthens a little if there is less volume of resin. You can therefore divide your mixture between several pots to increase its shelf life.
The filler is added according to the consistency you want to obtain: syrup, ketchup, mayonnaise or butter! For charging, count about 2 to 3 times the volume of resin. In the kit you will find 403 filler (microbead filler for bonding and sealing) and 407 filler (low density microballoon filler for mastic or coating).
Ensure bonding and leave
To glue 2 pieces of wood one on the other, they must first be impregnated with resin. With a brush, one brushes with pure resin (liquid). No need to put a lot of resin, it must enter the wood fibres.
Before making the fillet joint, wait about 45 minutes. The resin has to harden a little, but still remains"in love". On contact with the finger, it should still be a little sticky, but not sticky on the finger.
With a mixture, resin + filler, on the 2 fields to stick. Then apply the 2 pieces of wood opposite each other, holding them in place. Be careful not to press too hard so that all the resin does not escape.
You can clean the excess with a spatula.
Then we realize the joint leave. To do this, the material is placed so that it reaches the bottom of the angle. With a rounded spatula, pass over the corner to make the joint.
Then simply clean the edges with a flat spatula. If you are afraid of not working properly, you can use masking tape.
Surprising resistance
West System allows very resistant repairs. You can use it to fix a screw that screwed up, to fill a hole, to secure a screw. In some cases, the filled resin can be used to make bases.
