Tag Archives: Tom Pawlak

G/5 Adhesive Tips

Working with G/5 Resin & Hardener

By Tom Pawlak — GBI Technical Advisor

Above: To simplify mixing G/5 Resin and Hardener for a large project, Grant made a carrying pallet with sixteen holes, sized to hold 1-ounce mixing cups (pill cups purchased at a food service outlet). The pallet was covered with duct tape so glue drips could be peeled away. Note that a mini cupcake pan could be dedicated to this kind of task as well.

Many of us at Gougeon Brothers experiment with WEST SYSTEM® products on personal projects at home as well as at work. We often push products and techniques beyond the limits recommended in our literature. Sometimes the experiment fails, sometimes we discover something very useful. Continue reading →

protective skin creams

Protective Skin Creams

Do they interfere with adhesion?

Above: Protective skin creams. Photo by Nati Melnychuk on Unsplash

By Tom Pawlak — GBI Technical Advisor

We recently completed adhesion testing for a boatbuilder who was concerned about surfaces being contaminated by workers who use protective skin creams. The builder wanted to be sure that residue from the protective creams did not contaminate objects touched by workers throughout the day. We tested five products: Derma Shield™, Gloves in a Bottle™, Unique Skin™, SBS 46 Protective Cream™, and SBS 40 Medicated Skin Cream™. Continue reading →

The putty knife scraper used as a push scraper.

Scrapers—Versatile Tools for Working with Epoxy

By Tom Pawlak — GBI Technical Advisor
Above: A putty knife scraper is being used as a push scraper.

My first experience with cabinet scrapers occurred shortly after hiring into Gougeon Brothers. Bill Slaby, a wood/epoxy technician who specialized in mold building, routinely used cabinet scrapers to remove irregularities on cured epoxy coatings. Continue reading →

fiberglass tub and shower repair

Fiberglass Tub and Shower Repair

By Tom Pawlak

Construction of fiberglass tubs and showers uses methods and materials similar to those for building fiberglass boats. Gelcoat is applied to a mold and allowed to cure. Then chopped fiberglass and polyester resin are applied over the gelcoat and worked into the surface. To create a stiff and strong fiberglass tub or shower enclosure, the laminator uses a grooved roller to compact the fibers against the gelcoat. The quality and strength of the laminate depends on Continue reading →

Create a positioning fixture by laminating several layers of fabric over the part to be machined. Use mold release, tape or plastic wrap to protect the part. Glue the drill bushing in position with G/5 Five-Minute Adhesive.

Make Shop Tools Quickly with G/5

By Tom Pawlak — GBI Technical Advisor

Above: One example of how to make shop tools quickly with G/5: Create a positioning fixture by laminating several layers of fabric over the part to be machined. Use mold release, tape or plastic wrap to protect the part. Glue the drill bushing in position with G/5 Five-Minute Adhesive.

Gougeon Brothers’ G/5 Five Minute Adhesive can be used in an infinite number of ways to repair and build a great variety of projects. From filling stripped screw holes in drywall to repairing broken wooden furniture, its versatility is limited only by one’s imagination. I value G/5 in my workshop because its quick cure time lets me build quality jigs, fixtures, and molds that are available for use almost immediately. Continue reading →

Repairing individual gelcoat blisters

Repairing Individual Gelcoat Blisters

By Tom Pawlak — GBI Technical Advisor

Gelcoat blisters can be a serious problem if left unattended. At some point, your hull may need extensive repair, including gelcoat removal and epoxy barrier coats as described in Gelcoat Blisters: Diagnosis, Repair & Prevention. However, if you have isolated blisters and a manageable number to repair individually, we often recommend that you patch individual blisters and continue to use the boat until you determine the cause and extent of the problem. Continue reading →

SCHEHERAZADE

By Tom Pawlak — GBI Technical Advisor

On a break from the Maine Boatbuilders Show in March, we visited Hodgdon Yachts, Inc. and found significant progress on their latest build, a 155′ Bruce King designed wood/epoxy ketch, named Scheherazade. This is Hodgdon Yachts’ largest wood/epoxy vessel to date. The project is roughly 60% larger than Antonisa, the 124′ sailing yacht they launched last year. Continue reading →

Bonding to Corian™ and Wilsonart™ Laminates

By Tom Pawlak — GBI Technical Advisor

We recently did adhesion testing to Corian and Wilsonart surfaces with WEST SYSTEM 105 Resin and 206 Hardener at the request of a composite panel manufacturer. Corian and Wilsonart are mineral filled acrylic panels that look like granite and are often used as countertop material in kitchens and offices. Cabinetmakers and contractors typically use the panels in ½” thickness for residential applications. They are quite heavy, though not nearly as heavy as actual granite. Continue reading →

Plastic Boat Repairs

By Tom Pawlak

Editor’s note: this article was written in 2000, years before we formulated G/Flex 655 epoxy which has superior performance with plastics. The basic plastic boat repair methods described here still represent best practices, but for optimal results use these methods with G/flex 655 epoxy on plastics.

Molded plastic canoes and kayaks are incredibly tough and durable. Occasionally though people damage them and call us for repair recommendations. Considering that plastic film is often used as a mold release for epoxy, you can see what we’re up against when we try to bond to it. Continue reading →