EPOXY RESIN
Progressive Epoxy Polymers, Inc.
"The Right Epoxy Fixes Darn Near Everything!"
NO SALES TAX - You are shopping in TAX FREE New Hampshire
We are the only technology based coating/epoxy/resin company that actively encourages your phone calls, not just during our East Coast work hours but also after/before hours, evening, weekends and even holidays. We're available when you are. We form a personal relationship with our customers and freely share technical information, how to-advice, product information and tips-and-tricks. Speak with a non-salesman technical professional with over 25 years of experience in the resin/coating/epoxy industry (no newbie staffer on the phone lines!). Floors, tables, boats, leaks, rot repair. We handle it all!
Your Host and Tour Guide:
Paul Oman, MS, MBA - Progressive Epoxy Polymers, Inc. (floor epoxies, marine epoxies, underwater epoxies, repair epoxies)
Member: NACE (National Assoc. of Corrosion Engineers), SSPC (Soc. of Protective Coatings)
WoodenBoat Marketplace sponsor
"Professionals helping Professionals since 1994"
Questions? / Phone order? / EMAIL / CALL 603-435-7199 EST / BUY ONLINE
GOOGLE SITE SEARCH - Click here Epoxy specific site search
Click here - YouTube video. Learn about Progressive Epoxy Polymers Inc.
THREE MUST READ WEB PAGES
MPRICES - 2 part marine epoxy pricing issues - CLICK HERE -
MEPOXIES - comparing 2 part clear marine epoxies - CLICK HERE -
EVAL4U - how to evaluate your marine/non marine epoxy vendor - CLICK HERE - (you are here already!)
If your "HELP" person can't explain nonyl-phenol, cyclo-aliphatic epoxies, epoxy adducts, MCU urethanes or LPU polyurethanes, they're salespeople and not coating professionals. If your "SUPPORT" person won't return your call on a Sunday afternoon, they're not really interested in you. At Progressive Epoxy Polymers/EpoxyProducts.com we are your Help and Support Professionals.
Buyer Beware - Vendor Evaluation Questions
Honest, customer/people focused companies belong to the Better Business Bureau and/or their Local Chamber of Commerce. They have manufacturing date or batch numbers on all their products for quality control and better customer service. Most will list the professional qualifications of their technical staff. They provide contact information and can be reached nights and weekends.
BACKGROUND: There are two types of epoxy vendors. The 'serious' professional grade epoxies are formulated by beginning with the raw resins manufactured by the giant chemical companies. Call these companies EPOXY FORMULATORS. Generally the low price epoxy vendors merely repackage these raw bulk resins. Not a good thing! Call these companies EPOXY REPACKAGERS. Lots of repackagers focus on the marine epoxy marketplace. Repackaged epoxy It is the difference between Moonshine and Jack Daniels. Use only FORMULATED SPECIAL PURPOSE EPOXIES LIKE THOSE SOLD IN THIS WEB SITE. Going cheap can have very $$$ consequences.
Does the epoxy blush (also known as Amine Blush, Epoxy Blush, Blush)? Blush is a waxy layer that forms on the surface of cheaper epoxies when they cure. If your vendor's epoxy doesn't blush, they will mention it proudly. If blushing is not mentioned, you've learned two things: it probably does blush and the vendor doesn't think you should know.
Does the vendor accept credit cards? Credit card purchases protect both the buyer and seller. From the buyer's perspective there is no acceptable reason why the vendor cannot or will not accept credit cards.
Does the vendor recommend two or more coats of epoxy when it seem reasonable that one coat will do? Each extra coat is easy money for the vendor.
Is the epoxy manufactured in the same country you're in? Overseas shipping of small amounts of product is expensive, and refunds, exchanges, returns, and insurance claims are difficult. Beware of vendors that hide the origin of their product.
Is the vendor pushing you to purchase mixing sticks at 3 for $1.00, pricy special purpose ‘kits' containing tiny amounts of epoxy, or their own overpriced thinner or clean-up chemical (instead of telling you which clean-up product to buy at the hardware store)? Such actions are in line with $6 hospital aspirin.
If an underwater epoxy, does it contain MDA. If it does, possible chemical concerns.
Does your epoxy Part B use cycloaliphatic curatives?
The best epoxies do!
Epoxies are chemicals and all chemicals in the USA require something called a MSDS (material data safety sheet)
The MSDS lists basic chemical composition, safety hazards and restrictions. They can look pretty scary - the MSDS
for coffee might shock you. You should get a MSDS when you buy epoxy - or at least get it if you ask for it. If
you have trouble getting a product MSDS there is probably something in or something about the product the vendor
would rather you did not know.
Is the vendor trying to sell you many different kinds of epoxies? Epoxies are not as task specific as most vendors
would want you to believe. Often with the addition of thickening agents or cure accelerators one product will handle
all your requirements. Less money for the vendor, more for you. From my perspective, there is often little or no
difference between using an epoxy as an adhesive and as a coating.
Is your epoxy sold through an extensive network of distributors and outlets? Despite the convenience, that's not
a good thing. Lots of distributors means the product is priced for the distributor's gain, not for the end user's
benefit. See User Friendly Pricing.
Most epoxies are now solvent-free (also know as 100% SOLIDS or 0% VOC). Many so-called penetrating epoxies are
just epoxies with lots of solvents. Save the mark-up and add you own solvents. An epoxy with 50% VOC means you're
only getting half the epoxy you're paying for.
If the product directions tell you to let the epoxy sit for a period of time after mixing and before you apply
it, that's called Induction Time. Generally only the lowest quality epoxies require an induction time wait.
The better epoxies are pretty tolerant of slight errors in mixing ratios. If your epoxy directions keep stressing
exact mixing, or require special mixing pumps, beware. Pumps aren't offered purely for the convenience of the end
user. More often they are for the protection of the vendor.
Mix ratios close to 1 to 1 are generally better than ones very different in ratio. Closer mixing ratios allow more
give-and-take when working with either Part A or Part B.
With the good epoxies the components don't crystalize in storage and separation or settling during storage is minor
or non-existent.
Some epoxies generate dangerous (excessive) amounts of heat at the end of their pot life and some epoxies are much
more brittle than others. To evaluate these characteristics you will probably have to test samples of each vendor's
product, or talk to users of the products.
There is no such thing as free. Vendor trade show booths, four color ads, fancy packaging, free booklets all come
out of your pocket when everything is said and done.
Does your online/mail order vendor - include product literature, MSDS information, shipping/tracking numbers, and hardcopy invoice with your order? Is the packing first rate (double boxes, peanuts, protective plastic bags around each item, etc)? Batch numbers on the epoxy chemical cans?
The Blue Ribbon companies do pretty much all of the above. The worst companies just throw your order into a box with no paperwork or information.
Buyer Beware - Vendor Evaluation Summary
1) All epoxies yellow in UV and over time. It is the chemistry of epoxies. If someone tells you they have a non yellowing epoxy, they are not being honest. If they had such an epoxy, everyone else would too.
2) epoxies are industrial chemicals. Demand/request BATCH NUMBER for your epoxies. If not provided that supplier is hiding something or is very un-professional.
3) The coatings / chemical industry has professional - scientific societies for its technical professionals. Ask for the professional affiliations of the person giving you technical advise (are they ex-Walmart employees reading out of a technical binder?). Are the junior staff on phone duty or senior professional staff?
4) Ask where the epoxies are manufactured (the technical professionals within the company will certainly know). Confirm by viewing the MSDS/SDS document which MUST be available to you online by via fax. Mote that this is not the same as the PRODUCT DATA SHEET.
5) Email / call for support or sales help outside of normal business hours, including weekends and holiday. The companies that put you first will answer the phone immediately or return your call / email within hours, but before and AFTER the sale. (our east coast # 603 - 435 - 7199).
6) For more ways to evaluate your epoxy vendor vist our web page epoxyproducts.com/eval4u.html
A favorite 'trick' of mine is to email a question to a vendor and see if, or how long, it takes them to reply. Especially over a weekend or holiday. Actually, it is my experience that most email product questions are ignored. Email replies tell you lots about the personality of the company you are considering doing business with. The good ones reply quickly so you don't lose much time in placing your order.
Or better yet, call them on a Sunday morning, Friday night, or at 10 PM. Try us: 603-435-7199
| BIG list of internet links for: FLOOR EPOXY PAINTS - GARAGE FLOOR COATINGS BIG list of internet links for: EPOXY BOAT BUILDING - REPAIR - MARINE EPOXIES - BLISTER FIXES - BARRIER COATS BIG list of internet links for: EPOXY REPAIRS - ROT - LEAKS - PIPE REPAIR - UNDERWATER REPAIRS BIG list of internet links for: EPOXY BASICS - GETTING STARTED WITH EPOXIES - EPOXY 101
|
MARINE CATALOG LINKS
1) Our marine/boating epoxy site (www.epoxyproducts.com/marine.html) which then links to:
***********
Section One MARINE - CLEAR EPOXIES sometimes called 'goo' ***********
Section Two FILLERS THICKENERS ADDITIVES ***********
Section Three THICKENED EPOXIES - EPOXY PUTTIES - sometimes called 'goo', ETC. ***********
Section Four EPOXY PAINTS (barrier coats) ***********
Section Five URETHANES AND NON-EPOXY COATINGS
Section Six NON-SKID DECK COATINGS ***********
Section Seven MARINE REPAIR (fiberglass cloth etc) PRODUCTS ***********
Section Eight MISC. MARINE PRODUCTS ***********
CATALOG LINKSHOME - INDUSTRIAL (NON MARINE)
Our industrial/commercial/home site (www.epoxyproducts.com/main.html) IF YOU ARE NOT DOING A BOAT RELATED PROJECT, START HERE WITH THIS LINK.
Section A EPOXY PAINTS ***********
Section B FLOOR EPOXIES (regular and non-skid products), SEALERS, ACCESSORIES ***********
Section C THICKENED EPOXIES - EPOXY PUTTIES (sometimes called 'goo'), ETC.
Section D CLEAR EPOXIES - CLEAR COATINGS ***********
Section E NON-EPOXY PAINTS COATINGS SEALERS ***********
Section F MIX-IN ADDITIVES ***********
Section G OTHER PRODUCTS ***********
Section H SURFACE PREPARATION PRODUCTS ***********
Section I
MISC (rollers, brushes, pumps) ***********
Subject: UV and epoxy colorings...
From: J. A.
To: <pauloman555@yahoo.com>
Excellent web site!!! I have started testing your "Basic No Blush Epoxy". Wow! Good stuff and affordable
too. I intentionally incorrectly mixed your product to test its sensitivity to mix ratio variations. Very, very
forgiving. The pot life is very consistent even with some variation in ratio and set up is consistent as well.
It also does not seem to flash as easily as other epoxies I have worked with. I got by working in the 16 oz. mixing
cups without having to pour to a wider flat bottomed container. I usually wait till an epoxy starts to flash or
just slightly heats up in the cup before I pour it into an ice cream bucket. That is of course not a summer time
practice but my shop can get down to 60 F. in the winter. But your product did not seem to heat a lot. I was even
a little nervous about it setting up but it cured like a champ! I am very happy with your Basic No Blush and I'll
be back for more.
Sincerely yours -- J.A.
I've been using the basic on all my own stuff, and using up all the west on most customers boats. When the west is finally gone I'll only be using your epoxies. Good stuff. I'm rebuilding an old Rybovich so a big order in the future...
Patrick
Ask the EPOXY GURU
Ask Professor E.Poxy
|
Let's stay connected. It's a win-win situation. Receive our online NEWSLETTER by emailing us your name and email address. |
NOTICE: Legal notices, Terms of Service, warranty information, disclaimers, health warnings, etc. are required reading before using web site, ordering and/or using Products. Any such use and/or ordering, online or by telephone, shall constitute acceptance and knowledge of all such terms.
CLICK HERE to access these terms. Please note: Whenever you purchase from this web site, and with each new purchase, you are granting us full and complete permission to add you to our email newsletter list at our option.
RETURNS: call or email for authorization to return. Returns are subject to a 25% restock fee. Customer pays return shipping and must comply with federal DOT shipping requirement/labeling for hazmat epoxies under penalty of fines and legal action.