Bad Resin from West Marine

bigeasy1 · #1 07-07-2010, 09:49 AM

I work for a friend in the marine fiberglass supply business,and hear all kinds of complaints about resin purchased from big box stores.
Polyester resin has a fairly short shelf life,especially when it's exposed to warm temps or sunlight.
Most of the big box type stores whether they be Home Depot,Lowes,or west marine don't sell as much as you'd think when it comes to resin.Also,the stock does not always get rotated as it should.
There is a big difference in quality between "cheap so called boatyard resin and higher priced resins.Beware of the el cheapo stuff.It's cheap for a reason,(it's junk).

In the case of Home Depot,Lowes,and other home center joints,the quality of the resin is also questionable.
You are far better off buying resin from a supplier who specializes in it,as most of us on the site do.

If you have to buy it in a pinch,I guess it would be best to get it from one of the boating stores.Even then,it's quality and freshness can be suspect.
Before you use it,try catalyzing a couple ounces of it,to be sure it kicks.

We get resin in bulk which is dated,and we repackage it in containers that move out of inventory very fast.We never have resin sitting on the shelf for longer than a few days or a week or so.
I've used some polyester resin when I actually had to strain it from the gallon because of lumps in it from sitting around,but it did cure ok.

In between uses,store it in a dark cool place out of the heat and sun,it will last much longer.

SBD · #2 07-09-2010, 10:22 AM

I have a love/hate with Worst Marine. They are expensive, and staffed with dummies, but they are there with stuff I need in stock...doh!

I have also had resin go sour and do the same thing. Undoing the mess is the worst part. I agree with everyone's comments about getting composite supplies from a composites vendor.

avian22 · #3 07-10-2010, 12:13 PM

Quote - "They are expensive, and staffed with dummies"

I guess we expect "experts" to work for minimum wage!

I do agree that there are some people that try to "B.S." you just to make a sale. That's not cool! Those people really give the rest of us a bad name. I personally try to be as honest as possible about my level of expertise, and seek out guidance when ever there are any doubts. As well as refer many cust.'s elsewhere if it is best for the cust.

Hope this opens your mind to a different perspective about stores like West Marine.

jorgeinmiami · #4 07-10-2010, 12:43 PM

If you purchased it with a credit card file a dispute with the card company.
They have 30 days to respond to you dispute, chances are they won't.

Fr. Frank · #5 07-12-2010, 07:43 PM

Quote:

If you purchased it with a credit card file a dispute with the card company.
They have 30 days to respond to you dispute, chances are they won't.

Nah. I paid cash. I went to a local boat manufacturer, and asked for help/info, and they gave a half-gallon of resin. They just asked that I pray for the boating industry.