Bote-cote epoxy

Talk about musical instrument construction, setup and repair.

Moderators: kiwigeo, Jeremy D

Post Reply
User avatar
peter.coombe
Blackwood
Posts: 723
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2010 2:52 pm
Location: Bega, NSW
Contact:

Bote-cote epoxy

Post by peter.coombe » Thu Sep 05, 2019 1:40 pm

I have been using the bote-cote epoxy system on a big boat restoration project I am doing and am quite impressed with it. Easier and much more pleasant stuff to use than West System. It has hardly any odour and the hardeners are completely clear of any amber tint. Should make a very good pore filler. I stopped using West System for pore filling because it is such horrible stinky stuff. Who is using Bote-Cote for pore filling or CF tow? What hardener are you using? Do you use TPRDA in the first coat?
Peter Coombe - mandolin, mandola and guitar maker
http://www.petercoombe.com

User avatar
nkforster
Blackwood
Posts: 249
Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2012 1:02 am
Location: Gold Coast
Contact:

Re: Bote-cote epoxy

Post by nkforster » Thu Sep 05, 2019 8:37 pm

I've been using Bote Cote since I arrived here. I get the crystal + non yellowing version. Whilst the smell isn't terrible, I would advise a mask and gloves. As one feller told me - when working with epoxy, there are two types of people. The ones who are allergic, and the ones who aren't...yet.

User avatar
Allen
Blackwood
Posts: 5252
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:39 pm
Location: Cairns, Australia
Contact:

Re: Bote-cote epoxy

Post by Allen » Fri Sep 06, 2019 6:20 am

I've been using it for years. And would never go back to WEST Systems. I use the Crystal and Non Yellowing hardener and always use TPRDA.
Allen R. McFarlen
https://www.brguitars.com
Facebook
Cairns, Australia

User avatar
rocket
Blackwood
Posts: 1210
Joined: Thu Apr 30, 2009 8:43 pm
Location: melbourne,, outer east
Contact:

Re: Bote-cote epoxy

Post by rocket » Fri Sep 06, 2019 9:44 am

What is Bote Cote like to sand in comparison to West’s and Z poxy?

Rod.
Like I said before the crash, " Hit the bloody thing, it won't hit ya back

www.octiganguitars.com

User avatar
Allen
Blackwood
Posts: 5252
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:39 pm
Location: Cairns, Australia
Contact:

Re: Bote-cote epoxy

Post by Allen » Fri Sep 06, 2019 11:07 am

rocket wrote:
Fri Sep 06, 2019 9:44 am
What is Bote Cote like to sand in comparison to West’s and Z poxy?

Rod.
Never used Z Poxy but compared to WEST Systems it sands like a dream. You'll kick yourself into next week for not switching sooner.
Allen R. McFarlen
https://www.brguitars.com
Facebook
Cairns, Australia

User avatar
peter.coombe
Blackwood
Posts: 723
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2010 2:52 pm
Location: Bega, NSW
Contact:

Re: Bote-cote epoxy

Post by peter.coombe » Sat Sep 07, 2019 11:01 am

So what is the crystal resin? I have been using normal resin for the boat. What is the difference? I can't find anything on their web site nor in the small book they produce, although mine is now quite old and may be out of date.
Peter Coombe - mandolin, mandola and guitar maker
http://www.petercoombe.com

User avatar
Allen
Blackwood
Posts: 5252
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:39 pm
Location: Cairns, Australia
Contact:

Re: Bote-cote epoxy

Post by Allen » Sat Sep 07, 2019 12:56 pm

As far as I'm aware its clearer than the regular resin. I've only ever used it after talking with the chemist, explaining what I was using epoxy for and it was his recommondation.

Also if you want to make up by weight here are the exact weights from an email he sent me. I often just make up 5 grams of resin, 2.2 grams of hardener when I'm gluing up a fret board or pore filling one small uke.
Hello Allen,

The weight ratio is 44 parts of hardener to 100 parts of resin.

For the first coat, add TPRDA, 20% by weight of the mix. So if making 15 grams, use 10 grams of resin, 4.4 grams of hardener and 2.88 grams of TPRDA.

Of course these figures are too finicky to do with readily available scales. I suggest 36 gram mixes, using 20grams of resin, 10 grams of hardener, 6 grams of TPRDA.

(These are quite close enough, it does not have to be absolutely precise.)
Allen R. McFarlen
https://www.brguitars.com
Facebook
Cairns, Australia

User avatar
Mike Thomas
Blackwood
Posts: 226
Joined: Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:34 pm
Location: Adelaide

Re: Bote-cote epoxy

Post by Mike Thomas » Sat Sep 07, 2019 4:26 pm

Allen, do you use TPRDA when using Bote Cote as a glue e.g. for a fretboard, as well as for pore filling?
Mike Thomas


"There are some enterprises in which a careful disorderliness is the true method"

User avatar
Allen
Blackwood
Posts: 5252
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:39 pm
Location: Cairns, Australia
Contact:

Re: Bote-cote epoxy

Post by Allen » Sat Sep 07, 2019 4:34 pm

Only when pore filling. I found that with some timber it works better to use the TPRDA in at least 2 coats, but that could also be that I'm in the tropics and it will want to kick over quicker than in cooler climates.

Adding the TPRDA definately thins it out so it penetrates into the timber.
Allen R. McFarlen
https://www.brguitars.com
Facebook
Cairns, Australia

vandenboom
Blackwood
Posts: 414
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 2:27 pm
Location: Melbourne (Ringwood), Australia

Re: Bote-cote epoxy

Post by vandenboom » Tue Sep 10, 2019 4:10 pm

Gents - how much working time does it allow? Approx shelf life once opened ?
Thnx. Frank

User avatar
Allen
Blackwood
Posts: 5252
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:39 pm
Location: Cairns, Australia
Contact:

Re: Bote-cote epoxy

Post by Allen » Tue Sep 10, 2019 4:26 pm

It has a very long shelf life. I buy the 1 litre resin and I go through it in about a year. I know that the regular and tropical hardener will yellow with age, so I always use the non-yellowing hardener.

I typically make up 10 grams of resin plus 4.4 grams of hardener to pore fill a couple of instruments at one go. In Cairns in the summer 30+C at the very least in the shed it will be workable for about 20 minutes with it. I always let it cure overnight before sanding back.
Allen R. McFarlen
https://www.brguitars.com
Facebook
Cairns, Australia

David Stiles
Sassafras
Posts: 46
Joined: Mon Jun 24, 2019 8:49 pm
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: Bote-cote epoxy

Post by David Stiles » Sat Sep 14, 2019 12:43 pm

EcoPoxy might be worth looking at as an alternative. I worked with it on a mates fibreglassing project. Nice to use & virtually no odour. Apparently it's plant based.

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google and 91 guests