You're comparing two different products - West Systems is a 100% solids epoxy resin while Sweetwater is an epoxy paint with solvents mixed in (so less solids per volume) so it doesn't make sense to compare cost on a per volume basis. That being said, WS is one of the most expensive marine epoxies and there are several cheaper options for resins available - US Composites and Max ACR are two that come to mind.
Epoxy paint for plywood tank?
- Thread starter Domesticsage
- Start date
Sweetwater is a very cost friendly choice depending on the hazmat shipping premium. Pond Armor has no fumes and no hazmat premium but may be difficult to apply.
I can't remember how compatible with silicone they were. Someone did a comparison a while ago but I can't find the thread.
It's a toss up with + and - for both products depending on ease of use vs. fumes. If you're building indoors I would stay away from SW. I imagine it's no different than doing fiberglass epoxy indoors. Did that once and stunk up the whole house for a week.
I can't remember how compatible with silicone they were. Someone did a comparison a while ago but I can't find the thread.
It's a toss up with + and - for both products depending on ease of use vs. fumes. If you're building indoors I would stay away from SW. I imagine it's no different than doing fiberglass epoxy indoors. Did that once and stunk up the whole house for a week.
I have posted photo of my plywood tank on here I used ames blue max it worked great. I tried two different marine expoy paints one from lessile pools and the other from Sherman William they both leaked after just a couple of days and developed cracks that I could not see at frist. But the water got couldy and I could smell something foul. I next tried ugy it last about a week before thing started getting clould and I could feel mostiure at the seams of the tank. I then tried ames blue max it make the build 8 times strong it nontoxic, safe for water tank and transtoration. it 800% fexiable too so it will not crack like epxoy will it something shifts with the tank.
I restored a old leaking fiberglass plywood tank using ames blue max it you go to a true value store and order it shipping is free. its $175.00 for five gallons. epoxy paint is very birttle and gets worse with age. Any shift in the tank will cause it to crack and leak. check out their web sit and you can view my tank on here I posted photos today.
I really think we need a sticky on tank coatings. There are a lot of questions and information is scattered throughout.
well if the epoxy paint doesn't work for you, it didn't for me take a look at ames blue max. it's 800% fexiable non toxic drinking water safe and no smell when applying it.
I restored a fiberglass tank that had set empty for a few years. I tied a two part epoxy paint from lesele pools it last a day or two before I could see small crack in the paint, I next got the stronest marine two part epoxy paint from sherman williams it lasted 3 days and the water started to get clouldy and I could smell something foul and feel mostiure at the corner seems. The problem is epoxy is very brittle and any shift in the tank will cause a leak. I even tried ugy dry lock it is suppose to hold back a wall of water 27 feet high. it last a week. I then found out about ames blue max it $175.00 for five gallon if you order it at a true value store you don't have to pay shipping. the blue max coating needs to be 3mill the thickness of a dime for a water tank or fish tank. I called the teck at ames it turns out he was a reef tank guy from way back and was very helpfull
I restored a fiberglass tank that had set empty for a few years. I tied a two part epoxy paint from lesele pools it last a day or two before I could see small crack in the paint, I next got the stronest marine two part epoxy paint from sherman williams it lasted 3 days and the water started to get clouldy and I could smell something foul and feel mostiure at the corner seems. The problem is epoxy is very brittle and any shift in the tank will cause a leak. I even tried ugy dry lock it is suppose to hold back a wall of water 27 feet high. it last a week. I then found out about ames blue max it $175.00 for five gallon if you order it at a true value store you don't have to pay shipping. the blue max coating needs to be 3mill the thickness of a dime for a water tank or fish tank. I called the teck at ames it turns out he was a reef tank guy from way back and was very helpfull
Billy, I was wondering how the bluemax has held up for you. Have you tried it in a saltwater tank?
