How to Use Marine Tex

Marine Tex epoxy repairs, bonds and fills fiberglass, aluminum, plastics such as PVC, ABS and polyethylene, inflatables, glass, masonry, ceramics, wood, dissimilar materials and more. Marine Tex epoxy products have been around for over 40 years. Many boat technicians consider Marine Tex the industry standard for repairing everything from surf boards to a damaged hull. Marine Tex is used for patching a fuel tank to sealing leaky rivets, enhancing the beauty of a teak deck or many other boat and home repairs. Most boat owners are also able to work with Marine Tex.

Things You'll Need

• Wire brush
• Lacquer thinner
• Shop rags
• 80-grit sandpaper
• Mixing board
• Popsicle or craft sticks, 3

Instructions

Prepare the Surface

1. Remove all rust, scale, paint and loose materials from the surface with a wire brush.

2. Clean all surfaces with lacquer thinner on a shop rag to remove any dirt, grease, oil or wax.

3. Sand the surface with 80- to 100-grit sandpaper to rough up the surface for a better mechanical seal.

4. Wipe with lacquer thinner once more to ensure that sanding dust has not contaminated the repair area.

Mixing the Marine Tex

1. Place a scoop of hardener on a clean mixing board with a small stick. Take a small amount out of the container if not using the entire kit at one time. Carefully judge the size or volume of the scoop of hardener component. The amount of resin is determined from this amount.

2. Remove resin from jar with a second stick. Try to match the original volume of the hardener. This will produce a one-to-one ratio.

3. Continue placing scoops of resin the same size as the hardener scoop for increased portions. For an example, for a five-to- one ratio, place five same size scoops of resin around the original scoop of hardener.

4. Mix the epoxy and hardener together with a third stick, ensuring that the surface requiring the epoxy is completely dry.

Applying Marine Tex

1. Apply Marine Tex to one of the surfaces, using a brush or roller.

2. Mate the two surfaces together. Clamp if necessary. If filling a hole with Marine Tex, work the Marine Tex into the hole and smooth it out on the top.

3. Allow the Marine Tex to cure for at least 24 hours, preferably 48 before attempting to drill into Marine Tex or paint over it

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use soap to clean the fiberglass. Soaps and regular detergents leave behind a residue that can cause a problem with adhesion.

• Wear protective clothing when working with solvents or epoxies.

• Do not use solvents in a closed area. Wear a respirator if working in an enclosed space is unavoidable.

References

• Marine Tex: Frequently Asked Questions