Epoxy resin, also known as polyepoxide, is a type of adhesive used in a variety of applications and industries. Epoxy resin refers to a type of reactive prepolymer and polymer containing epoxide groups.
Epoxy resin possesses higher mechanical properties and more thermal and chemical resistance than other types of resin. It has a particularly high level of flexural strength and is suitable for both domestic and commercial purposes. Formed of two parts, it is commonly mixed in ratios of between 2:1 and 4:1 resin to hardener.
The features of epoxy resins include toughness, strong adhesion, and chemical resistance. Epoxy resin is used in a range of industries including construction and manufacturing.
At CRC, we have a range of epoxy resins that are suitable for a wide variety of applications. Our range includes:
Each has its own unique set of properties that make It ideal for a wide range of repairs. A short guide to each of our products can be found below, and you can learn more about each of our epoxy resins by clicking the links above.
ADOS Rapid Resin
ADOS Rapid Resin is a high-performance two-part epoxy resin glue. Its high-speed cure makes it ideal for fast permanent repairs to almost anything. The one-to-one mix eliminates wastage and guarantees performance.
It's ideal for jobs where the finished appearance is important. It can also be varnished and painted and will not swell after prolonged immersion in water.
Features & Benefits
- Sets in 5 minutes
- Designed to repair cracks and dents
- An excellent epoxy filler for jobs where speed of cure is essential
- Can be used in conjunction with glass matting
Uses
It has exceptional performance when repairing:
- Fibreglass
- Ceramics
- Metal
- Tiles
- China
- Glass
- Auto trim
- Model building
- Plastic taps
- Timber/woodwork projects
- Drill taps
ADOS All Purpose Resin
ADOS All Purpose Resin is a sheathing and laminating resin designed for extreme durability in both marine and general applications. It is used by professionals wanting guaranteed results.
Features & Benefits- Extremely durable
- Good penetration
- Superior wet out
- High strength
- Moisture resistant
- Excellent bonding and barrier coating properties
- Creates a tough, stable base for paints and varnishes
- No volatile solvents, no strong solvent odour
- Does not shrink after curing
- Bonds to many surfaces - wood fibre, fibreglass, reinforcing fabrics, foam, a variety of metals
- Bridges gaps and fills voids
- Can be sanded and shaped when cured
- Boat building
- Waterproofing
- Automotive repairs
- Building projects
- Decking
- With fibreglass cloth as the moisture barrier on wooden boat hulls
- Use "neat" as an osmosis barrier coating on most boat hulls
ADOS Structural Adhesive - Epoxy Glue
ADOS Structural Adhesive is a superior one-to-one mix epoxy adhesive that will out-perform most other adhesives. Its gap-filling qualities will bridge and strengthen irregular joins for a wide range of applications, trade and DIY projects. It will not slump, has high impact resistance and may be milled, tapped, screwed, sawn and painted over when cured.
Features & Benefits- 100% Waterproof - Use in wet areas and to seal shower floors, join shower bases to floors and walls etc
- Super strong - Bonds similar and dissimilar products
- Convenient & versatile - Suitable for overpainting, drilling, tapping, sanding, planing or sawing
- Appearance - Similar shade to timbers, it may be varnished over without spoiling the natural timber effect
- Resilient - 100% water-resistant, excellent chemical, abrasion and high impact resistance
- Safe - Non-flammable
- Cost-effective, easy to use - 1:1 ratio, ensures correct mixing each time
Uses
- Flooring – Attach floor tiles, fill gaps in recesses, fill cavities in broken dowel joints, seal shower floors, join shower bases to floors and walls, timber (cedar core, diagonal planking)
- Construction – Fill gaps in recesses, fill cavities in broken dowel joints, repair exterior joinery, laminate beams, fix starter bolts in place instead of concrete, repair broken concrete blocks, attach laminates and join to benchtops, cold weld wrought iron, instead of nailing, glue fibre cement board to wood
ADOS 121 Repair Anything
The revolutionary new way to make repairs. ADOS 121 is an epoxy polymer with glass fibres already integrated into the hardener – making use ridiculously easy. All the advantages of traditional fibre glassing with none of the disadvantages.
Easy 1:1 mixing, strong and flexible, bridges gaps, waterproof and can even be applied in the wet to almost any surface including polystyrene. ADOS 121 is the revolutionary new way to make repairs to anything.
Features and Benefits
- Quick and Easy to use
- 1:1 Mix Ratio
- Multi-purpose Structural Repair
- Epoxy with Integrated Glass Fibres
- Strong High Tensile Epoxy
- Bridges Gaps, Self-Supporting
- Waterproof with no Osmosis
- Flexible, Cures Underwater
- Suitable for Most Surfaces
- Suitable to drill, mill, tap, screw, sand, plane and saw
- No Cloth Required
- No Rolling Required
- No Clean Up Solvent Required
- No Brushing Required
- No Masking Required
Uses
ADOS 121 fills cracks and holes, bridges gaps, joins, constructs shapes, bonds an replaces traditional fibreglassing methods on:
- Fibreglass
- Metal
- Wood
- Most Plastics
- Glass
- Iron
- Aluminium
- Tile
- Stone
- Roofing
- Join dissimilar objects (e.g. plastic pipe to metal pipe)
- Almost any substrate
- What surfaces can you use epoxy resin on?
As you can see from the product features and uses above, epoxy resin can be used on a huge range of surfaces depending on the resin that you require and the finish you need.
Epoxy resin can be used on virtually any surface, however, different levels or preparation will be needed depending on the surface you are working on.
It is important to ensure that the surface you are applying the epoxy is clean and free of any debris. Priming the surface can sometimes be necessary to ensure a smooth and consistent finish.
There are a couple of surfaces that epoxy cannot be used on. These are copper and silicone.
Is epoxy resin waterproof?
All our CRC epoxy resin products are 100% waterproof making them the ideal for outdoor repairs, as well as waterproofing applications around the home and construction.
Epoxy resin provides a waterproof coating that provides an anti-corrosive layer of protection on the surface it has been applied to.
Waterproof resins provide versatile and diverse solutions - from plumbing applications to bond and fasten pipes, fittings, and sinks - to marine applications for boating repairs, restorations and maintenance. Paints reinforced with epoxy resin can be used to coat and seal a variety of surfaces as well.
Epoxy resin FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about epoxy resin:
Can you mix paint with epoxy resin?
The simple answer to this is yes you can, however, not all paints can be mixed with epoxy resin. If you are looking to colour a clear epoxy resin, you should use acrylic paint. This type of paint is one that mixes best with epoxy and should be used in a ratio on 1:10 – 1 part acrylic paint to 10 parts epoxy resin. This will ensure that the resin dries hard and adheres to the required surface whilst effectively colouring the resin.
The colouring of epoxy resin is more common in for art and home decoration projects, however, there may be occasions when you want your resin to match the finish of the surface you are adhering to.
How do you colour epoxy resin?
As above, the best way to colour epoxy resin is to mix acrylic paint in a 1:10 ratio.
How to tint epoxy resin?
If you are looking to tint epoxy resin, use acrylic paint to get the desired finish. You can also use specialist liquid resin dyes to tint epoxy resin. Alcohol inks are also a common way of tinting epoxy resin.
Can you use car polish on epoxy resin?
Car polish can be used to polish epoxy resin, and is an effective way of achieving a high-gloss finish. It will also help to protect the surface of your resin as well as making it shine.
Whilst car polish can be effective, you should always make sure that you are using the right type of polish for the finish you desire. As we have seen above, epoxy resin has a wide range of applications and not all applications will lend themselves to the use of car polish as a way of polishing the surface.
There are special epoxy resin polishes on the market which may be more effective and safer to use, depending on the your specific project.
However you choose to polish your epoxy resin surface, we would always recommend trying a small amount of your chosen polish on a discreet part of the resin first to make sure it doesn’t damage the surface or leave you with an undesirable finish.
Can you use epoxy resin on wood?
Yes, epoxy resin can be used on wood surface. Like other surface, using epoxy on wood provides exceptional strength and long-lasting adhesion. It creates a durable, waterproof seal that is easy to clean, can be sanded, and drilled.
All these qualities make epoxy resin ideal for woodworking projects including wooden furniture.
How much epoxy resin do I need for a surfboard?
One of the common uses of epoxy resin in NZ is for coating surfboards and SUPs. Epoxy resin is the ideal product for surfboards, creating a glossy, waterproof finish. The fibreglass in a product like CRC 121 Repair Anything also adds strength to the board, helping to extend the life of a surfboard or SUP.
Where can you buy epoxy resin in NZ?
CRC epoxy resin is widely available throughout New Zealand and can be purchased from any of our authorised stockists including Mitre 10, Repco, Bunnings Warehouse, Placemakers, ITM and more.
Make sure you check out our “Find a Store” page and get in touch with your local CRC stockist. If they don’t have any in stock, they will be able to order you in your preferred epoxy resin solution from our range listed above.