CPES in the UK

[Martyns]

This is my first post on the forum, although I have been dipping in and reading forum topics for some time. It appears that for any restoration work on an old boat, CPES is essential. However, I have never seen it advertised for sale in the UK, although "coating epoxy" (presumably more liquid than regular epoxy) is available.

I have recently bought an interesting Fairey Falcon which has bilge keels rather than a centreboard and an enclosed cabin. I need to work on this over the winter and want to stabilise small areas of rot and delamination. Looking at many of the forum posts it seems that CPES is the only sensible way to do this. I had thought of using Cuprinol to kill any mould and fungus spores and then use non-CPES epoxy in the spring to do the necessary repairs.

My question is, where do I get CPES in the UK, and what is the curing time in cold, dampish conditions? (the boat is outside, under a cover at the moment). Also, is Cuprinol a complete waste of time or worthwhile over the winter months until the weather gets warmer? I want to make the right decision on this boat because I realise that I might only get one shot at this.

Many thanks
Martyn

[Concordia..41]

As to its availability in the UK, contact the company directly Smith & Company (http://www.smithandcompany.org/) . They make a specific "cold weather" version, and you'll find them helpful and eager to answer your questions.

Good luck with your project.

- M

[Martyns]

Thanks for the information. I got in touch but the nearest distributor to the UK is in Sweden, which is rather surprising. I'm not sure about shipping costs - I have a feeling that UK Customs are getting very sniffy about stuff ordered from outside the country. Could end up getting very expensive, or even confiscated en route!

Martyn

[paul oman]

Use a non blushing epoxy and thin with solvent. CPES is approx 69% solvent in an epoxy base.

paul oman
progressive epoxy polymers

[John Meachen]

Have you looked at Eposeal from SP systems?It is a low viscosity epoxy sealer and leaves a good surface for further epoxy treatment.With a hot moulded Fairey hull,I am surprised you found any rot as they are normally exceptionally durable.

[BRobinson]

According to Steve Smith, CPES is NOT simply "thinned hard epoxy". Infact it's far from it. It is a product developed from the paper industry using wood lingin.

[Martyns]

Regarding the Fairey hull, it does appear to be very tough, but there is deterioration behind the rubbing strip where the deck meets the hull, together with some delamination - maybe for about an inch or so and fairly local. Also the usual small areas of rot in the plywood superstructure. I am quite interested in finding out something about the boat, although information seems scarce. I was surprised to find that she had bilge keels as I thought all Falcons were made with centreboards. I will carefully examine the hog to see if there was once a plate, but it does look as if she was built B/K. Not sure yet whether I ought to put in a plate or leave her as she is.

Martyn