For my two cents guys,
The only way you can get expancel to sand "way easier" is to mix it resin
rich which in turn spreads easy, sands easy, is more dent resistant, and is
much heavier than Superfill. Cure times are based mainly on the epoxy and
not the additives we add to it. Most epoxies will not cure below 65 degrees
F. A little heat applied with a hair dryer will assist in spreadability
greatly with either product. You can do thicker lay-ups with Superfill but
you need to put a layer of glass every 1/8 in. for reinforcement. Not a bad
idea with ANY filler actually. With that all said, both products work well,
although my experience has been for second or third applications, Superfill
leaves a better "edge".What I mean is it doesn't try to soak into the first
layer of filler leaving you with a hard edge around the application. I still
do all of my primary filling with expancel and top it with Superfill.
Nuff said.
Jim Thursby
----- Original Message -----
From: "Shaun Simpkins" <shauns@hevanet.com>
Subject: Re: SuperFil vs. Expancell...
> Now that several opinions are in, perhaps I can summarize what's been said
> since I started the thread.
>
> 1. Superfil has better consistency than Expancel + Epoxy, but this is user
> dependent.
> 2. Superfil mix ratio can't be changed.
> 3. Superfil must be applied and cured at fairly high temps (77F)
> 4. Superfil sands easily, but not necessarily any easier than Expancel
> 5. Superfil is harder and therefore more resistant to denting than
Expancel,
> but is somewhat
> rougher and may not offer as smooth a fill
> 6. Superfil is lighter than Expancel+Epoxy
> 7. Superfil may save some time
> 8. Superfil is not good for thick buildups beyond 1/8"
>
> So from this, there isn't a clear win for either option. The issue of
> lightness and durability seems
> most germaine, so let me follow these opinions.
>
> 1. Just how much filler are we talking about on a typical XS? 1 Gallon?
> 2. How much lighter is Superfil than Expancel+Epoxy? Poly-Fiber quotes
> Superfil at 3.7lbs/gal.
> 3. How much lighter in total? A few ounces? Several pounds?
> 4. Expancel is heat-expanded gas-filled plastic spheres. We get the
> expanded stuff. Does Expancel
> suffer further expansion under post cure/use? Does Superfil?
>
> Thanks -
> Shaun Simpkins
> A207
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jonathan Moyle" <jmoyle@epo.org>
> Subject: Re: SuperFil vs. Expancell...
>
>
> >
> >
> > JohnJMoran@aol.com wrote:
> >
> > > Superfill was used to finish up some areas, especially around the
> > > windshield, cowl, and fin joint. I found it more difficult to smoothly
> spread
> > > Superfill than Expancell, probably because of the inability to adjust
> the mix
> > > as was done with Expancell as well as the low workshop temperatures
> (around
> > > 60-65F by the time Superfill was used). The filler in the Superfill I
> > > received seemed coarser than the fill particles from Europa, sometimes
> > > resulting in fine lines in the surface as the filler was spread.
> > >
> > > Overall, I preferred the Expancell filler with West epoxy for its ease
> of use
> > > and sandability. However, workshop temperatures may have affected the
> > > apparent characteristics.
> > >
> > > John N44EU
> >
> > I agree with John that the temperature required for Superfill is a
> downside. On
> > the container both the working and cure time are stated at 77F.
> >
> > Jonathan & Carla (kit 330)
> >
> >
>
>
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