fuel tank repairs

[phatdaddy]

i re-did deck under my cuddy & used west epoxy. it adhered to to old poly very well. to me it is easier to work with because of very predictable working times. every time i used polyester it would "kick" either too fast or way to slow. the main drawback to eposy is if it is exposed to sunlight, you have to paint it. polyester can be gelcoated when completed. also if you use the MAS system, there is no blush to wash off. i also like to pumps to keep the ratio correct. i keep the pumps in the bottles all the time in my shed. if i am doing a little project i can just pump out what i need, mix it in a tuna fish can & slap it on.

[woodbutcher]

Ok as indecision always requires I did some more research both on my own and on another web site. All information out there comes to the same conclusion.(EPOXY) is the way to go. Polyester can and will work however there seem to be some adhesion problems with old polyester and new? I don't understand it thats just the research on the internet." polyester secondary bond" is the search I was refered to from another site.
The other issue that I discovered is that polyester cures and a chemical called styrene avaporates and leaves a (porous surface)? that flies in the face of sealing the wood by encapsulation. I am not somuch worried about the porous surface as the boat did last a few years already with polyester resins so the problem cant be that bad. the secondary bond issues though concern me as I am a novice amature with this boat repair. So on the chance that I do the snafu...... (hey iv'e done it before) I think I will spend the money for safty and piece of mind an order the epoxy.