I'm not sure I understand this comparison (other than pricing), as these products are typically for different uses. I'm not an expert on restoration, but I am building a new inboard runabout. My understanding is that Smith's CPES is to penetrate and restore rotted wood, for the most part. Snake Mountain uses this as the first step in establishing and building upon the original wood during restoration. The West System here is usually for structural attachment/build-up when used with filler, or encapsulation without (it's just low-viscosity epoxy then), for both new and restoration. It seems a waste to sand and use as a surface filler - will become very hard once cured, and I wouldn't want to do more than surface sand it for varnish after. (I use the System Three Silvertip non-amine blush epoxy which is for the most part comparable). The Total Fair and the Smith's Fill-It might be the closest to each other for similar purpose. The Total Fair is more of a putty that can be used on the entire bottom to sand off and show low or high spots - best used on painted instead of bright bottoms. (See TH-cam's Glass Goat - The Wooden Boat Experience S2 E13). The Smith's Fill-It looks to be a higher-end, more targeted, possibly more structural compound (which seems, given the price, that it shouldn't be used for large-area fairing). Just my take on these products. Incidentally, the 5200 is referred to by many as "the devil's toothpaste" for many of its qualities. Great and near-permanent for restoration. Keep up the great videos!
Hi Andrew. I never heard that name for 5200. I like it a lot! I agree, the only direct comparison of all the products was price. I've used at least 6 gallons of Smith's CPES thus far on the Chris Craft and another 2 gallons on the Martinac. I learned of that product from Snake Mountain Boat Works, as well as many other useful things. My plan is to fair the bottom beneath the waterline and then apply a layer of fiberglass. I'm certainly going to use the TotalFair on part of it. The jury is still out on the West System for fairing. But both the TotalFair and the West System will sand easy enough. I know I'm going against conventional wisdom with regards to fairing and fiberglassing the bottom. And I know that typically, fairing follows fiberglassing, not the other way around. But I cannot lay the fiberglass on such an uneven surface, so fairing is required. If you want to see more pictures, look here... woodenboatpeople.org/forum/topics/guy-s-wooden-drift-boat-project If you have a TH-cam channel about your boat, you are welcome to post a link here. I'd be interested in seeing it. Thanks!
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I'm not sure I understand this comparison (other than pricing), as these products are typically for different uses. I'm not an expert on restoration, but I am building a new inboard runabout.
My understanding is that Smith's CPES is to penetrate and restore rotted wood, for the most part. Snake Mountain uses this as the first step in establishing and building upon the original wood during restoration. The West System here is usually for structural attachment/build-up when used with filler, or encapsulation without (it's just low-viscosity epoxy then), for both new and restoration. It seems a waste to sand and use as a surface filler - will become very hard once cured, and I wouldn't want to do more than surface sand it for varnish after. (I use the System Three Silvertip non-amine blush epoxy which is for the most part comparable).
The Total Fair and the Smith's Fill-It might be the closest to each other for similar purpose. The Total Fair is more of a putty that can be used on the entire bottom to sand off and show low or high spots - best used on painted instead of bright bottoms. (See TH-cam's Glass Goat - The Wooden Boat Experience S2 E13). The Smith's Fill-It looks to be a higher-end, more targeted, possibly more structural compound (which seems, given the price, that it shouldn't be used for large-area fairing). Just my take on these products.
Incidentally, the 5200 is referred to by many as "the devil's toothpaste" for many of its qualities. Great and near-permanent for restoration.
Keep up the great videos!
Hi Andrew. I never heard that name for 5200. I like it a lot! I agree, the only direct comparison of all the products was price. I've used at least 6 gallons of Smith's CPES thus far on the Chris Craft and another 2 gallons on the Martinac. I learned of that product from Snake Mountain Boat Works, as well as many other useful things. My plan is to fair the bottom beneath the waterline and then apply a layer of fiberglass. I'm certainly going to use the TotalFair on part of it. The jury is still out on the West System for fairing. But both the TotalFair and the West System will sand easy enough.
I know I'm going against conventional wisdom with regards to fairing and fiberglassing the bottom. And I know that typically, fairing follows fiberglassing, not the other way around. But I cannot lay the fiberglass on such an uneven surface, so fairing is required.
If you want to see more pictures, look here...
woodenboatpeople.org/forum/topics/guy-s-wooden-drift-boat-project
If you have a TH-cam channel about your boat, you are welcome to post a link here. I'd be interested in seeing it. Thanks!