Bad Resin from West Marine

[Fr. Frank]

Two weeks ago, I mixed most of a new quart of Polyester Boaters Resin from West Marine to begin covering my diesel genset with a box. Using a new tube of MEK, I mixed it up and began applying it to the plywood box I had built. After several hours in 95* heat, the resin was still very sticky and had a gel-like consistency, both on the box and in the bucket in which I mixed it.

So when I went to glass over the lid, I used a different tube of MEK I had laying around, along with about a pint of resin from another quart I bought at the same time, with the same batch number, and mixed it in a cup. I got the same result. It never quite kicked.

I went to Home depot, and bought a gallon of Bondo brand #401 Polyester resin, and using the 1st tube of MEK, I mixed a bit in a cup to see if it would kick. Worked like a charm. SO I mixed a cup with the remains of the 1st quart of West Marine Polyester resin, and used the MEK that came with the Bondo resin. Again, it didn't kick. I mixed one last cup from the 2nd quart of West marine resin with the MEK from the Bondo purchase, and it, too, did not kick off.

I took the four sample cups back to West Marine to get my money refunded, and they refused, despite their guarantee of satisfaction with West System products.

Bottom line: don't buy from West Marine.

FTR: the West marine products are still sticky after two weeks.