Why Choose WEST SYSTEM® Epoxy?

By GBI Technical Department

As trade show season comes to a close, our Technical Service Staff reflects on how each of us would answer a common question from attendees, “Why should I use WEST SYSTEM Epoxy?”  We often forget to mention several reasons in person, so here is a (long) list to help demonstrate why WEST SYSTEM Epoxy is your best choice!

Legacy

When Meade and Jan Gougeon developed the product line over 55 years ago, the products were quickly adopted by the best boat builders in the world. The list of world-class boats built with WEST SYSTEM is long and illustrious, including high-powered sportfishing boats and extraordinary luxury yachts. Builders of acrobatic stunt planes and wind turbine blades have used WEST SYSTEM Epoxy with excellent results.

Consistency

We always appreciate when someone comments on how our product handles and cures the same way every time they use it. These product characteristics are not by accident. We are an ISO9001:2015 certified company, which means we have a quality control system that meets the standards of commercial aerospace companies. Just one part of this quality control is that every batch we manufacture is individually tested to tolerances that are imperceptible to our customers. When using WEST SYSTEM Epoxy, you will always have predictable and repeatable results.

Educational Materials

We have thousands of pages of instructions available online, in print, and through Epoxyworks Magazine, with new information being added regularly to keep things fresh, exciting, and up-to-date. Weight and volume mixing ratios are on our containers for those who don’t want to use our pumps. Our kit products have detailed instruction inserts in every package. In addition, our videos on YouTube are available for even more explanation.

And of course, we quite literally wrote the book on boatbuilding: The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction. For those sailing abroad, many of our publications have been translated into multiple languages.

Technical Service

If you run into a roadblock while in the middle of a project, or you’d like some help with planning one before starting, you can talk to an experienced Technical Service expert. We’re available weekdays 9:00 am -5:00 pm EST/EDT. We staff our phones to have very short average hold times, and we’re happy to spend as little or as much time as the customer requires to make their project successful. Additionally, we handle emails through the webform on our website and respond to inquiries through our WEST SYSTEM social media channels.

Our Technical Service Staff includes expertise in building and repairing boats and airplanes, fabricating advanced composite structures, and engineering. All of this expertise is included in the price of WEST SYSTEM Epoxy.

Datasheets

We report all of the physical properties of each resin hardener combination on Technical Datasheets (TDS). This is often more information than is needed, but we make it available for advanced users or professionals who need to have documentation for the product they have specified.

Safety

Our website and published literature have many pages of information on how to use our epoxies safely. It’s an important topic to be educated on before using any epoxy. All of our Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are available online with just one click from the home page. We do not require you to register to obtain them; they include substantial information so you can be well informed.

Versatile Product Line

WEST SYSTEM Epoxy’s 105 System of products is amazingly versatile. Buying separate laminating resin, adhesive, barrier coat resin, and fairing compounds is unnecessary. All projects can be completed with 105 Epoxy Resin® by simply selecting a hardener, and if needed, a filler. You can use our additives to modify the 105 Epoxy Resin combination for specific applications. The 105 System also includes 207 Special Clear Hardener®, which provides a blush-free cure and structural properties.

Wide Temperature Range

Since you’re able to swap out different hardener speeds with our 105 System, you’re able to work in temperatures between 40°F and 110°F. Just select the appropriate hardener based on the temperature, and you can use the same resin, fillers, and additives.

Minimal Odor

Many of our customers switched from polyester and vinylester products to WEST SYSTEM, just so they didn’t have to deal with the strong smell. A high percentage of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) is to blame for the unwanted odors. WEST SYSTEM Epoxy emits nearly 0 VOC and has a very low odor. In most applications, you do not need a respirator.

Availability

WEST SYSTEM is readily available at hundreds of brick-and-mortar stores and websites. This provides options to ensure you are getting the best price and service. Plus, when you need more, you know you can source it quickly.

Packaging

Using packaging that reflects our commitment to high-quality, long-lasting products is important to the WEST SYSTEM name. Our steel cans will not shrink, leak, or become sticky. The printing on the cans won’t fade or smear, so the ratios are always legible. Our large-quantity containers are made from industrial-grade plastics.

The stiff, wrapped cardboard tubes used for fillers will not tear or weaken with age, and the tight-fitting plug tops keep the contents dry and prevent contamination. Choosing WEST SYSTEM means you get great products in great condition, and they will stay in great condition.

Strength and Reliability

When asked “Why is WEST SYSTEM Epoxy better than its competitors?”, we believe the customer often expects us to begin explaining that it is stronger. Most competitors do not provide as much information on the cured properties of their products, so making a comparison can be difficult.

We have done extensive moisture uptake, fatigue, and creep stress testing. We have not seen our results replicated by our competitors. WEST SYSTEM is specifically formulated to achieve excellent adhesion and high strength with a room temperature cure.

Understanding that other epoxy products may require specific curing processes or manufacturing methods is important. WEST SYSTEM can be used in real-world conditions, is easy to use, and achieves high strength ensuring a successful project. This provides us with a pedigree that is unmatched in our industry.

Community Support

From the early days of our company, our founders instilled a culture of giving back. We give 3% of our profits to the Gougeon Employees Foundation, which is managed by a team of our employees. This team carefully selects local charitable and educational organizations within our community to support.

Additionally, we fund scholarships at multiple universities for individuals pursuing careers in composites or science. We offer significant support to a selection of schools with well-established boat building or composites programs, and operate an educational support initiative that offers discounted products to hundreds of students. Furthermore, we contribute to sponsoring regattas and other events on a national scale.

The purchase of our products helps support the much larger marine and composites industries.

Why WEST SYSTEM?

Our dedication to quality, versatility, technical support, outstanding legacy, and community support are many of the things that make WEST SYSTEM great. The culmination of all these aspects makes it easy to succeed with WEST SYSTEM. When you consider the cost of the materials, time and effort that goes into your project, choosing WEST SYSTEM Epoxy is an easy decision for success.

Learn more about WEST SYSTEM at westsystem.com.