PVC and Epoxy

billmac26 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-17-2003

I have several projects that I would like to incorperate standard PVC pipe into, but I don''t know how compatable it is with epoxy or polyester resin. I could experiment, but that would only tell me if I have good adhesion today. Will they still be bonded in 5 or 10 years. Has anyone glassed PVC into their boat, how did it work out over the long run?

WHOOSH · #2 (**permalink**) 02-17-2003

Bill, I epoxied a 4" PVC pipe for a chain run from the underside of our deck, thru the anchor well and to the top of the forepeake well where the chain runs to. I did this in 1996 some time and it''s held up well during the recent 2-year cruise we made. Clean the PVC thoroughly with e.g. acetone before beginning your bonding process, and good luck.

Jack

jklewissf · #3 (**permalink**) 02-17-2003

I have found TAP plastics to be an excellent source of informtion on questions like this. They have compatibility charts for all plastics and adhesives.. They also carry the special adhesives that some kinds of plastic require.

The fuel tank on my NorSea 27 sat atop a pvc pipe that was glassed into the hull. It seemed fine after 15 years but with the fuel tank on top of it, it was hard to tell if it was loose or not.

billmac26 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-18-2003

Thanks Guys I was hopeing this would work. I have been building gadgets out of PVC for many years, it is kind of a baisic building material for me now, I know it''s characteristics well, but I''ve never tried to bond it to anything. This kind of opens up a whole new relm of possibilities.

A couple of projects I have in mind is to put a fitting in the tank of my water ballasted Mac 26 that I can hook a bilge pump to. Last year I got stuck on a sand bar, and was wishing for a way to lighten her up a bit to get loose. I''m going to experiment with teeing the outlet of the pump into my sink overboard with a valve downstream of the tee so I can run the pump with the valve closed to back lake water into the sink for preliminary dish washing and the like.

Another project I may try if I can screw up the courage is to cut the top off the tower of the ballast tank, and glue in a large dia piece of PVC pipe which would be closed with a slip or screw cap. I would sure like to have that big ol ballast tank available to use for a livewell. Would have to keep my fish on a stringer, but they die in a hurry if you drag them around behind the boat.