Historic HomeWorks Forum

[Hannah]

John, I read your article about epoxy fillers. I've been using Minwax brand wood hardener and filler as I haven't been able to find Abatron in my area. I used the filler for the first time yesterday, and found that it looks, tools, and above all SMELLS just like Bondo auto body filler. The proportions of filler to hardner are the same as for Bondo.

You wrote in your article that Bondo isn't good for wood because it doesn't expand and contract with the same cycles as wood. Should I be concerned? Also, this Minwax filler was $1.12 and ounce, as opposed to Bondo, which can be gotten for as little as $0.34 an ounce. Is Minwax ripping me off in two ways? There is no ingredient list, but the warning label says it contains crystalline silica and styrene.

[Andy in NH]

I have not been at all impressed with the Minwax product. You can order the Abatron WoodEpox direct from thier website. If you can swing it, go for the full kit.

[mattswabb]

Also at amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Abatron-Wood-Restoration-Kit-FL/dp/B001OXWI3Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308799090&sr=8-1

[Hannah]

Thanks! I will get the kit and use the Abatron for all future applications. I didn't know that those kinds of chemicals could be shipped UPS, USPS, etc. Shows what I know!

[Hannah]

Wow! I ordered the Abatron kit off of Amazon and I am impressed! The stuff has a tofu-like texture which tools very well and stays in place even on vertical surfaces, as opposed to the Minwax filler which is very runny and tends to pool. The kit looked very small when I got it, but I swear that stuff expands when you mix it. I'll have plenty for a while! Thanks for all the tips!

[johnleeke]

There is a reason I use Abatron's LiquidWood and WoodEpox products in all my wood-epoxy repair training and recommend it for the first time user. When these products do not do what you need, then consider the other fine epoxy products developed for wood-epoxy repairs.