Historic HomeWorks Forum

johnleeke

The jury is still out on long-term performance for all these products since they have only been in use for several years. Epoxies used for wood repair have a track record stretching back more than thirty years. But, who knows how long they will last? Years? Decades? Centuries? Only the test of time will tell for sure.

johnleeke · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 12:05 pm Post subject:

Do not interpret the above to mean that these other products are "bad." As you know, in my book there are no "good" or "bad" products. All products have certain characteristics and it is our job as old-house mechanics to know what those characteristics are so we can select a product that gives the needed result. In fact, the design for the repair, the method, the procedure and techniques used to apply the product have a far greater effect on how long a repair will last, than which product is used.

I demonstrated this on a training project back in the mid-1980s by using a wad of bubble gum, dust swept up off the floor, a candy bar wrapper, a little nail polish and laundry detergent to repair a decay pocket in exterior woodwork. As of 2004 that repair was performing as well as the epoxy repair right next to it. Success is found in the method, not in the product.