How can I renovate wood?
It is possible to repair, stabilize, and reinforce rotten wood with epoxy resin. Expensive replacement is not always necessary. However, please note that a structural engineer must always decide on the type of repair for load-bearing wooden parts. Before you begin the repair, you should also find the cause of the damage to the wood and eliminate it if possible (e.g., leaks in the roof). The wood must be completely dry and free of dust. Fragile pieces of wood should be carefully removed. The wood absorbs the resin, which improves its strength, but it will not reach its original strength level. We recommend our epoxy resin 4307 + hardener 313.
Work safety is important; gloves and safety goggles should always be worn, and we also recommend wearing a protective suit. Processing should only take place in well-ventilated rooms.
Processing
For epoxy resins, the processing temperature should be between 15-25°C. The relative humidity should not exceed 70%. (High temperatures – faster curing; lower temperatures can significantly slow down curing.) The hardener addition must be strictly adhered to; please refer to the respective data sheet. Mixing ratio: Mix 100 parts resin / 50 parts hardener by weight! All components should be stirred thoroughly before use to ensure proper curing. Please make sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the mixing cup regularly with a stirring stick to ensure that the resin and hardener are thoroughly mixed. When processing, you should measure the resin/hardener accurately with a (letter) scale; the mixing ratio must be strictly adhered to! To prevent the mixture from hardening too quickly, the mixed resin/hardener mixture should be placed in a flat container, such as a paint tray. The large surface area and flat storage prevent the resin from heating up too quickly.
To make the epoxy resin more fluid, you can also add a thinner. This allows it to be absorbed better by the wood fibers. Please note that adding reactive thinner to the resin can have a negative effect on other system properties. Drilling small holes in the wood can also improve resin absorption.
For larger areas of damage or unevenness, fillers can also be added to the resin. This produces a filler compound that can be applied with a spatula.
Depending on the consistency, you can apply the resin with a brush, spatula, or syringe (for the drill holes). When applying several layers, only apply the next layer after the previous one has dried slightly (wet-on-wet).
Once the resin has dried and hardened, it can be worked with a saw, rasp, milling cutter, or sandpaper. To improve its resistance to environmental influences (especially UV resistance), the resin should be protected with a clear or colored lacquer. After sanding with fine sandpaper, the lacquer can be applied (please test adhesion beforehand).
Use our acetone to clean the tools.
Materials
- Epoxy resin 4307 + hardener 313
- Thinner: EP43RV reactive thinner
- Filler: thixotropic agent
- Clear coat: acrylic clear coat Ultra-Plus
- Acetone
Tools and aids:
- Digital scale - Brush - Spatula - Dosing/injection syringe - Mixing cup and stirring rods - Sandpaper, saw, rasp, drill - Protective gloves - Respirator - Safety goggles
The information contained in this manual is based on careful research. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not release the user from the responsibility of conducting their own tests for the intended purposes and checking for any infringement of third-party property rights. The information is non-binding and does not constitute a guarantee of properties within the meaning of any laws. No liability is accepted for the accuracy and completeness of the information.
