New West 207 doesn't have the amber color

[Jeff Akers]

Hello all,

I just learned that West System has changed the "207 special coating hardener" formula to eliminate the yellowish hue. They now call it "207 special clear hardener".

Has anyone tried the new formula?

[DeanFHobart]

From Their Web Site

Jeff, If it is West you can be sure it is good.

207 Special Clear Hardener™ was developed for coating and fiberglass cloth application where an exceptionally clear, moisture-resistant, natural wood finish is desired. 207 Hardener will not blush or turn cloudy in humid conditions. Thin film applications roll out and tip off smoothly, requiring less sanding in preparation for finish coatings.

Professional and first-time builders like 207 because it is reliable and easy to use. Three coats or more can be applied in one day without additional surface preparation. Fewer coats are required to fill fiberglass weave and in most cases the final coating can be sandd the following day. Boats can be built faster. Builders also appreciate the excellent fiberglass wet-out characteristics achieved with 105/207, yet it won't drain from vertical surfaces like the very slow curing, low-viscosity epoxies.

105/207 has strong physical properties, so it can be used as a structural adhesive for gluing and laminating. It has excellent compatibility with paints and varnishes. An ultraviolet inhibitor in 207 helps provide a beautiful, long lasting finish when used with quality UV filtering varnish. 105/207 cures clear and colorless.

Mix Ratio, Resin:Hardener 3 parts resin : 1 part hardener
Pot life at 72°F (22°C) 20 to 26 minutes
Cure to a solid state 10 to 15 hours
Cure to maximum strength 4 to 7 days
Minimum recommended temperature 60°F (16°C)
Pumps 300, 306-23 or 309-3

[Jeff Akers]

Thanks Dean, I use West Systems exclusively and have full confidence that the new formula will be an excellent product. My real question however is I'm curious to know if anyone has used it yet and can give a comparison to the older product. Are there any changes in the physical property? thicker/thinner? I wonder what the difference in color will be as compared to the older formula? as I'm in the middle of finishing a boat and still have some older 207 left. Thinking I may try some of the" New Clear" instead. Just thought someone on here may have used it and could give a little feedback on it.

[DeanFHobart]

Call Their Tech-Line

Jeff,

Call their Tech-Line,

Technical Services: Toll free 866-937-8797 / 989-684-7286.

Good Luck.

[Jeff Akers]

Thanks again Dean, I did call the tech line yesterday to confirm that it was a new formula and not just a roomer before I posted it here on HR. The tech dude could not give me any thing more than what was on the dada sheet and as far as color? He said it was more clear than the 207 "special coating hardener"( not much help really).

What I guess I'm looking for are some real world answers from us garage builders who have put this stuff down on a piece of wood and compared it to the older product. One of the concerns is that you cant buy the old formula anymore. The part number is the same but the product will be the new clear formula. This could cause (minor) problems with repair work or refinishing when using the new clear next to the older 207 that had the yellow hue.

It must be very new and no one has got any results yet. I will give it a go and do some testing myself.

Thanks again Dean for your effort in trying to help.

I'll Let ya know how it goe's

[Dave M]

Let Us Know

Jeff,

Let us know how your tests go, i am curious, in the same way you are. I was hoping someone would chime in that has actually used it on a race boat. Looks like you are the guinea pig !

Ya, the tech line is as good as the tech sheet, all general info and no specifics !

[Al Peffley]

My Experience

Hi Jeff,

I used the 207/105 West Systems combination on an enclosed trailer deck sealing project last summer with good results. If it is going to fail the "rugged abuse" test, I think it would be on a racing trailer floor covering application. The floor still looks good after one Region 10 boat racing season and the Depue Nats (and also hauling an in-work, hot rod frame with no rear axle installed on it last winter in the rain with muddy conditions.) I did note that the pot working time was different, so I had to change my "mental cure time clock" when I used it. The finish is very clear and hard, it took a very reasonable amount of material for a new bare wood surface in a 20x8 foot floor area (only two quarts of 105 for two thin coats), and I liked the results. I did apply it just a little thinner than the old product for good bare wood penetration. I used a very fine 3-M pad on a sander pole to rough it up between the two thin coats I applied to the bare plywood surface. I like the product very much and would use it again. The mixing containers need to be clean because the hardened epoxy comes out very clear and will show small contaminants suspended in the solution. I would use a new waxed-container bowl with each new mix if I was using it on a boat deck surface as a final coat. I am going to try using it next time on a test sample panel with a little color tint to see if it also works well as a tinted final coating in a three-stage painted surface system.

Al