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I have been using Zpoxy for pore filling. I want something that is clear and doesn't have amine blush potential.

In looking at the 3 System Three choices I was interested in your experience, the pros and cons of each.

It seems that many here on the forum used Silvertip, yet LMI sells Clear Coat and 112B.

Apparently Clear Coat is much less viscous (thinner) than 112B. To me, that would seem like a big plus since it would run into the pores more easily than a more viscous epoxy. I try to press epoxy into the pores, but if it ran in on its own and didn't shrink back, I would be overjoyed (less coats, maybe just one coat?)

Speaking of viscosity, what is the advantage of making epoxy even thicker by adding the micro beads?

SB-112 is the only product that I saw on the System Three website that specifically mentions its use for musical instruments.

Do you use the Fast Hardener or Slow Hardener with Silvertip? (I would expect the slow to flow out better.)

I assume that all three of these can be used as an adhesive too (unlike Zpoxy finishing resin product)

I understand that Silvertip sands easily like Zpoxy. I wonder about Clear Coat and 112B?

Where are you buying System Three products? Here is the best price I've found at Fiberglass Supply: https://fiberglasssupply.com/s-1-5-quar ... ing-resin/

Thanks for your input in advance.

Ed

I have experience with Silvertip, but not the other two options you listed. I use the fast hardener with it.

I like Silvertip better than Z-poxy which I used for a few years. Silvertip doesn't smell anywhere near as bad as Z-poxy and it can be applied at temperatures below 70 degrees unlike Z-poxy. It does sand easily.

The last time I bought it, it was from Amazon and came as the "System Three Silvertip Epoxy Kit with Fast Hardener". I bought the 1.5 quart version which has 32 oz of resin and 16 oz of fast hardener.

https://www.amazon.com/System-Three-0900K42-Silvertip-Hardener/dp/B00UVH2CMQ/ref=sr_1_2?crid=15ICAIAJAAPEE&keywords=system%2Bthree%2Bsilvertip%2Bepoxy%2Bfast%2Bhardener&qid=1694140819&sprefix=system%2Bthree%2Bsilvertip%2Bepoxy%2Bfast%2Bhardener%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-2&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc&th=1

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At least one of the professional finishers that I know used West Systems but I don't know what flavor he used.

I would think that any epoxy is going to amine blush making it really a question of taking precautions or using something else.

I used System III (again can't remember the flavor that was 2007 - 2008) and micro balloons. My process was much like Mike Doolin's process with SIII. First coat was to wet the poor bottoms and second coat was the heavy fill with a thickened mixture that stuck like there was no tomorrow to the first coat. Worked great. Two coats always gave me 100% fill with no spot filling required.

Ed, I’ve tried most fillers and I have settled on SB112. I don’t use any thickeners, or additives and it takes two coats on Indian Rosewood. Powders up great when sanding. Mix by weigh. I’ve never had a problem with it.

Thank y'all for the responses. They are helpful.

Is anyone using the System Three Clear Coat?