Hey Onuela-
Rey here from Entropy Resins. Just wanted to see if I can help with this questions on this thread. My responses below:
>>anyone try the super sap bio resin epoxy from Entropy Systems that's supposidly USDA certified as a bio product? (i think Todd uses it)
Yes. Todd from E-Tech Surfboards uses our resin for the majority of boards coming out of their glass shop. Currently our 100/1000 system (37% biobased, USDA Certified) is the amber colored one. It's meant as a general use, bio-based resin. It's good for wet-layup and other ambient cure applications. It's not ideal for surfboards as it is yellow in color by nature, and has no UV stabilizers. So it will yellow quickly. There are guys who build boards with it, but they typically use it for color laminations, and then hot coat with our CLR (clear) system. The 100/1000 does have a fairly fast flip time or tack free time (3 hours @ 75ºF+ ).
For our CLR system, there are many more board builders using this resin with our CLF (Fast) Hardener. I'd stay away from our CLS (Slow) Hardener for surfboards, unless you are working in 90-100ºF + temps. The CLF should give you plenty of working time and pot life, even in 80-90ºF ambient temps. The CLR system comes equipped with UV stabilizers, so will resist yellowing much better. You still can't just leave a board out in the sun 24-7 though.
In the coming months, we will be releasing a more Surfboard specific version of our CLR system, with faster cure times, lower color, and better UV resistance, on par with other surfboard type epoxies. We will also be seeking USDA certification on our new CLR system, so stay tuned.
>> got epoxy exposed awhile back trying to look for something safer or at i can feel safer around.(probably kidding myself)
Unfortunately, when it comes to epoxy sensitization, there is not a whole lot you can do except prevent exposure. This may mean not working with epoxy for a while, and figuring out how/ where you are getting exposed. Most of the time it's because workers are not washing hands after working with epoxy (even if they are wearing gloves) and then going about regular stuff, like eating or touching door knobs. Sanding dust is probably the major cause of exposure/ sensitization for surfboard builders. So fixing that as a source would be a priority before continuing with epoxy.
Although our 100/1000 system does maximize the use of lower sensitizing ingredients, I would not try and lead you astray by saying you shouldn't use regular safety precautions when using any of our resin systems, even though they are partially biobased. Always wear gloves with wet or recently cured resin, use respirators when necessary or in closed air environments, use face/ eye protection when sanding or even laminating.
From an environmental standpoint, our resins tackle the carbon footprint issue by using biobased ingredients sourced from the waste stream of other industrial processes. That is the main benefit. We try to maximize user safety as much as possible when sourcing our raw materials, but at the end of the day, it's still a reactive chemical. So I would always suggest using regualr safety precautions for resin work.
Can’t speak for other resin systems, but you could talk to Matt Campbell from Resin-X. His resin is urethane based and may have better sensitization properties for you to deal with.
>>they also carry it at FoamEZ although i haven't seen it on sale anywhere else
If you are still iin Hawaii, get in touch with Kyle Bernhardt. He distributes kits out there for us, and uses our resins exculsively for his surfboards, paddleboards, etc. In fact he's made boards for lots of pros out there like , Daniel Jones, Duane Desoto, Bonga Perkins, and Andrew Logreco who have won all sorts of world championships the last couple years on boards made with the 100/1000 resin (yellow resin with color tints). His contact info below:
**Country Feeling Surfboards
Kyle Bernhardt
kylebernhardt@yahoo.com
Tel. 808.391.5969
62-202 Kam Highway
Haleiwa, HI 96712
USA**
Also a list of distributors around the world can be found here…
http://www.entropyresins.com/how-buy-entropy-resin-products