FAQ
Absolutely. Restore-Rite’s epoxies offer versatile solutions. StrongBond Putty works wonders for filling nail holes, small defects, voids, and odd or curvy shapes. No tools are required. It can be quickly mixed and kneaded with gloved hands and pressed into holes or cracks. When your restoration project involves large areas of missing wood, StrongBond Filler paste is a better choice. Sometimes it’s best to use both, first applying the Putty, then smoothing the surface over it with the paste Filler. Once hardened, the Filler and/or Putty becomes a permanent, strongly integrated part of the wood and the repair area is ready for finishing touches.
Yes. Restore-Rite’s commitment to sustainability and protecting the environment shines through in our products. All epoxies in the StrongBond Wood Restoration System are zero-VOC, meaning they do not emit unhealthy toxic chemicals into the air during application. Unlike other epoxies that are full of solvents and have smelly odors, the StrongBond System provides a safe working environment while reducing your ecological and carbon footprint.
Deep-penetrating StrongBond Sealer is your ally when wood is affected by dry rot — a condition caused by moisture and microscopic fungi that eat away the cellulose inside the wood. StrongBond Sealer’s super-thin viscosity is propelled into the wood by surface tension and what is called a “capillary action.” (An example of capillary action is when paint flows up between the hairs of a paintbrush.) This process allows it to wick into tiny crevices as small as 1/500 of an inch (about the size of a human hair). The Sealer makes a strong chemical bond with the substrate of the wood to stabilize and revitalize the wood’s structural strength. When the Filler (and/or Putty) is applied it chemically bonds with the Sealer and the wood, forming a waterproof shield against future decay, from the inside out.
Absolutely. StrongBond Sealer is an excellent adhesion-promoting primer for paint and for gloss clear coats, such as exterior varnish, polyurethane, and automotive spray clear coat. If the Sealer is used as a primer for a topcoat on repaired wood the topcoat will bond better and last longer because it is protected from moisture. Moisture causes wood to turn grey under the paint or clear coat, resulting in paint failure. On new wood a coat of StrongBond Sealer will help prevent dry rot and paint failure.
Yes, both the Putty and Filler are excellent general-purpose adhesives. The Putty will make a strong, permanent bond to most surfaces, including metal, masonry, brick, concrete, ceramic tile, concrete, stone, fiberglass, and some plastics. It can be used to repair cracked floor tiles, broken pottery or ceramics, loose auto trim and small dents, chipped concrete, to replace underwater pool tiles, etc. The Filler is an outstanding multi-purpose adhesive that will permanently bond to most clean and prepared surfaces, including fiberglass, ceramic tile, concrete, stone, brick, and more. However, the Filler is not recommended to be used on plastic.
Yes. For instance, you can use the Putty to replace a ceramic tile under the waterline in a swimming pool. All StrongBond epoxies are moisture insensitive, meaning they will cure on a damp surface. Most competitors’ products were formulated many years ago, before this technology was available.
Restore-Rite’s moisture-insensitive StrongBond epoxies can be applied on damp surfaces. but if it looks like rain is coming it’s best to create a cover over your repair area. If the repair gets rained on, the epoxy will still cure and your job can continue but first have a fan blow on the damp wood to remove any excess moisture. You don’t want to trap water inside your wood.
Yes, but be aware that shipping epoxies via air is expensive due to additional fees plus increased freight charges. If you have special needs, please call 650-204-4557 for a freight quote. Otherwise, our order fulfillment warehouse will quickly ship orders nationwide using ground transportation.
Restore-Rite’s convenient dual cartridges of Sealer and Filler come with 2 mixing nozzles that automatically measure and mix these 2-part epoxies in a precise 1:1 ratio. Inserted in a dispensing gun they release the desired quantity on demand. This give you peace of mind by eliminating the possibility of a runaway chemical reaction that can occur from incorrectly mixing the product in bulk and gives you more control, especially if the repair is located in an overhead or hard-to-reach area.
For your convenience you can buy one from this website (see Accessories in the Products menu.) Carefully read the instructions on the cartridge label or in the product’s TDS (Technical Data Sheet) that you can download from “How To” in the Products menu. Here are a few other things you’ll want to know:
In cooler weather (70°F) you will have a longer working time inside the nozzle—up to 1 hour before it begins to harden and the nozzle will need to be changed. In hot weather (90-105°F) the time is shortened to 30 minutes. Keep in mind that every time you trigger the dispensing gun the working time inside the nozzle is renewed.
In cooler weather (70°F) you will have a longer working time inside the nozzle—up to 12-18 minutes before it begins to harden and will need to be changed. In hot weather (90-105°F) the time is shortened to 10 minutes. Remember, every time you trigger the epoxy through the nozzle the clock starts over on the working time.
If the epoxy hardens in the nozzle it will be impossible for the product to flow out the tip. Most likely it will shoot out of the back of the cartridge causing a mess! If the epoxy won’t come out, change the nozzle. That’s why we give you 2 nozzles. (Additional nozzles can be purchased from this website; see Accessories in the Products menu.)
Yes. First drill a pilot hole the diameter of wire size of the screw, so only the threads of the screw cut into the sides of the pilot hole. After it fully cures (24 hours) the Filler or Putty can be sawed.
It is always best to apply a topcoat to protect epoxy from the UV (ultraviolet light) radiation in sunlight. UV light is epoxy’s worst enemy and will degrade it over time. As soon the wood is sanded to the desired shape the repair can be painted with an epoxy-compatible topcoat.
Water-based paint or gloss-finish varnish can be used as a topcoat with all StrongBond epoxies. Other paints should be checked for compatibility by applying it over the epoxy in a small test area. Most house paints are water-based latex paints that can be applied over the Sealer, Filler, or Putty just a few hours after application. Once the epoxy has hardened and has been sanded with all dust removed it can be painted, with or without primer, with excellent results. Alternatively, you can use gloss varnish. If you want a matte finish, apply the gloss varnish for 3 or more coats then apply coats of matte finish over it.
StrongBond Filler (or Putty) can be sanded as soon as it does not clog up your sandpaper, but the time will vary depending on the temperature and amount (thickness) you apply. At 75oF at a depth of 1” or more you should be able to sand it in 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Epoxies cure in a chemical reaction, unlike paint which dries by evaporation. The epoxy drying times are the opposite of paint. Thin films of paint dry faster than thick films; thick films of epoxy dry faster than thin films.
No, the Filler or Putty can be applied as soon as the Sealer partially cures (becomes tacky) or anytime afterward. You can use either the paste or the putty filler, or you can use both: applying the Putty into holes and cracks then spreading the Filler over it to smooth everything out. In any case, the products will cure together and create a hard surface that can be carved, sawed or drilled to the desired shape. Once the filler doesn’t stick to the sandpaper, the repair area is ready to sand and paint.
Because StrongBond Sealer wicks into the wood so fast and so well, there is little left on the surface of the wood, allowing the Putty (or Filler) to be applied as soon the Sealer becomes tacky (approximately 1-1/2 to 3 hours).
The Sealer will have a longer working time in cooler weather than in hot weather. At 75oF the Sealer will have around 30 minutes of working time. At 75oF the Filler should give you approximately 30-40 minutes of working time.