water thin penetrant?

[Todd Luster]

Looking for a really good super thin penetrant.
We used to buy one years ago that was acrylic. Came wrapped in a cardboard sleeve, and was water thin.
I'm looking for that or even an epoxy that thin if possible.
Obviously one that won't have a tendency to oil stain lighter stones.

[dustinbraudway]

/---/Bonstone is still the best Todd. Stoneweld is good but doesn't cure up on top as it stays gummy which sucks. I use the Bonstone pen (I think express 2) and it sets up in about 90 mins. Wicked strong and gets deep into cracks.

[clhilde]

wood and stone acrylic super penetrating sets up in less than 45 min.I use this 90% of the time for fissure repair.If its thru and thru I use a vacuum to pull it thru from the bottom and keep top coating til it starts to set. Polishes to a high shine with sand paper.

wood and stone also has a penetrating epoxy with a 1-1 mix but it needs to set overnight.

[Todd Luster]

Not sure I have ever tried Bonstone for a penetrant.
I ordered some acrylic a while back we used, but it wasn't water thin.
To me if I'm not getting water thin, I rather go epoxy for strength.
Usually not in a huge hurry on a cracked anything.
The repair I need to pull off this week is Labradorite Blue, so definitely worth waiting.

[Terry Roberts]

Bonstone's penetrating epoxy can be thinned with acetone. Heat accelerates kick time, stays water clear and polishes great

[Dan R.]

We stock the Bonstoe Exress II in Knife Grade, Flowing and Pentrating. Sets fast, stays strong. Never had an issue on lighter stone. We use this stuff to repair slabs in shop, seams in field and and almost every imaginable use that may arise.

[Todd Luster]

Thanks for the replies!!

[Matt Lansing]

Put the two parts of the Express II in a cup but don't mix it yet, then pop it in the microwave for 10 seconds. It will really thin it out. Then mix it quickly but watch out, it will set up in about 1 minute in the cup so start counting when the bell goes off. If you mix it before going in the microwave it will set up in about 10 seconds coming out.

I haven't had the best luck trying to thin it out with acetone, it takes forever to set up then.

Just play with your microwave time.

[Chris Mills]

Put the two parts of the Express II in a cup but don't mix it yet, then pop it in the microwave for 10 seconds. It will really thin it out. Then mix it quickly but watch out, it will set up in about 1 minute in the cup so start counting when the bell goes off. If you mix it before going in the microwave it will set up in about 10 seconds coming out.

I haven't had the best luck trying to thin it out with acetone, it takes forever to set up then.

Just play with your microwave time.

Nice Matt, I am going to give that a shot next time I need some crack repairs.

[Mark Lauzon]

Tenax 2 part epoxy used for resining slabs is simply the MOST PENTARATING glue I have ever used. I would try that!

[B.Baltzegar]

K Bond penetrating polyester has been the thinnest I've used.

[Jeff H.]

Keep in mind that if strength is what your looking for, you want epoxy and a slow cure. this allows it get penetrate deep into the stone.

[Joe Little]

K bond penetrating is super thin and strong.

[Brian Briggs]

I use to use TES from Bonstone and heat it up (before they had penetrating). I had spoken with their chemist and he assured me that heat would not disturb the strength of their epoxy. We never had any strength issues from it.

[Terry Roberts]

If you can control the temperature Bon Stone Penetrating can soak in for hours before it kicks. I purchased some to save a stone vanity that had tons of fissures, almost like it was cut off the original block the wrong direstion. It penetrated over so many hours without kicking so I had to recoat it to completely fill the fissures. It polishes like glass. I remember being worried about the heat at the end of the polishing cycle would demple but it didn't.

CA is what I've used for repairing cracks in slabs after they are horizontal. I take it that's not the best adhesive to use but it's worked well.

[Matt Lansing]

I just tried out the Rival store brand penetrating epoxy from Granite City Tool and it smells and performs just like the K-Bond penetrating epoxy which was an excellent product.

We will be stocking the Rival now as it was super thin and set up well.