Over the last 2 days I have used Timbabuild’s EWS, EHB60 and finish as well as Repaircare’s Dry flex 4 and superflex Finish. I wanted to do a little comparison on the different products. It is basically Timbabuild vs Repair care and put forward my findings.
I won’t be doing a EWS comparison as I haven’t used the Repaircare equivalent.
This is a tricky one for me as I have been a Timbabuild man for a good few years now and am a trusted and approved Timbabuild contractor with case studies on their website. So here goes…
Guns and Mixability
I find the Timbabuild gun is easier to use as it is just the one tube (two tubes in one configuration) to put into the gun. Repair Care’s is two separate tubes and I found it has the tendency to fall out if the gun gets laid upside down, or applied at an angle. As for mixability (yes I made that word up) I felt that Repair Care has the slight upper hand here as the product physically changed colour when it’s mixed, where the Timbabuild doesn’t change as much. They both take the same sort of time to mix. The Timbabuild is easier to mix as it comes out as one feed where the Repair Care comes out separately from the 2 tubes.
Application
I have both the Repair Care plastic spatulas and the Timbabuild ones and I can’t fault either. The Timbabuild ones are made of a slightly harder compound which helps reduce wear. I found both resins to be easy to apply over my spliced and routed wood with adequate working times.
Sanding Timbabuild vs Repair Care
I’m pretty sure both companies say not to sand back with an electric sander. But, who in this day and age has the time to do it by hand and to get the finish by hand too. I sanded both back with a Mirka Deros and Deos with 80grit pads, The Repair Care did get a little gummy where the Timbabuild didn’t.
Finish – Timbabuild vs Repair care
I find the Timbabuild finish to be excellent. It is a very fine filler and easy to apply and sand back when cured. The Repair Care superflex is a good filler but has the same sort of feel as applying the Dry flex which threw me off a bit. I felt the Timbabuild was easier again to sand down. Once sanded down they both had similar finishes to them. The Timbabuild has a finish more of wood filler which I prefer. The Repaircare has a slightly more shiny finish to it.
Cost and Availability of Timbabuild vs Repair Care
Timbabuild is by far the cheaper option. However, it is not readily available from large stockist like Dulux, but the Repair Care is. I know that Timbabuild is stocked in Leyland in London, but for me that isn’t anywhere near me. I also know that it is stocked by a Decorating warehouse about 30 minutes from me too. But, again that was too far as I was in a town with a Dulux centre. Sometimes it’s just easier to order online.
Repair Care – Click here to see online prices.
Timbabuild – Click here to see online prices.
So, Which is Better?
For me, I will be sticking with Timbabuild as they have been great to me from day one. Brian Jones and Andrew Stewart are always available on the phone or email to give you any pointers you need. I am sure this is the case for Repair Care too, but I haven’t needed to get hold of them. If I am caught short on a job then it is nice to know that there is always the option for Repair Care.
As for which product to go for? It is down to the individual and the job I guess. If you are stuck on a job and can’t wait then go for Repair Care. If you can wait then go for Timbabuild. They are both brilliant products and both offer training courses across the UK.
I haven’t written this as a slagging match. This is written from my point of view and my opinion. I don’t represent anyone else’s views on this, it is purely my own.
I hope this helps someone in the future. There’s a market out there to be conquered and resin repairs are the way to do it.
For more product reviews check out the Decorators Forum website
An Alternative?
Repair Care and Timbabuild were the only two choices for this type of product. That is of course, until Oxera came along. Oxera are very similar to Timbabuild. They have been manufacturing epoxy fillers for years, but only recently started selling products under their own brand. The best thing about Oxera is, not only are they good quality, but they’re cheaper. Only available online, it will be interesting to see how many decorators will swap their repair Care and Timbabuild systems for Oxera in the coming months.
For Oxera – Click here to see online prices
Repair Care – Click here to see online prices.
Timbabuild – Click here to see online prices.
Thanks for this- I went with Timbabuild. Got an extra 10% off ordering from Dulux, too!
The cost of repair are has what’s stopped me taking the plunge, and I hadn’t heard enough about Timbabuild, but I’m confident in using this product now, cheers!
I’ve used both systems, Repair Care is easier to shape and doesn’t slump at all.. the big downside is it’s a nightmare to sand. I was told at the Repair Care P&D show stand that Dry Flex is not sandable which is not what the literature says. Timbabuild is also excellent especially the Finish product which sands down to a great finish. I would personally use Timbabuild for repairs in complex shapes and architrave as it sands much easier.
great insight