all silica is not created equal

[jprice]

So I finally ran out of the silica filler that came with my initial glen-l epoxy kit.
I got on the glen-l store, and saw that they have a #2 silica that's 1/3 the price of the #1 silica.
I'm thinking "silica is silica...".
Oh no! The number 2 stuff is a powder, as opposed to the tiny microfibers that make up the #1 filler. The problem with it is it takes A LOT of this silica to thicken epoxy to the point where it doesn't sag or run. I mean a ridiculous amount. You really have to thicken it to the point where it's almost dry, which makes it a little difficult to work. Unlike the #1 stuff which gives you a light fluffy thickened epoxy, that stays where you put it.

Lesson learned... don't go for second place.

[Trackhappy]

I don't think it is a quality thing, rather they are for different purposes. I imagine that the powder is used for fine fairing work and the fibrous type is more a glue thickener. Maybe the description needs making a little clearer for potential buyers...