An article is reinforced by applying to it a thermally curable composition of a resin mixture of 10% to 60% by weight of a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A, 5% to 25% by weight of an epoxy novolac, and 5% to 25% by weight of a reinforcement material comprising carbon fibers. Following application, the composition is cured. In some instances, at least a portion of the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A and/or the epoxy phenyl novolac resin may be adducted with an elastomer.