Epoxy Question

[Ralf]

I put te third coat of epoxy on my mahogany ply sides. I sanded between the 1st and 2nd coats. If I sand the third coat will the Spar Varnish bring back the glassy sheen after I sand the third coat? If I sand the third coat before varnish, what grit should I use?

[doug hodder]

If you are applying the epoxy prior to a complete cure, you don't need to sand, if it is completely cured, I'd sand between coats. It's pretty thick and can hide a scratch, but when it comes down to the final coat and clear coat, I use something pretty fine. Like 180 between the epoxy coats, and then 220 prior to any clear finish over it. Make sure that the last coat is really cured or you'll just waste sandpaper on it and get poor results. Yes, it will bring back the shine to it, but it will only be as shiny as whatever it is you are putting over it. Just what I've found. This one has auto clear sprayed over the epoxy. Doug

[Ralf]

Thanks Doug. Clear coat sounds better than varnish. Do you mean 2 part auto clear like PPG Concepts DCU2002? I ran out to the shop and read that off the can, left over from a tractor restoration. It's been opened so probably no good.

[Ralf]

Doug, I forgot to mention, like the wing. I made a pattern out of foam core of a single swept back wing to inlay in Birch on the Mahogany. But, now I'm thinking of making it in diamond plate and having the trailing edge extend beyond the hatch a few inches. ( no further than the end of trailer so I don't walk into it ) Is yours inlayed in the side?

[doug hodder]

My "wing" is in gold vinyl first surface on top of the clear...If I sell the trailer, and someone doesn't like it, they can strip it off. I keep my tear under cover so there won't be any ghosting/ fade left in the finish if it is removed. For the clear coat, I use Transtars Euroclear it's a 2 part system and I do put in a little reducer, everyone has their preference, and that's what I can get locally. The guys at West System Epoxy say that an auto clear is a great UV top coat system. If the catalyst has been opened for a while and has kinda turned an amber color, you might want to check with the local paint shop guys as to whether or not you want to use it. I try to buy close enough to what I'm going to use on those type of items that might be moisture/temp sensitive over time in storage. Doug

[jeepr]

Thanks Doug. Clear coat sounds better than varnish. Do you mean 2 part auto clear like PPG Concepts DCU2002? I ran out to the shop and read that off the can, left over from a tractor restoration. It's been opened so probably no good.

It should still be good, unless it's a few years old. The only thing I would buy fresh is the hardener.