Another epoxy ?

Posted:
Tue Sep 07, 2010 2:36 pm
by Reddiver
Yesterday I epoxied the roof of La Tortuga. It came out pretty nice.. There is some dust with I don't know how I could ever avoid and a few small runs. Can I just sand the runs and recover the spot or will that make it worse .Can I wet sand to get the dust out? At this point I think I have to concede .I tend to over do to that point I may never GET ER Done

Posted:
Tue Sep 07, 2010 4:25 pm
by Larry C
The best way to remove runs is a sharp paint scraper. The scraper will just remove the run. Sanding is difficult because if you over sand beyond the actual run, you risk cutting through the epoxy.
I would sand the entire surface after scraping the runs. The dust particals will be removed with the sanding. Wet sanding is very efficient, however, it is easy to over do it and cut into the wood unless you have several epoxy coats. Be careful if you wet sand.
I assume you are doing another coat of epoxy or are ready for the finish coats of paint or varnish. Remember, the surface finish of the epoxy will print through the final finish.
The time spent preparing the epoxy surface will show in the final finish. If you leave the typical epoxy orange peel finish without sanding it smooth plus adding another coat or 2 of epoxy, the final finish will look just like the epoxy does now, rough and lumpy.
Larry C

Posted:
Wed Sep 08, 2010 7:03 pm
by sdakotadoug
What worked well for me on a cedarstrip canoe was a small thin steel scraper about 2X4 inches. You flex the thin steel and push it away from you. Very precise and very efficient. After scraping then you can sand as usual. Mine came from Lee Valley but any woodworking store should have them in stock.