Starting Epoxy Tomorrow

[tscarbroughdc]

Well folks after what feels like two years (really 4-5 months), I am finally going to try to start my epoxy tomorrow! I bought it from RotDoctor like many here have recommended.

Anyways I was wondering if you had any tips on mixing it to preping the wood on the camper to what brush to use?!?!?

I really hope I get one or two here to lead me through this. Thanks for any tips you have!

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[tony.latham]

I used the Raka thin epoxy. I'm guessing it's thicker than the RotDocter stuff you are using. I mixed it up in clear plastic picnic cups. Mixed epoxy, if contained in a small area will give off enough heat to make the batch go off much faster than the stuff you've applied. Either mix small portions, or mix it and pour into a disposable paint roller tray to spread it out.

If the stuff you are using is a 1:1, it's a no brainer on the mixing. Otherwise, lets say it's 2:1, measure out 4 ounces of water in one clear cup, mark it, dump the water out and dry it off. Measure a second cup with 2 ounces and repeat. Now you've got two pre-marked containers to work with. What ever the ratio is, stir it until you're bored and then stir some more.

I rolled mine on with foam rollers and then moved it around with a plastic squeegee. I think you could get away with chip brushes as long as you pick the occasional loose brush hair out.

And wear disposable gloves! Cleanup with acetone, except on your skin, that'd just help flush it into your system.

[nevadatear]

There is a better way to measure i got from steve fredricks manual. Use disposable clear plastic cups. Take two, one stacked inside the other. Measure out 1 oz of water into the stacked cups and mark the outside of the stacked cup with the level inside with a magic marker. Don't dump the water. Add 2oz (or 1 oz if your ratio is 1:1). of water to the 1 oz. mark the level again. Now dump the water and you have a graduated measuring tool. Now each time you measure epoxy, put a cup inside your measuring cup and pour your hardener to the first line and the resin to the second line. Remove from measuring cup and stir until your arm falks off. This way you don't have to measure/ premeasure each time and you only use pne cup per mix, steve has pictures of this in his shop manual.

Mark up several measuring tool cups with different amounts/ batch sizes. Just don't forget to put a new cup inside the measuring tool each time. Don't ask me how I know this!

[les45]

I'm a little confused. In your separate post yesterday you said you were doing CPES today. There is a difference in applying CPES and layup epoxy. Which one are you actually using?

[tscarbroughdc]

I'm sorry. I thought that epoxy was epoxy.

And I just noticed that I got the cold weather CPES and not the hot weather. I'm going to be applying it in my garage.

Doesn't matter I'm using what I have here anyways. So please see the picture below for exactly what I'm applying:

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[CARS]

Those first two replies gave me a headache.

Try these: http://www.ezmix.com/mixing.htm

That is just one brand. Available at any automotive store that sells paints. Could even ask a body shop to sell a couple to you.

Other option is my local NAPA store has disposable stir sticks that have different mixing ratios on them.

[atahoekid]

Once you do the two cup thing that Nevadatear mentioned it really is a whole lot easier than it sounds. If you rely on pumps, you'll probably do fine but they are notorious for burping and they don't always go to the bottom of the can. The problem with the pre-measured cups are the number that you will need to get the job done and trying to clean epoxy out of plastic cups is a pain in the neck. Try it, you'll like it...

[tscarbroughdc]

I applied the first coat of CPES today to the Luan on my benroy camper. It was more liquid than I thought that it would be while applying it. Is it supposed to be liquid or more like a syrup?

By the time I finished applying it, I noticed that it was getting sticky so I guess I applied it right.

I'm planning on 2-3 coats to the Luan only. I planning on only painting the 3/4" plywood sides and NOT applying the epoxy to the sides. Does that sound ok?

[Micro469]

I applied the first coat of CPES today to the Luan on my benroy camper. It was more liquid than I thought that it would be while applying it. Is it supposed to be liquid or more like a syrup?

By the time I finished applying it, I noticed that it was getting sticky so I guess I applied it right.

I'm planning on 2-3 coats to the Luan only. I planning on only painting the 3/4" plywood sides and NOT applying the epoxy to the sides. Does that sound ok?

If you are using CPES apply to your sides as well. It's a penetrating epoxy, very liquid, and seals the wood very well.

[les45]

+1 on what John said. You should coat all bare wood with CPES and especially all exposed edges. CPES has the consistency of water and is not thick at all if properly mixed and applied.