Epoxy on the Elephant Tear

[Geron]

Got my second coat of Epoxy on the Elephant Tear today. I know that it needs to cure for a period of time before a final sanding and primer/paint.

Will the heat dissipate adequately and the curing be complete in 3-4 days???
Then she's ready to prime/paint????

Or should I let it cure longer??

g

[doug hodder]

Geron...there are a lot of variables...since you mentioned you had sags and runs...it's going to take longer...I used the fast catalyst on mine last Fri. night and did an entire sand on the body today, got someone to work for me.

How long it takes depends on your working environment, and how heavy a coat you did, and how bad your sags are. Test an area with some sand paper...it should sand into a dust, if it balls up or sticks on the paper in spots, it's not ready. If you want to remove the sags...I'd hit it with like 80 grit on a hard rubber block, or a power board, to knock down the really high spots...trying to do it all with an orbital sander will result in a wavy surface. Get the lumps out before you sand with equipment.

Also, a quick note, if you are sanding with an electric sander (random orbit) with a dust cup, clean out the vanes on the sander regularly, the dust will load them up as well as the tube to the cup. You'll know when it happens as all the dust will be blowing around and chunks will be thrown off the vanes on the sander.

Hope this is of some help...Doug

[Guy]

Dear Geron,

May I tag along on your question and ask, How long you must let the epoxy cure before putting spar varnish on top, or even Clear Coat, if I want another adventure in Do-Over Land.


Geron, I have had to redo the entire roof and hatch three times, because I am outside and some moisture or rain highlighted my stupidity. I just finished the third coat today. So HOPEFULLY on to clear topcoats.

[Steve Frederick]

I will wait a week or more before sanding epoxy. Shop temp factors into this timing. Warmer temps will cure the epoxy faster..
You can tell it's right when the abrasive cuts well, chalky dust!
If the sand paper loads with a sticky film..wait a bit longer.
Basically, if you can sand it, you can apply polyurethane!
Just my method....

[Geron]

Geron...there are a lot of variables...since you mentioned you had sags and runs...it's going to take longer...I used the fast catalyst on mine last Fri. night and did an entire sand on the body today, got someone to work for me.

How long it takes depends on your working environment, and how heavy a coat you did, and how bad your sags are. Test an area with some sand paper...it should sand into a dust, if it balls up or sticks on the paper in spots, it's not ready. If you want to remove the sags...I'd hit it with like 80 grit on a hard rubber block, or a power board, to knock down the really high spots...trying to do it all with an orbital sander will result in a wavy surface. Get the lumps out before you sand with equipment.

Also, a quick note, if you are sanding with an electric sander (random orbit) with a dust cup, clean out the vanes on the sander regularly, the dust will load them up as well as the tube to the cup. You'll know when it happens as all the dust will be blowing around and chunks will be thrown off the vanes on the sander.

Hope this is of some help...Doug

Exactly the answer I needed. Thanks.

Guy, I'm inside but completely inexperienced with the epoxy. The Pot life ran out on me today on my first mix and I was painting on globs.

Voice of experience. Next time I use epoxy EVERYTHING will be coated with epoxy horizontally BEFORE it is assembled. Seems like I read that somewhere but failed to listen But, I still think I prefer epoxy to aluminum.
g

[Keith B]

I did have any runs or sags, except from where I was doing some "filling" of knots, etc. and I put on about 5 coats, very thin, each on a seperate day, sanding inbetween... the other guys are far more experienced than I, but for what it's worth...when I sanded it did turn to dust (wear a respirator) and I waited a week before applying primer/paint... as of right now the paint hasn't jumped off the TD

Have fun sanding... oh how I don't miss that....except, I still have doors to build, epoxy, sand... dang it. FYI: Listen to Doug... I did to much sanding w/ "power" and I have waves, etc...I should have gotten one of those air files or sanding boards or something to keep it much flatter.... EVERYTHING you do now makes the paint that much better and as good as it looks now, is as good as the paints going to look...since you're using Interlux, as I did, don't count on the primer or paint to hide and cover, holes, dips, gaps, etc... Have fun. I bet it's going to look awesome.

[Geron]

Just got back from HD where I bought a flat sanding pad. Had a bucket full of them at the cabin but when you have two places to live the tools are always at the wrong place.

I'm not at all "looks" conscious. I'm far more pragmatic, practical and protection oriented. I will sand some before the primer goes on but not too worried about the final "look". But, what a learning experience. Already looking forward to the next build.

I'm settling for 2 coats of epoxy the primer and paint.
Your input and experience has been most helpful.

g

[Keith B]

Geron... if you're only going w/ two coats then I recommend sanding lightly...the first coat probably got mostly absorbed by the wood itself... thus you'll only be sanding the top/second coat which will be quite thin...just don't break that barrier, as it is your protection. Enjoy.

[Guy]

Well, I got myself up and went to the T4V and lo and behold where I last worked is creamy white. We had a bad marine layer come in last nighty.

Darn, I will sand it again today Stain it dry it and hopefully epoxy before 2 pm. This time with pure fast hardener.

Working outside in LA is such a drag! But it is not going to stop0 me from making thew Dam, NOT THIS TIME.

[Geron]

Geron... if you're only going w/ two coats then I recommend sanding lightly...the first coat probably got mostly absorbed by the wood itself... thus you'll only be sanding the top/second coat which will be quite thin...just don't break that barrier, as it is your protection. Enjoy.

Actually Keith, I had a coat of CPES on before the first coat of epoxy went on. I noticed very little absorption into the wood by the epoxy itself. If I do sand extensively (not likely) I may decide on a third coat of epoxy (not likely ). I'm wanting to "stick a fork" in this one.

g

[Keith B]

... I hear ya... and having Spring knocking on our door surely doesn't help matters does it..