Third coat of epoxy...I'm dissapointed..FIXED

[Alphacarina]

Don, I could be wrong(probably am) but I don't think you can use microballons(or any other filler) in your epoxy, if you want a clear finish such as John has on his Woody....everytime I have used them, they added color and opacity to the mix

No, you're correct, Jack - If color is important, about the only thing he can do is what he's doing . . . . add another coat, sand smooth and add another coat - Until he gets the desired flatness. Even then, the ticker places meay have more color than the thinner ones

Lots of trouble . . . . but well worth it when you see the final product

Don

[Podunkfla]

I went out today and bought a set of cabinet scrapers. I burnished one of them and tried it on a section of the tear. It went really well, and removed most of the orange peel effect in about five minutes. This will cut down my sanding time enormously. I still have to sand....Dangit, but it won't take as much time as I previously thought.... I think I can fix it......

Good plan!
I love my cabinet scrapers too... Plus, this little handled blade scraper for getting into tight corners. A very good quality tool.
I got it from Hartville Tool, one of my favorite suppliers: http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/11211

I hope it goes well for you.

[schaney]

Another thing that can cause a rough surface with epoxy is "blush", although more fisheye than orange peel looking. This is a waxy film that forms as many epoxys cure. The faster cure epoxys have more potential for blush. I also use West System epoxy, with a 207 hardner it isn't normally an issue, with a 205 I regular get some blush. Blush is easy to deal with, a quick wash with water and a green 3M pad cleans it right off.

When sealing wood with epoxy, I normally use a squegee and put two coats on. Once I have the first coat on I thicken some epoxy with sanding dust from the wood I'm sealing. Then look for air bubbles, in many cases these will be pin holes that need filing or they will cause surface imperfection. Using a squegee I make a pass or two with the thicken epoxy over the area to file it. I also like to put my second on when the epoxy get to the tackiness of masking tape, this allows for a chemical bond verse mechanical and cuts down on sanding.

[GPW]

No way to get around that sanding....We used to paint custom Corvettes in my brothers body shop... even with factory fiberglas parts , the amount of sanding was INTENSE!!! Sanded for weeks sometimes for that "perfect finish "... then polished too ...

[Micro469]

After spending eight hours sanding the Tear, I recoated it with the fourth coat of epoxy. Took me all day, but am pleased with the result. Tho not perfect, I'm satisfied...













Still deciding on the color of the fenders.....Anybody out there with photo shop skills that can show me what it would look like with cream, red , green, blue, or black fenders????

[peggyearlchris]

It sure looks pretty.Great job there. Peg

[Juneaudave]

Sweeeeet!!! I've never seen such smooth epoxy. What'cha going to coat it with??? Inquiring minds NEED to know!!!

Great Job

[Micro469]

Sweeeeet!!! I've never seen such smooth epoxy. What'cha going to coat it with??? Inquiring minds NEED to know!!!

Great Job

Planning on Auto clearcoat...Like the fact That I won't have to redo it every couple of years like varnish....

[daveleb55]

John,
what color is your tow vehicle? Some folks like the fenders to match that color. Otherwise, I don't know. You might go with a nice gloss black, just so it doesn't clash with the wood or the vehicle. My two cents, anyway...

Dave

[Micro469]

John,
what color is your tow vehicle? Some folks like the fenders to match that color. Otherwise, I don't know. You might go with a nice gloss black, just so it doesn't clash with the wood or the vehicle. My two cents, anyway...

Dave

Right now the tow vehicle is green.... but that's gonna change in the next year... air died... mileage high... time for a new one(new older one)....

[Mary K]

OHHHH Johnny!!! WOW!!!!!

I just did 3 hours of sanding and I'm beat! But 8 hours? You got to be hurting! Time for some Icy Hot!!

I does look wonderful John!!

Is it done Yet??

OH AND Can you get a close up of the porch lights for me, or us. When you get a chance. I have been trying to figure out what they look like.

Thanks

Mk

[Miriam C.]

Wow John I am gonna hide mine. That is truly beautiful.

[Micro469]

OHHHH Johnny!!! WOW!!!!!

I just did 3 hours of sanding and I'm beat! But 8 hours? You got to be hurting! Time for some Icy Hot!!

I does look wonderful John!!

Is it done Yet??

OH AND Can you get a close up of the porch lights for me, or us. When you get a chance. I have been trying to figure out what they look like.

Thanks

Mk

The porch lights are outdoor night lights of the 12 volt variety, available at any of your big box stores anywhere..I think...I'm not even surew I'm going to keep them......

[benzu]

Good Job, just starting to prep mine for the first coat of epoxy tomorrow. Hope mine looks as good as yours.

Mike

[Podunkfla]

Hey John... Here's a few variations on the fenders for ya...