How to avoid "wrinkles" using Peel Ply for the last coat of epoxy.

[fergycool]

I've recently discovered the delights of avoiding countless hours of sanding by using Peel Ply on the last coat of epoxy. A perfect surface for painting, except no matter how well I squeegee I get wrinkles (or creases) that are an absolute pain to get rid of afterwards.

Using the West System and associated fillers. Basically, a layer of epoxy, 300gsm woven cloth, more epoxy, another layer of cloth. All throughly wetted out, then an hour later a final, fairly thick, layer of epoxy, followed by peel ply.

The Peel Ply is squeegeed down and left to cure overnight.

Saves me loads of time before the final coats of InterDeck, but I cannot get rid of these wrinkles. They look to have come from "folds" in the peel ply.

Any tips?

BTW I still value the time I've saving on this job with the Peel Ply, even WITH the wrinkles!

Ta!

Cheers
Ferg

 

[pmagowan]

maybe vacuum bagging.

 

[fergycool]

maybe vacuum bagging.

I'd avoided that as it seems quite a lot of work. Is it?

 

[guardian]

Buy a non-blushing epoxy and bin the peel ply

 

[Poignard]

If the problem is caused by creases in the peel ply it would be better to use some without creases. Either buy it on a roll or iron it with a cool iron.

 

[TQA]

I get better results using a roller.

And as others say make sure there are no wrinkles in the peel ply.