Sapele/Epoxy Resin

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Mudplugger

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May i bend the ears/eyes of the cognscenti amongst you with experience of using epoxy on hard woods. Having expended a not inconsiderable sum on 3 planks of sapele (cos' I like the grain!) and a fair amount of effort in making a Main hatch to match the cockpit seating. It seemed sensible to coat said items with a couple of coats of epoxy, prior to finishing with varnish. Now on third attempt!! in applying the epoxy. first coat went off no probs, 2nd coat applied after 1st coat gone hard failed to cure!! so had to scrape all the previous coats off, sand back and start again. Not Happy!! but went and spent more beer money on new SP kit and applied today! Temp @ 25c, Mix 5-1, Result -Crap! , top surface looks like lunar landing site, with little blisters everywhere, hatch sides perfect!! Any ideas, Guys?? or is Sapele resistant to Epoxy?
 
Were you perchance working in direct sunlight?
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
 
Sounds like it possibly got too hot in the direct sun light before it had time to cure. If you try to force epoxy to cure by heat you run the risk of bubbles forming.

Rub down and start again leaving the hatch in the barn or if putting outside arrange a sun shade to keep it out of direct sunlight. Allow the first coat to cure properly (24hrs), wet flat until you have an even matte finish - no "fish eyes" or other shiny bits then wipe over with acetone, dry and apply the second coat again leaving until cured. Repeat the flattening process and recoating until you have enough thickness built up then final wet flat and varnish repeating the wet flattening between coats - you will wind up with a mirror finish if you take your time.
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hammer.thumb.gif
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
 
I use Diamond Hard floor varnish for this sort of job. It's very tough and resilient
and applied in liberal coatings is almost equal to epoxy and a lot easier to work with.
Focus is where I usually get it. Get their own brand...its cheaper than the ronseal and just as good.

Steve.
 
G'day Tony,

Epoxy coating raw timber can be a bit tricky, the timer will gas if it gets warmer and this will form bubbles, you can overcome this by applying the resin in a temperature stable area, just make sure the timber has been in the area for some time to stabilise.

Also note: Before sanding an epoxy resin you should wash it with a running hose and plastic kitchen scourer till the water no longer forms beads, this will mean the residue left by the curing process has been removed, and it's now OK to sand.

If you sand without washing first, your sander will only spread the contamination and effect the finish of the next coat.

I hope this helps.

Avagoodweekend......
 
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