Epoxy isn’t always easy to work with. It can be temperamental, even for us experts, but we do have some tips and tricks to keep up your sleeve if you ever need to work with epoxy. We have some tips to stage your materials before you start, to make the whole process run just that little bit smoother and a few techniques we have picked up over the years.
First things first, disposable items; make sure you have a supply of them handy, and its never a bad idea to be oversupplied. Gloves, containers, foam brushes, stirrers, rags, and acetone are the essentials, so make sure you have plenty on hand and within easy reach. Two rubbish bins are also a handy supply to have. Epoxy does get hot as it activates and acetone is flammable, so you don’t want to mix the two. One rubbish can should be for rags, and the other for any materials that have come in contact with the epoxy. Last thing you want to start is a fire.
As epoxy starts to set pretty quickly, you will want to have your core materials ready to go, and depending on the hardener you are using and the air temperature, your epoxy might start setting quicker. So be mindful of that as well.
Smaller containers are perfect for epoxy work as they allow you work in smaller quantities and you don’t have to rush the application. This way gives you more time to work the epoxy in front of you before mixing more and will allow curing time in between applications. There is a chemical bond that happens with this technique and is the reason you need multiple sets of gloves and containers, but the bond will be stronger and longer lasting if you don’t have to sand down the epoxy in between applications. Once you’re done with one application, throw your container in the epoxy bin you set up earlier, along with the gloves and whatever you used to apply it and repeat the process until your epoxy repair is set.
Whilst these tips and tricks may seem basic, but they really are the foundations of a good epoxy job. Not only will they make the process easier, but a lot less stressful and reduce the risk of accidents, fires and mistakes that mean you have to start again. Of course, if it doesn’t work out the first time, simply start over, sand back the affected area, and go again. If you do get frustrated, you can always bring it down to Advanced Fibreglass Techniques for our team to help you out with the repair. Whether it’s a boat, caravan, or a truck, our team has you covered.
Mark, Nigel and the team provide our clients across industrial, private and commercial fibreglass our professional design and development services as part of the project. We enjoy the challenges presented in boat restoration and take great satisfaction in achieving the customer’s desired result. We use the latest techniques to repair your watercraft, whether it be a small cosmetic repair or a structural modification. Contact Mark or Nigel today, on (08) 8182 4877 or drop in for an obligation free quote.