Eric's C21

[Reid]

Eric,

Everything is looking really good! (with the exception of that Clemson cup, I will find you a nice FSU one for your next round of photos!!)

Reid

[Eric1]

Eric, warming the epoxy is not to mix it but to thin it for easier spreading. I experienced the same "no roll in the roller" until I heated the resin. Once hot it was very thin and a poured line did not hold firm (ran down slope) making it very easy to spread.

I know you've completed your test, but consider making a test batch with wanted resin and use the foam roller to apply. That was the magic solution for me.

Perhaps, I'll think about it. I know Cracker Larry had stated this as an issue.

Eric,

Everything is looking really good! (with the exception of that Clemson cup, I will find you a nice FSU one for your next round of photos!!)

Reid

Thanks Reid! Don't send the cup though, I have plenty of things to shoot at up here!

[tcason]

I find the epoxy much easier to use when at 85 degrees - it is much thinner and really flows - almost like heavy varnish.

[Fuzz]

Dang if I had to wait until it was 85f to use epoxy I would need to do it all in one day every decade or so.

[Eric1]

Dang if I had to wait until it was 85f to use epoxy I would need to do it all in one day every decade or so.

Bingo!
Will the epoxy flow better? Sure. Is that enough issue to have me to warm up the epoxy? Not at all.
Does heating it up yield a much nicer finish? Dubious, It's still not going to look great.

Pro's:
Wets out graphite and roll easier.

Cons:
Waiting to heat it up.
Shorter pot life.
Having to rush to use it because of reduced pot life.

To each his own. As most of you have already said, I'll end up wet sanding this anyway. I promise it will ONLY be enough to knock off the worst of it.

[narfi]

Pro's:
Wets out graphite and roll easier.

Cons:
Waiting to heat it up.
Shorter pot life.
Having to rush to use it because of reduced pot life.

I think you have proven to be meticulous with your build so far. So I would have thought you would do every 'little trick' to make it nicer...
It seems like a pretty simple thing to set the jugs of epoxy in hot water for 15 minutes before you start so thats not really a big deal.
Shorter pot life also shouldn't be a big deal as you are immediately pouring it out and rolling it, so it will be over a thin area and still doable in your time window.
Having to rush... yes probably, but how long does it really take to roll out a nearly horizontal surface anyways?

[Jaysen]

heating is relative in complexity. I just used an oil radiator and set my cups of resin (just the resin) on top. I found that I could mix, dump, spread up to 6oz before kicking but 3oz was less rushed in mixing. With bigger rollers 6oz would have been even easier. I do think the finish is noticeably smoother where I used warmed epoxy. Granted my standards are low but it is noticeable. Part of it may be that the higher flow paired with the faster kick let it "slick then freeze" before I could mess it up with extra attempts at smoothing.

That said, you will get good results with your attention to detail and sanding no matter what you do with the temp. Can't wait to see that black mirror finish.

[Eric1]

Pro's:
Wets out graphite and roll easier.

Cons:
Waiting to heat it up.
Shorter pot life.
Having to rush to use it because of reduced pot life.

I think you have proven to be meticulous with your build so far. So I would have thought you would do every 'little trick' to make it nicer...
It seems like a pretty simple thing to set the jugs of epoxy in hot water for 15 minutes before you start so thats not really a big deal.
Shorter pot life also shouldn't be a big deal as you are immediately pouring it out and rolling it, so it will be over a thin area and still doable in your time window.
Having to rush... yes probably, but how long does it really take to roll out a nearly horizontal surface anyways?

You left this part of the quote out:


Bingo!
Will the epoxy flow better? Sure. Is that enough issue to have me to warm up the epoxy? Not at all.
Does heating it up yield a much nicer finish? Dubious, It's still not going to look great.

[danieloldhouse]

I've been away for a while due to a bad accident on work, I got a shoulder dislocated, three ribs broken and six points on my head but thanks God I'm still around, and man.. what a nice work!

My goodness! I'm glad you are still with us!! I pray you will heal quickly.

Thanks Eric, prayers are always well accepted, anyway now it's going much better
I'm really impressed for the accuracy with which you do everything, how you search every little flaw and try to fit it, it's gonna be a very nice boat

[glossieblack]

I'm really impressed for the accuracy with which you do everything, how you search every little flaw and try to fit it, it's gonna be a very nice boat

Yep. Well said.