Re: [Paddlewise] Epoxy Sealcoat Thickness?

Aaron Cunningham wrote:

>         I'm beginning the process of preparing to build either a Pygmy boats
> stich-n-glue or a Schade Guillemot strip.
> At this point the process is reaccuainting myself with my tools by building
> Kayak supports, etc.  The other half of the process is using the SystemThree
> Epoxy Trial Kit to familirize myself with epoxy and fiberglass...
> 
>         I started by trying a sealcoat on some spare laminated pine I had around
> the garage.  [snip]
>         All of this begs the question of how thick should this coat really be?   If
> I pour it on in an S-shape and use a squeegee to spread it, how should I
> manipulate it?  Spreading it about with the squeegee at about a 45 angle to
> move the epoxy around, then at close to 90 to take off the excess?  Should
> the fill coat just fill the pores, or should it be a thin "glossy" coat over
> everything?

Lotta ways to apply epoxy.  

For large areas, a very thin nap roller is the best.  Sys Three (and Pygmy)
will sell you the correct roller.  The nap should be approx. 1/8 inch.  Don't
be afraid to roll out the saturation coat.  You are only trying to fill the
pores.  If you apply glass on top, the next coat of epoxy will catch anything
the first coat missed.  If there will not be any more glass, you will need a
second coat of epoxy to complete sealing anyway.  Thin coats make better use of
the epoxy.

For a small area, squeegee to a thin layer and then use a disposable foam brush
(type with a dense foam is best -- type with open pores falls apart) to work
the epoxy around and spread the epoxy thinly.

The Sys Three book has a wealth of tips on how to work with epoxy.  Number one
is temperature control.  Apply warm to get good saturation and good wet out of
glass.  Number two is **get it out of the pot** quickly -- or it will "go
off!"  Number three is **always** wear gloves.

Enjoy your project.  And check out Strosaker's new surf boat ... URL posted
here a couple days ago.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
a two-pygmy-kit customer (no affiliation)
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************