Thread: Epoxy resin finish, the how to

Dave,

Does the epoxy have much of a smell? One of the things I don't like about CA is the fumes...

I'm going to have to give this a try. It's a great excuse to visit Home Depot ... I've only been there once this week, and I'm starting to get withdrawal symptoms.

Josh

Good to hear of your success. I tried a couple of different epoxys 2 years ago and they both failed. They both had air bubbles and one felt rubbery.

If you could tell us which brand of epoxy you are using it would help a lot.

I was thinking of using this stuff on some future scale projects, and now I know I can! I've used this stuff in the past for decopage, and there are NO fumes. Also, you may want to cover your scales with a cardboard box after pouring. This is recommended as it keeps DUST off the drying epoxy. Any hobby store (Michaels, comes to mind)will carry various brands of this stuff.

Here is photo of my high tech pouring station, complete with surplus medicine measurer and high tech cut in half coke can mixing container.

Tell me if there are not some super cool looking scales.

Originally Posted by cannonfodder

high tech cut in half coke can mixing container.

personally, i think a high tech Pepsi can works better, but i am biased.

vgod

That is a beautiful finish, I will have to keep this one in mind as I have never tired it on anything.

Chief

Originally Posted by vgod

personally, i think a high tech Pepsi can works better, but i am biased.

vgod

Just don’t use a Styrofoam cup or paper. I did not put much thought into my mixing vessel the first time I used epoxy so I just used a Styrofoam cup. Epoxy creates heat as it cures, and in sufficient quantity it produces a lot of heat. My first batch liquefied the cup I was mixing it in. I still have a hard and shiny pool on the garage floor 3 years later.

I have been under the weather for a couple of weeks, just can shake this bug. So I have not done much else. I have been trying to polish some blades to put in some scales with mixed results. A metal polisher I am not.

At any rate. I went looking for more epoxy to do a dozen scales. The hardwood store had it in pint quart and gallon jugs. Unfortunately, it was adhesive epoxy. So I thought I would mention this tidbit. If you want to try epoxy, you cannot use adhesive epoxy meant to glue stuff together. It sets way to fast and most do not dry clear. You need furniture finish epoxy, bar top finish, table top finish, finish glaze coat epoxy etc… Not all epoxy is created equal. This is a very slow setting epoxy which gives the air bubbles time to rise out and the resin to level out before it cures. I have to do more looking to find a fresh supply. What I had was 3 years old and the resin was starting to granulate. Once I have a fresh batch I plan on making a big production run and do at least a dozen different types.

I am also thinking of trying an inlay. I have been snapping up WH Morley clover brand razors. Once I get a dozen I thought of trying the nice red bloodwood with a green 4-leaf clover inlay in the scales, if I can find something that is the correct size and tasteful. Get that Irish spin working, but that is what I get for marrying a red head green eyed Reilly many moons ago.

Pins are what concern me. I have never pinned before but kilowattkid has so I will be relying on him for guidance. I have seen the Dovo pin kits and have mixed feelings about them. They will work, but something a little nicer would be nice. I also need to cut some wedges for the scales, not sure how thick or what angle to cut them either. Making the scales is the easy part.

Anyone have any recommendations, and I know there are pinning threads out there, I just need to search.

Dust is the scourge of every high gloss finish and you do need to take the appropriate steps to prevent dust. I will often put the final coat on in the house instead of the garage just because of the dust.

Keep in mind, the above scales had two light coats of high gloss polyurethane put on them after the wet sanding.

Originally Posted by yul b. nekst

I was thinking of using this stuff on some future scale projects, and now I know I can! I've used this stuff in the past for decopage, and there are NO fumes. Also, you may want to cover your scales with a cardboard box after pouring. This is recommended as it keeps DUST off the drying epoxy. Any hobby store (Michaels, comes to mind)will carry various brands of this stuff.

There are some fumes as with anything that contains solvent, but it is not very bad.

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

Dave,

Does the epoxy have much of a smell? One of the things I don't like about CA is the fumes...

I'm going to have to give this a try. It's a great excuse to visit Home Depot ... I've only been there once this week, and I'm starting to get withdrawal symptoms.

Josh