Epoxy resin issues !!!

Ok, so i know there are a few of you who have actually used this stuff as a finish with success. I'm in about 15 razors finished with it. Here are my issues:

1. Occasionally a scale will dry, and in its reflection the finish will be wavy.
2. on the outer, or bottom edge of a scale (shaped like a piece of a circle) sometimes I'll get bumps along the edge, from the epoxy drying in thicker and thinner spots.
3. almost always get one speck of dust in one scales finish.

My method: sticky tacky razors on ends of dowel rods mounted in wood plank, cover with large tupperware bin with lights off overnight after finish is poured on. and i always finish 3 sets at a time (6 scales). Out of 6 pieces, 2 pieces will typically have one of the aforementioned issues. Any ideas for help? Thanks!

PS - my amounts of resin and activator are precisely even, and i mix them well for 3 minutes.

NOBODY uses this stuff? For economy of time, durability, gloss, and quality, its like 100 times better than anything else!

Really 2 out of 6 aint bad at all if you're doing them all at the same time. You could try applying it with an acid brush (the type of brush) around the problem areas. I have seen that done with fishing rods, and a video with Glen where they are finishing a brush handle. I have seen guitar lutiers use a small squeegee to spread it to aid in the leveling. I haven't used it on razors, but have used it on fishing lures and other projects, and I have usually had the same issues so I only used it where the protection over appearance was the goal.

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Originally Posted by sheffieldlover

NOBODY uses this stuff? For economy of time, durability, gloss, and quality, its like 100 times better than anything else!

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Cannonfodder/Dave uses it and has done sevral "How to" threads on how he does it...

BTW every type of finish has it's good and bad points, you just found the bad points on Poured Epoxy... which disproves your statement above :p

tiddle, thanks for the tips. Glen....even 3 pours and 3 days of drying is to me better than doing one more CA scale!

ps, I originally got the idea from cannon fodder's tutorials. I'm not a fan of doing repairs like that because even after blue jewelers roush you never get that high gloss back, and wax just irritates my customers...

Epoxy does look great when done just right, but having to protect everything from flying dust constantly just kind of turned me off it for razors. I just like good ol' CA and give it a quick swipe of Accelerator and they dust woes are no more; and you can finish the scales within an hour or less.

accelerator you say? How many coats, and how many coats that need sanding before buffing?

wash coat, and let dry without accelerator...sometimes it will crystalize if you use it then. Thin coat, quick spritz of accelerator, wait about two minutes, rub dry w/ paper towel, and continue. You can go to med. for about 4 or 5 coats w/ accelrator sanding flat w/ 400 or 600 grit between coats, or stick w/ thin for 12 coats w/ a shot of accelerator between each coat, and sanding with 400 or 600 every 4 coats of thin. then sand up to 2k, buff with buffing compound and done. It moves pretty quick with the accelerator versus having to sit and let it dry for 20 or 30 minutes every coat. Personally I think the accelerator works best w/ thin, but some use the med...preference really sums it up, but both work.

thanks for the tip. when i stopped using CA, i just gave it up and used thick CA. Only needed like 4 coats of the stuff, but gotta sand between coats, still kills me :gth

If you have ANY questions on epoxy resin, cannonfodder (Dave) is the king. I was over to his shop and he has it down to an art. But it is a trial and error and experience thing. It takes time to learn how to do the process consistently well. I was having issues with bubbles and he showed me a fast way to end that problem!
Personally, I do not like epoxy ... It is rubbery or soft plastic feeling to me. As much as I (and my lungs) hate CA, I like the finish much better. And there are shortcuts to avoid a lot of the sanding.

Are you using true epoxy resin like west systems or are you using a poly/vinylester resin? Also what temperature are you coating at, if you are using west systems it wets a lot better at warmer temps but the pot life goes down the higher the temp.

I deal with the same issues. Just the nature of the beast. I have taken to doing two coats on most of my scales. I paint the finish on to get full coverage then pour the remainder on the scales and let it spread out. Run your brush around the bottom edge of the sides to knock off the drips, that is what causes the lumpy edges. Once the first coat dries/cures (4 days) I take them off the mounts, sand to smooth them out and clean them up then paint/pour a second thin coat for shine. It takes me about two weeks to make a batch, usually anound a dozen sets. I am assuming you are using bar top finish and not a slow set adhesive epoxy. Epoxy works best in warmer temperatures as well. When you mix epoxy it generates heat as it cures, if you are doing it in a cold environment it can slow the cure or outright ruin it. As long as it is 60 or above you should be fine. If you want to do something interesting, mix a batch of fast set epoxy in a plastic cup. Then watch the cup sag and melt from the thermal reaction given off by the epoxy.

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Originally Posted by Zomax

I was having issues with bubbles and he showed me a fast way to end that problem!
Personally, I do not like epoxy ... It is rubbery or soft plastic feeling to me.

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I found running a small flame over the scales pops the bubbles, but don't keep it in one spot or it thins the liquid epoxy in the area. As far as the rubbery soft feeling - I've used two different brands of epoxy so far - one brand feels exactly as you described - I can stick my fingernail in it and leave a mark. The other brand is called EnviroTex Lite pour on high gloss finish, and leaves a very hard finish that won't dent with a fingernail. Btw, I did another razor using your technique with CA and its a lot faster than what I had been doing thus far with CA, thank you.

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Originally Posted by cannonfodder

I paint the finish on to get full coverage then pour the remainder on the scales and let it spread out. Run your brush around the bottom edge of the sides to knock off the drips, that is what causes the lumpy edges. Once the first coat dries/cures (4 days) I take them off the mounts, sand to smooth them out and clean them up then paint/pour a second thin coat for shine. It takes me about two weeks to make a batch, usually anound a dozen sets. I am assuming you are using bar top finish and not a slow set adhesive epoxy. Epoxy works best in warmer temperatures as well. When you mix epoxy it generates heat as it cures, if you are doing it in a cold environment it can slow the cure or outright ruin it. As long as it is 60 or above you should be fine. If you want to do something interesting, mix a batch of fast set epoxy in a plastic cup. Then watch the cup sag and melt from the thermal reaction given off by the epoxy.

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Great advice here, gonna make my life easier :)

Use system 3 clear coat resin.

Clear Coat - System Three Resins, Inc.