This will be my first time using epoxy (Resin Research) and I have been searching the archives but can’t find much on these questions:
Will the glass show on the deck from the bottom lap in an expxy lamination? If it shows should i do a freelap or cutlap?
Will there be any blush from using the epoxy?
*What is the flip time for the lamination to the hotcoat? Should I hotcoat 1-2 hours after the lamination? Would I lam the bottom, hotcoat the bottom then flip and repeat? How would I tape off if the epoxy is not hard- or should I just wait till it hards and do it conventionally like Poly (lam bottom, lam top, hot top, hot bottom)?
Please help me out with these concerns. Thanks a lot! Brett.
You can freelap or cutlap. Just like poly, 8 or 10 oz will show, 4 or 6 won’t.
There shouldn’t be any blush unless you’re working in really cold & humid conditions or your blank is moist.
Flip time can be as much as a day. Don’t rush it. Do both lams before any hotcoats. Sand really, really well before hotcoats. Your lams should be final-smooth in terms of wrinkles, lap lines, drips, etc., just with the weave showing and only sanded to 100 grit. Then hotcoating & final sanding are a breeze.
Glass won’t show. Free laps are no problem. Sanding the first lam lap edge is very easy.
There is no blushing as long as you put a little Additive F in the lam. I use about 1-2 cc. (actually about 1/2 cap from its’ container).
Flip times can be shortened down to about 30 minutes (with our giant oven) but about 1.5 hours is typical. Waiting overnight has no detrimental effects. Layup sequence is just like with polyester. First hotcoat does not need tape, just use a spreader to clean the drip line and the bottom.
Tip: Resin component can run a little thick in cooler weather. Microwave it for about 10 seconds (not too much, very sensitive to the oven) and properties will be quite workable.