I usually only use epoxy. Just for kicks I wanted to try out a small project with UV resin. Did a bunch of reading here first and decided what the heck. I bought some pre mixed cans of lam resin and sanding resin.
Lam went well and it was nice to have it ready for hot coat in 10 min.
With the sanding resin - I applied using a squeege to spread around, then a brush, cross stroke one way, then the next and then final tip out lengthwise. Expose to sun for a few seconds to let the wax surface, back in shade and then back in sun until cure.
My problem is that I seem to be getting some fairly thick brush strokes that set when it cures. Happened on the deck and bottom final coats. Kind of a PITA to sand out but it can be done...
The resin seems rather thick during brushing -- might just be me since I have only been using epoxy for quite some time now.
What all of the above said. Once you learn a couple of very minor tricks(compared to epoxy and Catylized Poly), you'll realize that UV is the best kept secret in the business.
Put down the hotcoat with a 4" brush and then let it sit for 5-10mins. before taking it into the sun. The wax will rise and give the hotcoat time to level out. No need to give it a quick blast of sun then back in. The first UV board I did came out like yours with the brush strokes–I hit it with sun for a few seconds then brought it to let the wax do it’s thing–it came out super streaky. Since then I just leave it alone for 5-10 and no brush strokes. I also use the brush so I get a thick enough coat.
Great tips - I really appreciate the help. As with everything else you only gain experience through trying.
Nice thing was the final coat went over my daughters hand painted acrylic artwork on the hotcoat with no issues. The UV sanding resin sanded out nice and glossed up good enough for me.
I did enjoy working with the UV resin. It sure was nice to have the faster cure time. (compared to standard RR epoxy). I think Ill keep some around for small repairs on the couple of poly boards that we have.
I assume that those of you that use the UV on a regular basis are buying lam resin in larger quantities and mixing in the UV Cat powder, surf agents, etc. -- rather than the pre-mixed cans. Any tips or tricks for that process I should be aware of?
I have some future experiments planned with some RR KK....
As allways - thanks for taking the time to pass along your knowledge to us beginners.
Just a small difference in personal experience and a suggestion. I’ve found epoxy resin is a bit thinner and easier to wet out and fill coat than poly-e. One of the advantages of epoxy over poly. I’ve never used RR, however. Your problem may be because the temperature caused it to thicken, giving you a thicker hotcoat. On cool days I put the can(or jug if it’s epoxy) in the sun for 15 or 20 minutes to warm it up and improve flow. I also give suncure hotcoats a squirt of catalyst. Mike
I did another gloss coat with the UV. Brushed out and waited 15 min. You could see a little bit of the wax rise to the surface. Then into sun for full set.
No brush marks -- once again thanks for the tips guys.
