I really want to get my latest board finished, so I can ride it. I have already sanded the first hotcoat, and now need to apply the final hotcoat to the top and bottom. I have some time tonight, and won't have another chance for another week or two. Unfortunately, the temps are forecasted to dip into the 30's tonight. My garage has vents going all the way around it near the ceiling, so heating up the room is not an option. I have been warned not to work with epoxy unless it is 65 or 70 degress. What is the basis of that warning? Is this warning mainly for the laminating stage because of issues with vicosity? Will I be able to get around the viscosity issues if I microwave my KK resin for 15 sec., and heat my Additive F in a warm water bath prior to mixing? The only thing I can think of is that the cold might cause the KK to take too long to harden, and then run off of the sides.
Hi Scott -
Resin Research will go off in temperatures colder than 65 but is more likely to blush and will take longer. Ideally 65 minimum for 24 hours to get maximum physical properties. On a final top coat physical properties and blush aren't as critical but with temps forecast in the 30s I wouldn't recommend trying it without a space heater or curing box. You might get lucky or you might end up with a gooey mess.
Don't.
You could mix the epoxy and store it in your freezer, cold will completely arrest the reaction. Imagine what temps in the 30's will do to a finish coat. Somewhere between curing and not curing.
My solution is to use something else. Put a few coats of the water borne ployurethane on with a brush or spray and then a coat of carbanua wax and your done.
When doing ding repairs the polyurethane is harder that the epoxy and very strong.
Hi Ian -
Have you tried the UV clear from Matt Campbell? It is a polyurethane finish that comes with a hardener.
Just wondering how the Bonatech stuff compares. It says not to use it over white or pastel due to yellow tint?
Hey John,
I get the Bona polyurethane from work and it is a light amber color that looks good over wood. I have never tried the UV clear with hardener. What I like about the Bona is the low voc- smell and I can put a coat on in a few minutes + it is water clean up. If you are neat you can get a good finish off the brush. Good enough for a garage hack like me.
Thanks guys. I read your posts in time, and decided to skip applying the epoxy tonight. I decided to work on my fin project instead.