cleaning epoxy/wood after sanding

[TenE307]

I am using System 3 epoxy. I just finished foaming in under my ski locker and gas tank. my prob is when I sanded down the foam and epoxy on the sides. I have a very fine layer of dust on all surfaces that need epoxy. This wouldnt be a prob but i have bare wood in the middle of this sanded surface. I do not want to get it wet right before I epoxy it. Can I use a Tack cloth, or just a barely wet vinager and water rag before I epoxy the rest. I tried sweaping and vacuming, there is still the fine layer of dust that I need to remove. Im getting close enough I dont want to hurt my progress now.

 

[TenE307]

Re: cleaning epoxy/wood after sanding

I thought I remember reading somewhere that acetone should not be used on epoxy resin. I couldnt find that in a search though.

 

[prockvoan]

Re: cleaning epoxy/wood after sanding

Try some acetone.It shouldn't melt the foam,but then again it might.Try a small spot first.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: cleaning epoxy/wood after sanding

Acetone is ok to wipe everything down with, TenE.

 

[crab bait]

Re: cleaning epoxy/wood after sanding

acetone will melt the foam an surface gum ( soft ) any epoxy.. <br /><br />just use something less potient.. paint thinner..<br /><br />i HATE tack rags..!! they leave the 'sticky' .. i've ruined many-a-thing with them..

 

[jim dozier]

Re: cleaning epoxy/wood after sanding

Try compressed air and then paint thinner.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: cleaning epoxy/wood after sanding

Acetone has never softened cured epoxy or poly resin. It is fine to wipe down those surfaces. If it melts the foam, you might try lacquer thinner or alcohol. Neither leave a residue like paint thinner.

 

[TenE307]

Re: cleaning epoxy/wood after sanding

is all of this safe for the bare wood also?<br />I have had the Marine ply sitting for over a year and dont really want to get any moisture on it before i seal it.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: cleaning epoxy/wood after sanding

Ten, I would cut, sand and prepare all wood, foam and fiberglass areas for your repair. Then wipe down the foam with alcohol or lacquer thinner. Now wipe the wood and fiberglass with Actone, and start "glassing". Acetone and alcohol will actually "pull" moisture out of the wood, when they evaporate.

 

[Terry H]

Re: cleaning epoxy/wood after sanding

TenE, IMO you only need to blow it off with compressed air. What fine particles that are left will mix with the resin. That's all I ever do anyways. If you wipe down with acetone you are just filling the pores with the dust, and your resin won't penetrate as well. just a thought

 

[prockvoan]

Re: cleaning epoxy/wood after sanding

Acetone evaporates complety and don't leave behine any residue.If its not to much dust,you can use a damp cloth,wipe it down.Let it sit overnight,then do your glassing.Bad thing about using epoxie resin,after it cures,it leaves a bluing.To do another coat,you need to wash with water inbetween coats.

 

[BillP]

Re: cleaning epoxy/wood after sanding

Whatever you do don't use anything with water. If you use alcohol use denatured type because it is water free. <br /><br />I would lightly dampen a paper towel with acetone and wipe down...like already mentioned it evaporates quickly and doesn't continue to do damage after that. It likely won't cause enough damage to even notice if you don't flood it or leave the towel on the surface a long time. Try it on a sample piece first to see and you can glass immediately after the wipedown with acetone.