Epoxy mix mess up.

[I_5320]

So mixing my last batch of US Composite Epoxy I was 1 oz short of hardener ,, having run out.

Sweating through my goggles my math also got fuzzy and turns out it was a 4-1 mix versus the 3-1 called for.

Thinking originally I was not that far off I went ahead and put it on as the second coat of the underside.

Any recommendations? Will it every cure/dry being 25% short of hardener?

Seems to be getting a little tacky after 2 hrs but it's also dimpling. See pic

 

[gm280]

Re: Epoxy mix mess up.

Well at this stage, being how you already place it on the wood, all you can do is wait and see... It should get hard at some time but not sure if it is compromised or not... Only time will tell...

 

[I_5320]

Re: Epoxy mix mess up.

Well at this stage, being how you already place it on the wood, all you can do is wait and see... It should get hard at some time but not sure if it is compromised or not... Only time will tell...

Your right and good news,, it's seems to be setting up good. Pretty much dry to the touch now. Also my disposable brush is about as hard as the earlier two batches. A little bumpy but it's the second coat of the underside so I think it's going to work OK.

This calls for a beer.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Epoxy mix mess up.

get it out in the hot sun as much as possible and it will help a lot.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Epoxy mix mess up.

Im sure Ondarvr could explain this better .. but Epoxy ratios need to be Exact. Its a chemistry crosslinking thing.

Basically like making a pbj sandwich. The poly does not need as much Jelly as it were to make a good pbj. However the epoxy pbj needs a specific amount of Everything.

In other words .. yes the epoxy should be mixed exactly ! .. poly not so much and you can use the heat gun or sun to 'help' you cure poly.

I really dont know how to recommend further.

YD.

 

[pauloman]

Re: Epoxy mix mess up.

you are certainly at the limits of how much you can be off ratio and still get the epoxy to kick. If it kicks you're fine

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Epoxy mix mess up.

The Dimpling might just be the wood grain lifting up .. thats not a big deal and is common.

While I somewhat agree with Paulomans post above .. be careful. Not so say it will.. but I have seen cured epoxy peel right off the surface from improper mixing. Again .. not so say that you will have the same problem. .. .. But you might ..

If you can lift the coating off of the wood.. then you should *ahem* redo it IMHO.

Try it .. I mean really try to take it off. You should NOT be able to do this. Test it out for yourself.

Good luck

YD.