Question about epoxy for the experts.

[mochosla]

When building a rod, I wrap all the guide under wraps first and apply a thin coat of epoxy. I proceed to wrap all my guides and once apply a thin coat of epoxy followed by thicker coats until done. My question is, would it be better to dilute the epoxy with acetone when applying the first coat to the guides? Why? To make sure there is better epoxy penetration to the guide's foot. Are any of you doing this?

Thank you.

 

[SouthBayKiller]

I’m pretty sure @GClev does this, but I can’t recall what he uses to dilute it with?

 

[dalurker]

IMHO:
there is no Exact Way of doing it.
many just do the whole wrap and thinly coat, coat, coat.

if you have the time and patience, then, by doing layer by layer, it makes for a much easier and cleaner "next layer".

thin it? you can with acetone or just heat the epoxy in the micro for "SECONDS" at a time. the viscosity will thin immensely BUT you will also induce/fire off the cure speed as well.

i just goop the crap out of it all, then hit it with a heatgun (torch in my case) and level as the viscosity reaches the consistency i want to achieve what i want.

Watch this Video from Seeker. FFwd to 11:24

 

[swami 805]

You don’t need to thin it with acetone, like above, use heat. It makes it easier to wrap the guides on if the base has been coated Sounds like you’re fit right

 

[skrilla]

I use heat. If I add a few drops of acetone it's merely for personal entertainment.

 

[plj46]

I'll add a little acetone or denatured alcohol on the first coats.It helps when it's cold.It also helps when it's hot out by slowing down the curing process.I then use a torch to get it flowing better and to get the solvent to flash off.

 

[ProteusTails]

Why not just use a thin build product, D2 works this way. Have yet to try my Gen 4

 

[mochosla]

Why not just use a thin build product, D2 works this way. Have yet to try my Gen 4

I have not but I’ve heard good things about it so I’ll give it a try.

 

[mochosla]

IMHO:
there is no Exact Way of doing it.
many just do the whole wrap and thinly coat, coat, coat.

if you have the time and patience, then, by doing layer by layer, it makes for a much easier and cleaner "next layer".

thin it? you can with acetone or just heat the epoxy in the micro for "SECONDS" at a time. the viscosity will thin immensely BUT you will also induce/fire off the cure speed as well.

i just goop the crap out of it all, then hit it with a heatgun (torch in my case) and level as the viscosity reaches the consistency i want to achieve what i want.

Watch this Video from Seeker. FFwd to 11:24

Your link does not work for me. It points to google mail. I’m curious now.

 

[GClev]

If you have a method that works, great. Stick with it.

This isn't my method. I just copied it from some real experts, Leon, Yo. Roger Seiders owner of FlexCoat is a great source of information. This is his way... get it done with one layer of thinned lite build epoxy, no intermediates, no color preserver, even on a triple wrap, and then one layer of lite build epoxy with no thinners.

MEK, my first choice of thinners, is now banned for home use in CA, NV, and AZ. Thin the epoxy with 91% isopropyl alcohol from the WalMart skin care section. It works just as well as MEK. The 70% has too much water. Acetone is too volatile and gone too soon. Thinned epoxy cures in 24 hours. It hardens just like the epoxy without thinner.

Intermediate layers of epoxy or color preserver are a waste of time and resources and build a weaker rod. Rods built in layers come apart far easier and crack at the guide foot. Call Roger. He knows his own products.

I'm old and shaky and far from perfect, but here's a few two-coat builds using FlexCoat Lite.

 

[dalurker]

Your link does not work for me. It points to google mail. I’m curious now.

Ooopsie! thanks! i'll edit the link.
here ya go:
Seeker Rod Factory
f.fwd to 11:24

 

[short-range]

Ooopsie! thanks! i'll edit the link.
here ya go:
Seeker Rod Factory
f.fwd to 11:24

I went to Seeker and watch the ladies do this one was using a brush that looked HUGE, I use a smaller brush when painting my house lol