Mixing epoxy
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Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Rod Building
Forum Description: Rod building chat here
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69625
Printed Date: 09 Jun 2026 at 8:08pm
Topic: Mixing epoxy
Posted By: Senator.
Subject: Mixing epoxy
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2011 at 6:42pm
How do you guys mix epoxy. I always seam too get alot of bubbles ? Do you guys let it stand for awhile or what's the trick 
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Replies:
Posted By: Dohboy
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2011 at 7:06pm
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If you are getting bubbles spread it out on tin foil
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Posted By: Senator.
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2011 at 7:10pm
| Swt I'll try 2night |
Posted By: MarkE
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2011 at 7:18pm
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Mix in small amounts (20ml is more than enough on all but the biggest rods) - I use those small plastic shot glasses. Mix slowly and you should get minimal bubbles. Let sit for a few mins before use and you'll find most bubbles will dissapear.
Also, Store your Epoxy in the hotwater cupboard when not in use - keeps the viscosity down (especally over the winter months.)
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Posted By: Red Hunter
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2011 at 7:45pm
| x 2 on what Marke says . |
Posted By: gtrbaby
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2011 at 1:57pm
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mixing on tin foil is a good way to go. - bubbleless expoxy start from when and how you take it out of the bottles.....if you use a syringe - do it SLOWLY so you dont draw air in at the time - same thing when you squeeze it out - nice and slow. I usually put the resin down first onto tinfoil - then the hardener in the middle of the resin - I use the top of my epoxy brush to mix it - nice small circles - mix slowly - keep the tip of the brush on the surface - dont lift it - if you do- you trap air. it usually take 2-4 minutes to mix it right - goes from clear to streaky to clear again. let it sit for a minute to get the bubbles (if any) to the top - use a gas torch to lightly go over it - to break the surface tension and release the trapped bubles
- epoxy works thermotrophically - so it gets warm when it sets due to the chemical reaction - if you spread it ou on tinfoil - it does not have the depth/concentration to go off quickly - so it is a double good idea - plus when you're done - you just screw up the tinfoil and into the bin
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Posted By: MarkE
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2011 at 3:05pm
| I also thin my Epoxy down - this will also help as the air bubbles can rise and escape much easier through a thinned (lower viscosity) mix. |
Posted By: Senator.
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2011 at 5:35pm
| Good tips cheers. Mark what are you thining with |
Posted By: Gareth27934
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2011 at 6:05pm
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Don't thin epoxy it'll weaken the structure. Mix smaller batches and work it more.
I put my epoxy in a vacumn chamber and suck the bubbles out of it.
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Posted By: MarkE
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2011 at 6:33pm
I just use normal Epoxy thinners. 4 or 5 drops per 15ml is all you need.
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pe5. wrote:Posted By: Dazza74
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2011 at 7:07pm
| Just warm the epoxy with heat gun when mixing, will go real thin and clear and provides a better mix also. Will thicken again as it cools. |
Posted By: Badfish
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2011 at 7:47pm
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I thin my first sealer coats right down, almost by a third. That lets the epoxy really soak into the thread and get right in deep. It works great, even more so if you use bigger threads. What ever size you use you'll find once you've sealed the thread your next coats will have far fewer bubbles. Obviously you can't go thinning your top coats right down though. ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> 
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