89 Fishmaster Restoration - transom epoxy timing question.

[rcatskills]

I have the epoxy form US composites and I'm ready to seal the new plywood transom and floor panels. What's the timing considerations for applying the second and third coats without having to sand between coats. Whats the best application mechanisim roller or brush?

 

[bakerjw]

Re: 89 Fishmaster Restoration - transom epoxy timing question.

IIRC, you have a 12 hour window between recoats where you don't have to sand. It might vary from brand to brand though. US Composites should be able to answer that for you.

Application varies. Some use brushes while other squeegees or foam rollers. I tried some 1/4" nap rollers and the epoxy wanted to turn milky on me. I'm not sure exactly why, but I was concerned about contaminants and scrapped that idea. I now use a drywall trowel on large surfaces.

They clean up very easily and you can skim the epoxy around very easily and then brush as needed. When I finally installed the transom on my boat, I made up a mixture of hairy PB and skimmed half of it on the transom and the transom part of the hull. The hull had some irregularities and the trowel allowed me to move hairy PB to fill those areas well. Once squeezed together, it was rock solid.

 

[Streetgang]

Re: 89 Fishmaster Restoration - transom epoxy timing question.

I am sure others will offer their experience but mine is as follows:

I used the very thin disposable polyurethane foam covers to apply. I cut the 7' long in half and found they hold good amount of epoxy.

Depending on temp, I found about 10 top 15 minutes after application it would turn "tacky" and that was signal to apply second coat...same applied for third coat. Each time coated edges.

Did you get the pumps ?

Good luck

 

[lokonn]

Re: 89 Fishmaster Restoration - transom epoxy timing question.

From a paint application stand point, brush is best, roller is second and spray is third. I would guess trowel would be somewhere around roller. When you brush you are working the product into the material. I used disposable chip brushes with my transom and epoxy, I know a lot of people have used various means to apply. Brushing is what I was comfortable with. There may be reasons out there to do otherwise.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 89 Fishmaster Restoration - transom epoxy timing question.

From a paint application stand point, brush is best, roller is second and spray is third. I would guess trowel would be somewhere around roller. When you brush you are working the product into the material. I used disposable chip brushes with my transom and epoxy, I know a lot of people have used various means to apply. Brushing is what I was comfortable with. There may be reasons out there to do otherwise.

I used a screed/squeegee to spread for speed and then back brushed to even everything out and make sure everything was covered.

I personally am not a fan of heavy/multiple coats quickly with epoxy or paint, this can cause curing and durability problems. I let all of my epoxy set and cure (about 12 hrs.) between coats and sanded between coats.

Sanding was easy with 120 grit, and cleaning up the sand dust on the peices was easy with just a damp clean rag. I just sanded enough to knock the shine off and to give the next coat something to grip. All of my pieces turned out really nice with a very durable finish:

 

[rcatskills]

Re: 89 Fishmaster Restoration - transom epoxy timing question.

Thanks for all the info guys..... Tried the spackle trowel and I like it , just using a brush for edges and touch up of high spots.