are some brands of epoxy thinner than others? i used mesh drywall tape to shim out my reel seat and used pac bay epoxy i was nervous when i mixed it i thought it wouldnt flow down into tape but i used a hair dryer and warmed the seat and got the job done just wondering if theres something better.

I use rod bond.

Most epoxy is thick and if you heat it before applying it will thin out. You can use acetone but it could be rather tricky. I simply warm up the bottles in hot water which rises the temp of the stuff , mix and apply.
FishHawk

I do the same for both the "glue" and the rod finish, just fill a bowl with hot water and put the bottles in it while I get everything else ready, works great and you hardly get any air bubbles.

I used Rod Bond U40 this weekend. Very easy to work with. Thick like vasiline. I use masking tape for the reel seat so thick works for me.