How much finish to mix?

[Bill L]

Finally ready to finish my first rod attempt. I have a 2oz Amtak clear coat kit. How much of the kit should I mix, so as not to waste any? I'm not sure how this stuff goes on. 7' rod w/ 5 guides, tiptop, and short butt wrap

Rigged up a Benny's grill rotissiere kit to use for a drying motor, looks like it will work like a charm. At first I though I just wanted the motor, but the kit comes with a clamp-on stand, rods, and a skewer that works to rig a chuck

[JohnR]

Do you have syringes? I mix 3 CCs of each. Run the bottles under hot wat water, then draw 3 CCs with syringe. If it kicks, just mix some more. Use the dull side of a sheet of tin foil to wrap on....

[Bill L]

No, I only have kids medicine measuring cup, planned to mix it in the cup. Sounds like a teaspoon of each will do, thanks

[JohnR]

Bill - just as long as you try to be as precise on the amounts as possible - good luck!

[Billy 40]

As John R said - "as long as you try to be as precise on the amounts as possible".

If you are off in your mixing, the epoxy will NEVER set up. Actually, depening on how much you mix, it will set up, but it might take a week or so. I know, I'm the cheapest SOB around, I mix up 1CC, 1/2TSP all the time. I use Syringes for Supreme (do NOT use Medical supply syringes as they are coated with Silicone lubricant) and mixing spoons for Classic Coat. I've butchered a few mixtures with both methods, so be presise as possible.

I mix mine up in a shot glass, and I don't worry about putting bubbles. I apply with a brush, which also nintroduces bubbles. My results: Supreme, somehow dries with pretty much "no" bubbles - there are a few, but not enough to see with teh naked eye.With CLassic, I use a Propane torch, and heat up the wraps - the epoxy thins, all the bubbles pop, and teh epoxy is flawless (for the most part)

[Bill L]

Thanks guys. I also plan to do it in the basement, which isn't exactly warm right now -- I will warm the mixes and run the resin under hot water, but the curing will be cool. Is this gonna mess up the curing, or just extend the cure time ?

[Billy 40]

I do my finishing in the basement and can tell you it varies greatly on ust how cold it is down there. I've been applying the epoxy at about 55 degrees now, and after 6-8 hours, I still cannot touch it. Niether the Supreme or Classic.

When it was about 45 degrees down there, it would take even longer than that (I'd say let it turn for at least 10-12 hours), and one time I made a mistake and shut the motor off after 6 hours, and brought the rod upstairs where it's about 70, and it saggied quite a bit.

Lately, I've been letting it turn for at least 8 hours (overnight), making sure it is slightly tacky (not wet where it comes off on your finger, rather you leave a teeny finger print). I'll then let it set up and harden in the warmer temperatures. To be honest, I'm really rolling the dice, but I've done about 40 coats of epoxt in teh past few months, so I've got it down.

[macojoe]

I do 3 cc mix at a time. The more you make the more room for error. But try to be rt on the mark.
I have been using a rotor motor for years now and they work great. I epoxy in the basement with a heater on and go for about 4 to 5 hours. I have enclosed a section of the basement in platsic you no like the boy in the bubble . But if reel cold I do it on the kitchen table ( my wife love this )
Macojoe

[TheSpecialist]

I was told not to be stingy when mixing finish. The less you mix the easier it is to screw up.

[capesams]

8'-9' rod 5cc each....you don't want to stop an have to mix more, you'll only winde up wasteing more.

[Saltheart]

This is a good question and the answere can get complicated. As some have said , you don't want to mix too little or even a slight error in measuring will throw off the mix and it will stay sticky. However , the more you mix , the hotter the mix will get and the quicker it will set up. If you mix a lot , you got to pour it out into a thin layer on foil or it will set up too fast in the cup do to too much heat build up.

I have gone back to using syringes. I used them at first , figured there was no need then went back to using them. I like to use 3 to 5 CC of each. If you are building a lot , get the finish in big bottles and the unit price gets very low. That way you don't have to worry about conserving the finish so much. I'd much rather waste a little finish than have a batch not set up because I was stingy using small batches. If you have to cut off the wraps on even one rod cause the epoxy didn't set up right , that would make up the cost of a years worth of mixing an extra CC or two to avoid the problem.

You got to learn to apply the finish fast.I mean go like hell! The stuff is much easer to get down smooth , thin and evenly when its watery. Once it starts to set up , you can work with it but I think you tend to put too much on at once.