# Getting the fill coats of epoxy right

**URL:** <https://forum.clcboats.com/t/getting-the-fill-coats-of-epoxy-right/42597>\
**Category:** Builder's Forum\
**Created:** [October 4, 2014, 6:53pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/getting-the-fill-coats-of-epoxy-right/42597 "2014-10-04T18:53:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Gero\_Verheyen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c4cdca/32.png) [@Gero\_Verheyen](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Gero_Verheyen)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 6:53pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/getting-the-fill-coats-of-epoxy-right/42597/1 "2014-10-04T18:53:08Z")

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I've been putting fill coats on my Shearwater 17, and have checked the lighting to make sure I'm getting good coverage. &nbsp;However when I come in a day later, some spots have runs while others feel like I hadn't even gotten to them. &nbsp;How thick should the epoxy ultimately be, and how can I get around this. &nbsp;Would rollers help?

Thanks,

Gero

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**Author:** ![Howard\_Spira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ec9cab/32.png) [@Howard\_Spira](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Howard_Spira)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 10:00pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/getting-the-fill-coats-of-epoxy-right/42597/2 "2014-10-04T22:00:00Z")

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i find that using a roller to apply fill coats helps get a smooth/consistent application.

that said, a roller will leave bubbles so you will need to tip it out.&nbsp; i use a yellow plastic squeegee for this.

how thick?&nbsp; only as thick as the width of the cloth.&nbsp; basically you will sand it to a smooth finish....and when you do that you do not want to be cutting into the cloth.&nbsp; but its not like you need a milimeter on top of the cloth or any particular 'thickness' other than avoiding cutting into the cloth.

fill coats often go on a bit easier if after the first fill coat you take off the high-spots with 100 grit paper.

in the shop tips section of the website....they explain this:&nbsp; [http://www.clcboats.com/shoptips/epoxy\_and\_fiberglass/fiberglass\_weave\_epoxy.html](http://www.clcboats.com/shoptips/epoxy_and_fiberglass/fiberglass_weave_epoxy.html)

i would recommend reading this whole section....it is pretty useful.

&nbsp;

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**Author:** ![Gero\_Verheyen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c4cdca/32.png) [@Gero\_Verheyen](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Gero_Verheyen)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 10:49pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/getting-the-fill-coats-of-epoxy-right/42597/3 "2014-10-04T22:49:13Z")

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Howard,

Thanks for your response and for the link. &nbsp;I went out and sanded the hull with 80 grit, then 120 grit and got rid of pretty much all of the high spots. &nbsp;The end result was an almost uniformly white hull, especially on the sides. &nbsp;I plan to glass the deck and then do the final sanding of the sides and bottom after I've feathered the sides. &nbsp;It looks and feels much better now. &nbsp;

The article was very helpful, especially the part about not really needing a very thick coat of epoxy on the hull. &nbsp;I don't plan to be running it up onto rock and barnacle crusted beaches any time soon...

Gero

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**Author:** ![Bruce\_Crouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@Bruce\_Crouse](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Bruce_Crouse)\
**Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 5:50pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/getting-the-fill-coats-of-epoxy-right/42597/4 "2014-10-15T17:50:48Z")

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&nbsp; &nbsp;Fill coats should be applied with a roller, when trying to build up the epoxy and not have sags use a dry roller behind the roller your using to apply.

Coat about 4-6 ft then get the dry roller and go over it to pick up any excessive epoxy that piled in a hole as the wet roller went over or behind a ridge (the center line of the deck).