I am just starting to build my first wooden boat. Woodworking I can handle. Spraying conversion varnish, paint etc, I got, but everything about epoxy just seems a bit confusing.
So here is what I know from reading and more reading.
Everything should be coated in Epoxy.
2-3 coats of epoxy, apply all at the same time so you do not have to sand, wait till tacky and apply next coat.
Sand after final coat, up to 220? Go easy on the sanding.
After sanding clean up with denatured alcohol.
Then apply varnish, 5 coats or more, high gloss first and then finish with gloss of choice?
That seems to be the answer for the plywood areas and most hardwood pieces, but I was wanting to coat the chairs soon and just wondered how to get epoxy in all the holes for the rope etc? Should I just varnish the chairs?
Any help would be great. I will also read anything I can come across so point me in the right direction.
If you think of epoxy as its own thing with its own rules, it’s not that bad. You pretty much nailed it in your post. There’s some variations, just as there are variations in how to paint, do joinery, etc. but for your first boat you don’t have to worry about them. That comes with experience.
One thing to keep in mind, you don’t have to apply all the epoxy coats at once. If it’s more convenient for you there’s absolutely nothing wrong with waiting a day or 2 between coats. You can wait longer if you have to (I’ve waited a couple of years on one project) but if it’s more than 3 days you may need to sand before applying the next coat. Check on your epoxy manufacturer’s website for recommendations. Also, 5 thin coats instead of 2-3 thick ones will provide just as much protection and avoid a lot of sanding to get rid of drips.
Holes for lines can be epoxied with a small brush or a swab made of some cloth wrapped around a stick (not a Q-tip, the cotton leaves threads behind in the hole). Just dip it into the epoxy and swab the hole. Repeat as needed. Or, use the drill-fill-drill method.
Have fun,
Laszlo
If you are using the Mas Epoxy kits like CLC sells, it’s a non-blushing epoxy. Some epoxy systems “blush” or create a film on the surface as they cure, so if you want another coat with a good bond, you have to wash the film off first. I’ve used the Mas included in the CLC kits, never had an issue w/ blush, and I always cured each coat before the next.
I second Robert’s advice.
I also recommend you keep your epoxy layers thin. Epoxy resin bonds well, but the epoxy itself does not add strength. Epoxy is a great adhesive and sealer, but the glass fiber provides the strength.
Relax and do your best. It is a learning experience. No one, absolutely no one, gets it perfect the first time, but we’re usually doing pretty well by the time we finish. Enjoy the journey! CLC makes great kits for excellent designs.