> 2. I coated the hatch cover with "Butchers Wax" having heard
> that it works as a mold release. I had to do a lot of prying with a putty
> knife to get the hatch off after 6 hours. It didn't seem that the wax
> helped much. Anyone got a better way to do this? plastic wrap maybe?

I like duct tape. It stays where you put it, and epoxy won't stick to the shiny side. If you apply it carefully with no wrinkles, cutting around edges with a razor knife, it works great. Even on edges.