: I'm getting ready to use the roller to apply the saturation coat. The manual
: recommended a foam roller with 1/8" surface. All I could find was
: 3/8" rollers. I did however find a roller that has a 1/8"
: surface but it isn't foam. It seems to have bristles like a brush. The
: package listed Epoxy as one of the uses for this roller. Do you guys think
: that it will be ok?

: What is the big deal with thin foam rollers anyway?

Thin 1/8" thick foam roller covers generate the least amount of FOAM
or air bubbles. West System makes the best ones I know of and I only use
their roller covers.

I've tried the short bristle roller covers and have been disappointed because
I think they generate more foam than the West covers.

You need to be aware that "over rolling" will generate foam and very fine
foam that will make your resin look cloudy.

Foam is not a problem (with the right roller cover) during precoat of the bare
wood and wet-out of the glass as long as you roll sparingly. The resin is thick so
it will not immediately wet-out wood or glass. Go over the surface once and move
on and you will fine the resin has absorbed into a greater area. Do not work the
resin into the cloth by rolling back and forth in one spot until it's totally saturated
because you will be making foam that may not disappear.

During the bare wood precoat and glass wet-out the material will absorb the resin
breaking any bubbles. The Squeegeeing off of excess resin once the glass is wet-out
will also eliminate any air bubbles or foam.

On fill coats the roller will leave a lot of foam that is very easily removed by "tipping-off",
that is dragging the tip of a dry foam brush over the surface. This tipping-off will also
allow you to smooth any drips or runs you may have missed.

As long as you don't over work the surface with the roller you should be okay.

All the best,

Rob Macks
Laughing Loon CC&K
www.LaughingLoon.com