: Background: S&G Pygmy. Perfect finish 1.5 years ago (note pride here..lots of
: kind remarks). Lots of scratches developed with use(played in the shallows
: too much). Sanded whole boat with 120 grit open paper to smooth/roughen
: the surface for the new coat. Never did do Varnish coat, but it was
: limited use (15 times? not a lot of sun). Sponge bathed yak with water and
: then a follow-up wash and rinse with water and lint free sheet polish. Let
: dry overnight inside clean garage.

: Took out System3 epoxy and it had chrystalized. Soaked both resin and
: hardener in hot tap water for 1 hour, spinning occasionally (like the
: college beer days). Let cool for about 45mins. Looked good.
: Then rolled onto hull with a brush smoothing follow. Fisheyes with every
: stroke.

: Any ideas what happened and how to avoid repeat?

If you used some kind of sheet polish that's your problem.

The usuaul dirt & grim from paddling will come off with a wet sanding
of 220.

I don't understand What you're doing. You said you had a good finish, varnish?,
And now you're adding epoxy over it to fill the scratches?

99% of the scratches would dissapear with a new coat of varish or two if you like.

If you're going to add epoxy you need to be sure you remove the varnish first.

Back to the fish eyes. You have some wax or oil on the surface. Normally I'd
say don't use solvents because a lot are recycled and have impurites, can you say
more fish eyes.

To remove wax or oil you only need use the much less toxic mineral spirits. Be sure to
buy the grade for thinning paint (red lable) the lower grade (blue lable) is for cleaning
brushes. Just wipe the surface with some mineral spirits on a paper towel. Let dry.
Then scrub the surface with water and a green srcub pad. Dry. Wet sand with 220.
And then dry and coat.

Do a small test patch 8" square.

Whenever you have a problem and try a solution do a test patch.
It takes a little more time in the short run and saves a hell of lot
of time in the long run.

Good Luck!

Rob