: Every time I mix a tiny batch of epoxy, I have to throw away a flux brush and
: a plastic cup. I bought some good rubber gloves and don't throw them away
: any more. Is this the best way to go? Does anyone have any other methods?
: Do you have ways to clean this equipment? Do you clean brushes of the
: epoxy? Do you make disposable epoxy applicators? Any ideas to make epoxy
: use efficient without throwing so much stuff away?

My 2 cents:

Vinegar kills the action of epoxy, so if you use it, all acid must be out of the brush before you reuse it. I would not use vingar. Alcahol or lacquer thinner clean off epoxy and evaporate away quickly. Much safer to use without jeopordizing the new epoxy.

I use cheap foam brushes (with wood handles). However they tear and leave foam bits behind after the epoxy goes off. It is best to spread the epoxy with a plastic squeege or a thin foam roller and just tip off the epoxy with the foam brush.

For small glue jobs I make foam brushes using a popsicle stick (bought at a kraft store) and a 2 inch piece of foam weather seal folded over the end of the stick. The weather seal is sold in lots much larger than is needed for the seals on the hatches so I have a lot on hand to use in 2 inch pieces. When done I just peel off the weather strip and reuse the stick.

Popsicle sticks are great for stirring and for making small fillets at bulkheads, footbrade attachments, etc. With a quick clip with diagonal cutters to square the end and a little sanding to make a chisel end they are great for cleaning off unwanted wet epoxy smears.

To save the brushes for reuse just put them into a zip lock bag and freeze them. One brush can go for several uses, the new epoxy mix seems to dilute the epoxy in the brush and delay the kick. Freezing also works with varnish to save the bruches between coats without cleaning.

Hope some of this helps.
Dave