: this. The lesson seems to be to put on two fill coats before sanding.

Hi Steve

The lesson should be to do no sanding at all between fill coats. Just lay on enough coats of epoxy to fill the weave without sanding at all. (do not over fill as this will just add weight).

Final sanding is only to prepare the epoxy surface for varnishing.

Sanding between layers of epoxy serves absolutely no purpose at all unless the epoxy has cured and has to be keyed for a mechanical bond. It will not improve luster as with varnishing.

There, I have saved you some onerous work.

Et