: Hi,
: A few more questions about my epoxy troubles. I put the second coat
: on the inside of my Chesapeake 17, and when it had hardened I
: noticed what looked like little tiny moon craters, about the
: size of BBs, where it seems the epoxy was not adhering.
: Background: the first coat had gone on about a week before (did
: I wait too long?) and it was really uneven with some drips so I
: sanded it trying to smooth it out best I could. Then I removed
: the dust by blowing it out with an aircompressor (with the kayak
: upside down) and then wiping it out with a damp cloth, and
: allowing it to dry overnight before putting on the second epoxy
: coat. I am using MAS slow-hardening non-blushing epoxy. It was
: applied with a foam roller and tipped off with a foam brush.
: So...what caused those little craters?

: Also, what is the secret to a nice smooth coat of epoxy?? Mine
: turned out really uneven, there were some runs, and it just
: looks really ugly.

Hi Mark,
It sounds like oil contamination. It only takes a tiny spot of oil to cause those craters.
I'd go for a vacuum for cleaning rather than air compressor.
I haven't had that problem with epoxy (yet) but did with polyester resin a few times. It turned out to be an oil leak on a hydraulic lift that was culprit. Got rid of the oily stuff with saponin (sp?) and water, and a bit of scrubbing.

People have different methods of getting a smooth coat of epoxy, squeegees, short nap rollers, etc, all work. For drips, a carbide scraper is the business. Easier tidy-up than sanding.

Mike Savage
South West Cork