First, what I did/used. Epoxy is 3 months old. I calibrated both pumps to verify a 2:1 pump ratio. The hull was sealed with West epoxy. Heat soaked the shop at 80 degrees for 6 hrs. West epoxy with 206 slow hardener heated to 80 degrees. Poured immediately into a heated, flat pan and applied with West foam rollers.
These questions are based on what I have read here and the results I "expected" to get.
First: I read that epoxy needs to be warm and as thin as water to get a good application and wet-out.
Actuality; the epoxy was thick, like maple syrup, from the very beginning. I could see the epoxy being "stretched" between the wood and roller, very difficult to keep the glass in place. After two filler coats I cannot see the glass so the wet out seems fine but I am stuck with a very textured surface as the epoxy did not seem to flow out very well. Sanding will eliminate this I hope but I may need another filler coat and would like to eliminate the "textured" look.
Second: Apply any reinforcement cloth when the base is no longer tacky and can still be dented with a fingernail. The time frames I have read here are anywhere from 4 to 12 hrs.
Actuality; My 6 oz. cloth was dry and difficult to make a fingernail print in less than 2 1/2 hrs. so I added the 4 oz. cloth over the football area. This makes me very nervous about using the "fast" hardener for fill coats.
The good news is I got a good wet-out as the cloth is gone and I had zero runs, drips or sags which I am sure is due to the thick mixture.
The bad news is, I am sure I have added extra epoxy weight to the boat, created a sanding job for myself and made myself nervous about using "fast" hardener.
So, please tell me what I coulda/shoulda done??
Thank you in advance,
Randy