This epoxy problem solver and FAQ is designed to help identify and prevent potential problems associated with using WEST SYSTEM® Epoxy. It answers some of the most common questions about epoxy coating, bonding and curing. If you don’t find the solution to your epoxy problem in this handy Epoxy Problem Solver guide, pleasecontact our technical staff.
THE EPOXY DIDN’T CURE WITHIN THE LISTED CURE TIME
1. Your resin and hardener could be off ratio
Too much or too little hardener will affect the cure time and thoroughness of the cure.
A. Remove the uncured epoxy. Do not apply additional material over non-curing epoxy. SeeClean Up & Removing.
B. Check that you’re using the correct number of pump strokes: Use equal strokes of epoxy resin and hardener. DO NOT add extra hardener for a faster epoxy cure!
C. Check for correct pump (5:1 or 3:1 ratio) and pump group size (Group B epoxy resin and Group B epoxy hardener).
D. Check epoxy pump ratio (see300 Mini Pump Instructions). SeeDispensing &Mixing.
2. The temperature might be too low
A. Allow epoxy extra curing time incool weather.
B. Apply heat to maintain the epoxy’s chemical reaction and speed the cure.
C. Next time, use205 Fast Hardener, designed to cure with epoxy resin at lower temperatures.
D. SeeCold-Temperature Bonding.
3. The resin and hardener weren’t blended thoroughly
A. Remove the uncured epoxy. Do not apply additional material over non-curing epoxy. SeeClean Up & Removing.
B. Mix epoxy resin and hardener together thoroughly to avoid resin-rich and hardener-rich areas. SeeDispensing &Mixing.
C. Only addfillersoradditivesafterepoxy resin and hardener have been thoroughly mixed.
4. Incompatible epoxy products were used
A. Scrape away the uncured epoxy to remove it. Do not apply additional material over non-curing epoxy. SeeClean Up & Removing.
B. Check the compatibility of epoxy resin and hardener. Epoxy resin will not cure properly with other brands of epoxy hardener or with polyester catalysts.
1. Insufficient cure.
See my epoxy hasn’t cured (above)...
2. Resin starved joint: epoxy has wicked into porous surfaces leaving a void at the joint.
Wet out bonding surfaces with a neat epoxy mixturebeforeapplying thickened epoxy. Re-wet very porous surfaces and end grain. SeeBonding & Clamping.
3. Contaminated epoxy bonding surface.
Clean and sand the surface following the procedure in theSurface Preparation. Sand wood surfaces after planing or joining.
Bonding area is too small for the load on the joint.
Increase bonding area by adding epoxy fillets, bonded fasteners or scarf joints. SeeBonding & Clamping.
Too much clamping pressure squeezed epoxy out of the joint.
Use just enough clamping pressure to squeeze a small amount of epoxy from the joint. SeeBonding & Clamping.
WHY DID MY CLEAR EPOXY COATING TURN CLOUDY?
1. Moisture from condensation or very humid conditions reacts with components in uncured epoxy hardener.
A. Apply moderate heat to partially cured epoxy coating to remove moisture and complete cure. SeeOut-Gassingcaution inEpoxy Chemistry.
B. Use207 Special Clear Hardenerfor clear coating applications and for bonding thin veneers where epoxy may bleed through to the surface.
2. Air is entrapped in the epoxy from aggressive roller application.
A. Apply epoxy coating at warmer temperatures–epoxy is thinner at warmer temperatures.
B. Apply epoxy in thin coats.
C. Apply moderate heat to release trapped air from epoxy and complete cure. SeeOut-Gassingcaution inEpoxy Chemistry.
WHAT IS THE WAXY FILM ON MY CURED EPOXY?
It’s called amine blush and it is a normal byproduct of epoxy cure in certain conditions. It’s water-soluble and easily removed.
A. Remove with water. SeeSpecial Preparation—Cured EpoxyinSurface Preparation.
B. Next time, use 207 Special Clear Hardener. 207 is blush-free.
MY OLD EPOXY HARDENER IS RED. CAN I STILL USE IT?
Yes!
Some hardeners will redden in metal containers, especially where moisture is present. The red (or brown or purple) color is a normal condition. It will not affect epoxy handling or cured strength. Avoid using for clear coating or exposed areas where color is not desired.
WHAT CAUSED RUNS OR SAGS IN MY EPOXY COATING?
1. The epoxy was applied too thick.
To prevent this, use800 Roller Coversand roll the epoxy coating out into a thinner film. A thin film will flow out much smoother than a thicker film after it is tipped off with the foam roller brush. You may also prevent runs and sags by warming the epoxy to thin it or applying the coating at a warmer temperature. SeeCold Temperature Bonding for details.
2. The epoxy coating is curing too slowly.
A. Apply the epoxy coating at a warmer temperature.
B. Warm the epoxy resin and hardener before mixing to speed the cure in cool weather.
C. Switch to a faster hardener such as205 Fast Hardenerif possible.
D. SeeControlling Cure TimeunderEpoxy Chemistry.
WHY IS MY EPOXY FAIRING COMPOUND HARD TO SAND?
Your fairing mixture is not thick enough.
A. Add more filler to the epoxy mixture until it reaches a“peanut butter” consistency; the more filler added, the stiffer and easier it will be to sand.
B. Allow the wet-out coat of epoxy to gel before applying the fairing material to vertical surfaces.
C. SeeFairing.
WHY ISN’T THE PAINT OR VARNISH DRYING OVER THE EPOXY?
1. The epoxy hasn’t fully cured.
Allow the final epoxy coat to cure thoroughly. Allow several days if necessary for slow hardeners at cooler temperatures. Apply moderate heat to complete the cure if necessary. SeeControlling Cure TimeunderEpoxy Chemistry.
2. The paint or varnish is incompatible with epoxy.
A. Use a different type of paint or varnish. Some paints and varnishes may be incompatible with some hardeners. If unsure, test for compatibility on a coated piece of scrap material.
B. Use207 Hardener. It is compatible with most paints and varnishes.
3. The cured epoxy surface wasn’t thoroughly prepared.
Remove any amine blush and sand the epoxy surface thoroughly before applying paints or varnishes. SeeFinal Surface Prep.
WHY DID MY EPOXY OVERHEAT AND CURE TOO FAST?
Epoxy cures by exothermic (heat) reaction. Here are some reasons it can overheat:
1. The epoxy batch was too large.
A. Mix smaller batches of epoxy.
B. Transfer the epoxy mixture to a container with more surface area immediately after mixing.
SeeUnderstanding Cure Timeunder Epoxy Chemistry, andDispensing &Mixing.
2. The temperature was too warm for the hardener.
In very warm weather, use206 Slow Hardeneror209 Extra Slow Hardenerwith105 Epoxy Resin.
3. The epoxy was applied too thick.
For thicker epoxy applications such as epoxy casting, build up several thin layers of epoxy.
WHY ARE THERE BUBBLES IN MY EPOXY COATING?
Air Is entrapped trapped in the epoxy coating. Air can easily escapes in the epoxy as the temperature of the epoxied surface rises. This is called outgassing.
A. To prevent outgassing, coat wood with epoxy as the temperature is dropping—after warming the wood with heaters or during the later part of the day.
B. Apply a thinner epoxy coat, allowing air to escape easier.
C. Tip-off the epoxy coating with a roller cover brush to break bubbles. SeeBarrier Coating.
D. SeeOut-Gassingcaution inEpoxy Chemistry or read more aboutbubble-free coatingat Epoxyworks.com.
WHY ARE THERE PINHOLES IN MY CURED EPOXY SURFACE?
Surface tension can cause the epoxy film to pull away and form pinholes before it gels.
To fill pinholes, apply epoxy with an800 Roller Cover, then for the epoxy into pinholes with a stiffplastic spreaderheld at a low angle. Re-coat and tip-off coating after all the pinholes are filled.
MY EPOXY COATING IS FISH-EYEING. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Fish-eyeing happens when the coating surface is contaminated or improperly abraded.
A. Be sure the epoxy mixing equipment is clean. Avoid waxed mixing containers.
B. Be sure thesurface is properly prepared and contaminate-free. Use proper grit sandpaper for the coating, e.g., 80-grit for epoxy. See the paint or varnish manufacturer’s instructions for proper surface preparation. After thesurface is prepared, avoid contamination—fingerprints, exhaust fumes, rags with fabric softener (silicone). Coat within hours of preparation. After wet sanding, rinse water should sheet without beading (beading indicates contamination). Wipe with appropriate solvent and re-rinse until rinse water no longer beads.
MY EPOXY PROBLEM ISN’T ANSWERED HERE. WHO CAN HELP ME?
Our full-time, in-house Technical Staff is here to help.
A. Phone866-937-8797weekdays between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM EST
B. Email us.
