Mixing Rod Epoxy

[Hollis]

I was reading in a magazine about mixing epoxy to get rid of air bubbles and simplify the mixing process. I wondered if this would work:

Put the epoxy in a plastic sandwich bag and let it go into a corner of the bag. Get as much of the air out of the bag as possible by pushing out the air. Picture a paistry thing-a-jiggy. Squish it together until it is mixed. Then cut the corner of the bag off and slowly squeeze it out to where you can apply it. You should have little or no bubbles.

My main question is would the plastic sandwich baggie have some chemical that would cause the epoxy to mess up?

Then again, this may be more trouble than it is worth.

[GonetoSeed]

Hollis - I would be concerned about a contaminant getting into the process. I think if you use a round bottom container like a shot glass, use a folding motion rather than a stirring motion, pour the epoxy out in a thin layer on to a flat piece of foil and let it sit a minute for the bubbles to escape (blowing on it helps), you will be fine.

[Windknot]

Hollis, I think there must be many ways to skin that cat, but this works for me using Flex Cote Lite.

I use their syringes to measure quantities and mix in their cup, using their stirrers (never wood) for two minutes. This supposedly absolves me of introducing unwanted chemicals from regular plastics. I pour the epoxy onto a small sheet of aluminum foil which sits on top of a bread warmer.

This gives any bubbles less fluid to rise thru, and they dissipate rapidly. The warmth makes the mixture more viscous.

Bread warmers are unglazed, flat pieces of pottery that you warm in the oven and put in the bottom of a bread dish. I only warm it to the touch, never get it too warm to handle.
Don

[GUTHOOKED]

The bag could contaminate the epoxy, plus I think it might be hard to get it mixed thoroughly. I believe you'd get alot more bubbles than you expect, also. Of course, I've never tried it, so who knows? Give it a try on a junk blank or something and see how it works.

[Glenn Scott]

I'm a rod builder, so I know a little about this...it's not rocket science...

Simple, tried and true method:

Mix your epoxy in a small plastic cup. If you are doing one rod, you won't be using much mix, so tilt the cup and mix it with a non-porous stick. Don't use wood, like a popsicle stick. A plastic swizzle stick from the bar is fine..no bourbon left on it of course. No matter what you do, there may be a few bubbles...blow into the cup to break up the big ones, or let it sit for a minute...most of the bubbles will burst on their own. When you put your brush into the epoxy...swirl it a little...gently, and press it against the side of the cup to disperse bubbles in the hairs, the re-dip and apply. If you get a few bubbles on your wraps, you can (a) blow on them or (b) use a butane lighter ( very carefully!) to burst the bubbles...just pass the flame quickly under the wrap as you rotate the blank...

Aluminum foil works in lieu of a cup...you don't need to keep it warm unless you yourself are slower than molasses in January at getting the finish applied. Do not try to put it on too thick...light coat, dry, then re-apply second coat.

Do not use a friggin sandwich bag! What a mess and for no value added! What nimrod came up with that idea..must have been watching Martha Stewart frosting a cake! Geez!

Just my hack,

Mad Max
Col, USAF, retired
www.gmaxwellflyrods.com

[Hollis]

Ha ha ha!
I like your mind set Colonal. I figured this wouldn't be a great idea once I sat back and thought about it for a minute. I use the aluminum foil right now and plan on snagging a few swizzle sticks next time the opportunity is there. I'm getting tired of snapping off the ends of my paint brushes!