Mixing epoxy - preferred tools?

[Rodent]

I am starting the process for finishing a fingerboard with System3 MirrorCoat, and was curious what your favoirte mizing tools and wrokflows are.

Do you prefer to mix small quantities in small paper cups, or do you use some other container type?

Do you prefer to use disposable measuring tools, or do you have specific tools that you clean after each use?

Do you have a preferred method for minimizing air bubbles while mixing?

Do you have a method for removing air bubbles in the mixed epoxy prior to applying it to the fingerboard?


Thanks for any and all you care to share

all the best,

R

 

[wilser]

They recently changed the bottles, but in the past they used to come in bottles whose caps were exactly 1:2, so it was easy mixing up the correct amount by using 'capfulls'. I used 'recycled' paper cups from the office (the kind normally used for coffee and tea that's glossy on the inside) and those worked perfect. I mixed small quantities, two caps of each at a time. It was enough to put one coat on the fingerboard and there would be about half remaining ...which I used for a seal or fill coat on the body (I use epoxy as a filler too). Oh, I use lolly pop sticks for mixing ...I got a 1000 count for about a couple of bucks from walmart or something.

The bubbles dissapear when you apply it ...I don't worry about them ...never have.

 

[Rodent]

The bubbles dissapear when you apply it ...I don't worry about them ...never have.

Good to hear this! I was concerned that the directions note to 'mix vigorously' - a big contrast to my other epoxy experience where you mix slow and methodically to avoid the introduction of air bubbles

I like the lolly-pop stick idea, I'll have took for some. I have been thinking of popsicle sticks, but this is even better.

I had also planned to utilize those small paper dispensor cups like they give meds in the hospital (not the kind with ridges on the sides, but the smooth sided kind.) It seemed like this is a good way to 'two pot' mix a batch without too much waste


all the best,

R

 

[Musiclogic]

I use cheap metal measuring spoons...99 cents at Wal mart and wood coffee stirers for mixing and applying. I use small (3 ounce)plastic condiment cups, like you get with take out.
I get the wood stirers and condiment cups at the local foodservice store. Really cheap inthe 1000 and 2500 count packages. I keep a quart of Xylene around to clean the spoons after I am finished using them.

 

[tjclem]

I use the little paper cups like the others and mark with a pencil on the inside of one. Then fill to that line and pour into the other. Then pour back and forth between the 2 cups. I will stir with the back of the brush and wipe it off before I use it. Keep a box of kleenex near by to catch spills and overflow. For those that have never seen air bubbles you must be laying it on VERY thin?

One question. How do you all protect the nut slot? yet have epoxy come all the way up to it?

 

[wilser]

I use the little paper cups like the others and mark with a pencil on the inside of one. Then fill to that line and pour into the other. Then pour back and forth between the 2 cups. I will stir with the back of the brush and wipe it off before I use it. Keep a box of kleenex near by to catch spills and overflow. For those that have never seen air bubbles you must be laying it on VERY thin?

One question. How do you all protect the nut slot? yet have epoxy come all the way up to it?

masking tape. I then use an x-acto knife to remove it when it's time.

 

[tjclem]

Masking tap just up to the edge of the fb then cut away? Got any photos? I hopefuly have done my last for a litle while. I have been telling customers I won't do them..t

 

[#include <MK>]

There's nothing to mixing epoxy, I just use what I have available. There are no special tools in my book for mixing it. I only mix small quantities, so no big deal for me. I happen to have a few small medicinal measuring cups (just enough to cover one coat on a body) that were gathering dust, so I use those to mix in and use any thin clean stick I can find that I've thrown in my scrap pile. The cups are a sort of flexible plastic, not the harder brittle type, so when the epoxy dries in it I can easily pop out the remaining mix and resuse the cup. Air bubbles aren't really a problem, it depends on which epoxy is used as some bubble more than others.

 

[The Penguin]

I use clear plastic drinking cups. You can fill them with water in the amounts you want to use and mark the outside with a felt pen. Then dump the water and dry it out and you have an easy to fill single use measuring cup.

For small amounts I would lay out a few dabs onto a playing card and use another card to mix with. 26 mixes a deck

favoirte mizing tools and wrokflows

Don't forget to open a window

 

[Mark Wilson]

masking tape. I then use an x-acto knife to remove it when it's time.

On a project bass of mine, I taped up the ENTIRE neck except the fingerboard. That way, overflow isn't that big of a deal if I miss a part.