QA

Question: What Are Fish Eyes In Epoxy

Fish eyes are where a coating pulls away from the underlying surface creating ‘holes’ or craters in the topcoat that go down to the bottom coating. They sometimes happen under certain conditions with epoxies. Two part polys (LPU) coatings are especially sensitive to fish eyes.

How do I get rid of fish eyes in epoxy?

Lightly sand the existing epoxy with 120-150 grit. Care should be taken not to cut through the stain. Apply another seal coat of epoxy using an 1/8″ nap foam roller, working to fill in the craters. Allow the epoxy to cure hard, sand entire application flat, and re-coat to finish.

What causes fish eyes in epoxy?

When a coating is applied to a substrate that is contaminated with low surface energy particles such as oil, wax, grease, or silicone, fish eyes may develop in the coating as it is applied. These fish eyes are produced because the coating is unable to wet out the contaminated area.

How do you fix fisheye?

SOLUTION Remove wet paint film with solvent, clean and refinish. Add the recommended fisheye eliminator and respray the affected area. If fisheyes appear in a basecoat, allow the color to flash then spray a mist coat over affected area.

How do you fix dimples in epoxy?

Whether your divots occurred during the pouring process of your countertops, or afterwards due to a soft cure, the solution is always to pour another coat of epoxy. You can pour directly over the previous epoxy pour within 24 hours of the first pour.

How do you fix epoxy mistakes?

An uneven hardening of your epoxy resin can lead to dull, or even tacky spots. To fix an uneven epoxy finish, wait until the epoxy has dried thoroughly, and then sand it lightly with fine-grained wet sandpaper. After this, make sure to wipe down the surface, so it is entirely free of any sanding dust and other debris.

Why is my epoxy not sticking to my cup?

Mixing ratios can greatly affect how your piece will cure. If the mixing ratio is off or not completely mixed properly, this can cause the resin to remain tacky, or have soft spots. To ensure that you have the proper mixing ratios measured in measuring cups, and to ensure that you are mixing by volume.

What causes bubbles in epoxy?

When bubbles appear in a freshly applied epoxy coating, the most common culprit is something called “outgassing”. Outgassing is a site condition that allows air or gas from the concrete substrate to escape in excess and cause blisters, craters, bubbles, or pinholes.

Why is my epoxy repelling?

Bare spots, or voids, happen when something sitting on the surface of your artwork and repels the ArtResin, preventing it from adhering. It could be silicon residue or even something like lotion or natural oils from your hands that transferred onto your piece when you handled it.

How do you stop air bubbles in epoxy?

A small amount of baby powder can work to reduce bubbles in resin. If you are using colored resin, you can even choose a powder that matches the color of the resin you are using. Use a delicate paintbrush to dust in the powder, then tap out any extra before pouring.

How do you prevent fish eyes from spraying?

The best way to avoid fisheyes is to make sure the job is performed properly from the start. The surface should be thoroughly cleaned before the paint job begins.

Does Fish Eye Eliminator work?

Fish eye eliminator (FEE) usually increases the amount of texture (orange peel) in the finish and causes any materials laid on top NOT to bond properly. If a surface is cleaned properly and you have a decent filter on your compressed air you should have no problem with fish eyes.

How do you fix fisheye on polyurethane?

To eliminate fish eyes from an old, already hardened but otherwise satisfactory finish, first wash down the surfaces using a cloth dampened with mineral spirits to get rid of wax and dirt. Then wear down the finish gently with 320 waterproof abrasive paper lubricated with a splash of water.

How do you smooth out epoxy?

Wet sanding with waterproof sandpaper is often the best approach to sanding cured epoxy resin. Wet sanding removes unevenness while you are sanding, reduces clogging of the abrasive paper and drastically reduces the amount of dust emitted into the air.

Do you have to sand between coats of epoxy?

Sanding will not only get out the imperfection but will also serve to provide some tooth between the first and second layers. It will look very scuffed in the short term but do not worry, once you pour the second coat over top, all of those sanding marks will disappear.

Will acetone remove cured epoxy?

Gently rub the areas where epoxy needs to be removed with a clean, soft cloth dampened with an epoxy solvent, such as acetone. Keep the acetone in contact with the area to loosen the epoxy. Use enough acetone to soak into the surface a bit.

Can you pour epoxy over cured epoxy?

Can I put another coat of epoxy over cured epoxy? Yes. Since the epoxy has cured a chemical bond is not possible so what is called a mechanical bond is needed. This simply means that the cured epoxy has to be lightly sanded before the next coat is applied: the first coat should have a matt, almost white, surface.

What dissolves cured epoxy resin?

Method 1: Soak the metal with the epoxy glue on it in a container of rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) or an acetone-based nail polish remover. Unwrap the item and scrape off the loosened epoxy with a scraper. If you notice a bit of a haze is left after cleaning, wipe it away with paint thinner and a rag.

How long does it take for epoxy to dry on a tumbler?

Let The Tumbler Cure: Leaving the motor running, allow the cup to continue turning until the resin is dry to the touch, approximately 18-24 hours later. Remove the tumbler from the cup turner and remove the tape. Allow the cup to continue curing – it will be fully cured at the 72 hour mark.