Help: Epoxy coating feels "sticky"

[wtf123]

I was doing a cotton wrap for a tonto, and I coated the wrap in epoxy, the first and second coat went on fine, but for some reason the last coat feels sticky.. it's been abour 24 hours since I put it on...... any idea on what went wrong.. the mix (of the two parts) was the same as usual..

 

[Sando]

2 things come to mind:

1. The mix wasn't EXACTLY 50/50
2. Your house is too cold

I don't know what to do about the first one. But for the second preheat your oven to about 125 degrees. Turn it off and place the knife in there. Leave it for a few hours.

I do that all the time, actually. Just to make sure the chemical reaction in the epoxy is off to a good start.

Steve

 

[wtf123]

I think the coldness as a problem.. I moved the knife upstairs ..

as for the condition it's in now.. , is there any way to fix it without having to add another coat..

can I give it a light coating with the "hardener" or other ??

 

[Sando]

Don't add hardener! or anything or touch with solvents etc!

If it was too cold, just warming it up for a few hours will do the trick. No harm done. The label should give a minimum temperature. Probably about 75 degrees. They aren't kidding. The chemicals just won't show an interest in doing anything if they don't feel all warm and cozy like.

If that doesn't do it....I'm lost.

Steve

 

[Belstain]

You might have got a bad batch of epoxy. That stuff has a shelf life and once it gets too old it doesn't work.

 

[wtf123]

Well the same stuff was used for the bottom coats, so I don't thinks it's the batch.. now that the "cold" was mentioned.. it has been colder the past two days, and I had the knife in the basement shop (which is colder, then the rest of the house...)

I've got it upstatirs now.. so I guess I'll know by morning..