JEM Watercraft

So I tried using a foam roller (1/8" nap) to wet out the glass for the panel joints and it created a lot of small bubbles in the epoxy. I got nervous about wether or not they would disipate so I squeegied and went squeege only for the rest.

So would the bubbles have worked themselves out or did I do something wrong and there should not have been any bubbles? I was rolling very slow but same problem. It seem to be that the roller, as it is compressed, is blowing the bubbles in.

Wayne

Did the bubbles form right as you were rolling? I've never had that happen but I have had them happen from out-gassing from coating bare wood for the first time.

jem wrote:Did the bubbles form right as you were rolling? I've never had that happen but I have had them happen from out-gassing from coating bare wood for the first time.

Matt...

As you , I'm thinking the bubbles came from the wood. I use rollers all the time and never have had any bubbles , unless I go really quick with the roller after the glass is wet in. Those vanish as the epoxy cures and I lightly roll it again then they are gone.

The real bubbles come from the wood when saturating it if the day warms up as you go along and it usually does here in Florida. A sanding gets rid of them before the glass goes on.

Chuck.

These were right away, not from out gassing. Maybe I was pressing to hard when rolling?

Wayne

hmmm....

that's all I could think of maybe you getting some extra air in there.

Well I guess I will try less pressure when doing the saturation coat on the hull. Hopefully that is all the problem was...

Wayne

Last night I applied anouther coat of epoxy to the canoe , this is the 4th coat, this morning when I went out to cut and install the seat in the canoe.
It had a million small pin head bubbles , remember this is the 4th coat of epoxy. It sure isn't out gassing from the wood.
I'm sure it was my fault because after I rolled the epoxy on last night , I went back over it with the roller.
Kicking it around in my head , I'm sure the nap on the roller picked the epoxy up as it was curing and formed the bubbles since that has never happen before and I'm using some different rollers with a really short and stiff nap to them.

"O" Well ,after sanding this morning and puttung anouther coat on to correct the mistake , it is laying down like it should. Only puts me one more day behind in getting the canoe done but the extra epoxy will not hurt anything.

Chuck.

So Chuck, what is the nap on the rollers you used that caused the bubbles? (And what are you using now that is working better) What I have right now are 1/16" yellow foam. Ace hardware sells them in the boating section right next to all the epoxy supplies.

Wayne

I'm using the Performance Select (silver series) , 9" Adhesive Applicator for Epoxies and Adhesives , it has a moisture and solven resistant core with a 1/4 inch nap.
I found them at Lowes.

I take one and cut it in half so I have two rollers at 4 1/2 inches ( that size is easier for me to get into tight places. I use it and when done wrap a paper towell around it , pull it off the roller and toss it.

Chuck.

Interesting. I was at my Lowes and found nothing that seemed like it would work well with epoxy. Looks like I have to back tonight and take another gander.