This is a recent rod I epoxied and just noticed this.

What did I do wrong? I know it was me as I doubt the Flexcoat hibuild is what failed!

[images.benandmichelle.net]

I did a bit of a search, I suspect it was that I use methylated spirits to clean the syringes and they weren't fully dry, causing outgassing during the cure.

Anything else?

Ben

I think you nailed it! That looks like contamination to me. There is really no need to clean syringes. I've been using the same pair for several years and they have never been cleaned.

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Fish Eyes galore !!! Contamination from your syringes or from another source such as silicone or oil. I have never used syringes, but have used metal measuring spoons or the plastic graduated mixing cups and have never had that problem. I don't think you are supposed to clean the syringes.

Mike Barkley Wrote:
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>There is really no need to
> clean syringes.

So just leave the single epoxy parts in them and store? How should I store?

Ben

You pump the syringes after you're done to push out the last of the materials, and then as Flex Coat suggests, pull the plungers back about halfway and let them dry. We always wipe off the outside.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

Poke a hole in the cap or use the yorkers. Make the hole just snug enough to hold the syringes and thats where they stay. That little sticker on the syringes that tells you which is used in what bottle will come off eventually. Mark them somehow so you never end up using the oposite syringes and screw up the mixture.

Poke a hole in the cap or use the yorkers. Make the hole just snug enough to hold the syringes and thats where they stay. That little sticker on the syringes that tells you which is used in what bottle will come off eventually. Mark them somehow so you never end up using the oposite syringes and screw up the mixture.

Ben,

I followed Mike's advice from a previous similar thread and I have used my syringes for about 20-25 epoxy activities. Al lI do is wipe the outside clean and draw them back about half way and keep them in separate plastic containers with a lid. The are perfect for use every time.

I reckon the they will last a few years at least!!

The suggestions you received are all great. One question. Where did you get your syringes? I hope they are from Flex Coat an not a medical syringe. Medical syringes us a silicon for a lubricant. Silicon well cause fish eyes every time. I am a Diabetic years ago I tried to save money and use some of my syringes, guess what my finish looked like yours full of fish eyes. I keep all waxes and aerosol spray cans out of my rod room. Even odor sprays are a no no. Awhile back some rod builder stated his wife thought she would help clean up his room and polished everything using a spay wax. You guessed it he had to wash down his tools, lath, the walls of the shop and throw out about a 100 bucks worth of thread. With Gudbrode cutting back on thread sizes and colors. I am sure some of those threads would have been none replaceable today
Good Wraps Bob

I drill a hole in each cap just big enough to tightly fit a syringe tip into. Invert the bottles and draw out the amount of finish you want and squirt into a mixing cup. Stick the syringe back into the cap and draw back an inch or so and place on a shelf until next time. When the bottles run dry take the caps/syringes off and place on new bottle. Never have to clean the syringes and you can't mix them up or lose them. I've been using the same syringes/caps for at least a couple years. Quick, easy, no mess, no fuss and consistant, bo brainer measurements every time

One tip, though. Use the syringes that do NOT have the little black rubber on the end of the plunger. They can dry out, compress, get stuck or come loose.


Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Looks like dirt or dust to me.

If you use a magnifing gpass you should beable to tell if it is dust, wateror trapped air
Good Wraps Bob

If it's a contamination, it will be fish eyes. If it's from solvent, it is called solvent pop. Usually caused by a slow solvent that will not out gass before the epoxy begins to cure. If it happened fairly quickly after you applied the finish it's contamination. If it happend hours into the cure, it's solvent pop.

Bob Balcombe Wrote:
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> Where did you get your syringes?
> Good Wraps Bob

Yeah they are the Flexcoat ones.

At this point I'll add some further information. Previously I had stored the syringes in a jar of alcohol (as that is what I used to clean them and didn't realise it could cause such problems). I guess that I didn't sufficiently dry them prior to using in this instance. They are now stored as per the suggestions above.

If i give a light recoat, all will be well again anyway!