I had just put my first skin over a foam grip and coated with West System 105 resin and 207 hardener.
It is zero degrees outside and I work in my basement where the temperature is around 64. I would have to heat my home close to 80 in order to get temps in the 70's in the basement. I decided to work under a heat lamp and noticed that as the temperature began to rise bubbles started to appear in the epoxy. Is this normal or did I get the grip a little to warm? I can understand that there would be air trapped in the skin but I am concerned about the epoxy hardening and trapping bubbles.

Thanks for your help
Jeff Leonard

I can't say since I'm not an expert but I know if you get it too hot the epoxy can boil. Also if you really whipped the epoxy when you mixed it then the heat might have just thinned it to the point where the little bubbles expanded due to the heat and were trying to get out. I mix my grip epoxy slowly just like my wrap finish epoxy and pour it out onto a large piece of aluminium foil. That way most of my bubbles release before I ever start putting the stuff on the grip.

I'm no expert on any of this stuff, just giving you my best guess.

Ken

I was quite careful when mixing the epoxy and had no visible bubbles to begin with, even after applying the epoxy. Only after turning on the heat lamp did the gassing start. My best guess is the temp around the grip is about 80 degrees, not to hot to boil but maybe warm enough to thin allowing trapped air in the fibers to release. What ambient temps do you work in?

Thanks
Jeff Leonard

the foam core has air pockets. are you using andy's method form rodmaker or the heat shrink method? try putting the epoxy on thinner. the best method i have found is to use your finger(tricky for me right now due to an injury) and you want to wipe it on with just enough to wet the fabric. the thinner the epoxy the easier the bubbles can release. i am still experimenting with this and will go over some problems and successes in my seminar at the show. good luck

Thanks John

I am using Andy's method and I guess I did put the epoxy on too heavy. I only wish I could make the show but I am stuck here pushing the white stuff around.

Jeff Leonard

Practice makes perfect, only if you can afford it.

try a very light coat, then sand (800 grit or up) lightly, then another very light coat. if you still have a few bubbles it should only take a few very light coats to get a smooth finish. the sanding will keep it smooth and from building up too much