So I followed the mixing instructions on the box for the lite build flexcoat, and mixed thoroughly...put a saturating coat on the wraps...used a brush to remove the excess after coating all wraps...the rod is a split grip there are winding checks that I wrapped against each grip...and those were the two wraps I started coating...those two wraps are tacky to the touch...the wraps and logo sticker that I coated have set completely, as have a few of the butt guides...the tip top is also set normally...but the guides between the butt guides and the tip are tacky to the touch...

Has anyone experienced this before? Will an extremely thin layer of lite build painted on help to make it set? Or just make it worse?

Thanks,
Ken

Mix up another batch and re coat you will be fine

I'm assuming that you applied your epoxy directly from the mixing cup? If so, I can explain what you've experienced.

.............

Tom, please do...for everyone's benefit.

when you first start mixing sometimes you get a little bit of part A or B coated onto the side of the cup and it doesn't get mixed in thoroughly. when you load up your brush in different areas, its possible to pick up some excess of the un-mixed parts and that will throw your mix-ratio out of whack.

i mix with a cup but use my spatula - i mix very slowly and thoroughly and make sure to scrape the edges of the cup frequently to ensure this doesn't happen.

Regards,
-Justin

Sounds like you mix it but just not long enough to get a complete mix and got some slightly off mix from the sides of the cup.

I always tilt my cups as I mix to make sure the finish is mixed on the sides, and also turn as I mix.

It may still dry just take a little longer ???

Bill - willierods.com

I dont ever scrape the sides of the cup OR apply from it. Both = bubbles and troubles for me.

Put the 2 parts in the cup

Mix extremely well: (Stir 100 strokes right, 100 strokes left, 25 right again, 25 left again is my method)

Place a 4" X 4" aluminum foil (Reynolds wrap or the like) square on the table

Pour mixed finish onto foil

Apply from foil

Works every time

edit: mixing tool is a flat stainless steel spatula

DR



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/28/2010 03:12PM by Duane Richards (DR).

I got some of these at the show and love them. [www.mudhole.com]
They make mixing epoxy much easier since the bottom is nice and smooth and you re mixing a wide thin mix the creation of bubbles is drastically reduced, and those that do appear have an easier time dissipating. Being made from aluminum the dish acts like a heat sink just like pouring it on foil

Justin hit the nail on the head. Any time you have some guide wraps where the finish hardens properly, and others where it doesn't, you almost certainly picked up some epoxy from the side of the mixing cup that wasn't thoroughly blended.

.............

Never did that aluminum foil thing and never had any that did not dry Lucky I guess Or good.

Bill - willierods.com

Im with bill, always applied right out of the cup and never had any issues. I use an automatic mixer though.

Ken,
I agree with the analysis, i.e. picking up unmixed epoxy.
When finishing I do the following.
1. I use syringes to insure that I have a 1:1 mix of parts A and B by volume.
2. I mix in a plastic cup, using a craft stick with a flat end.
3. I frequently scrape the sides, mix, scrape off the craft stick and continue to mix.
4. I mix for a minimum of 120 seconds of 2 minutes by the clock.

No issues ever.

Take care
Roger

Thanks for all the advice and info!

So will a new, extremely thin coat of lite build solve the tackiness issue, or will I just need to rewrap?

Thanks,
Ken

Yes Just watch how it is mixed

Bill - willierods.com