Just tried classic coat lite build for the 1st time. Got lots of bubbles with 1st batch after stirring so I threw it away and mixed a new batch. No bubbles in the mix but bubbles on the thread when applying. Mainly tiny bubbles that are hard to see but also a couple larger bubbles that appeared after a few hours on dryer. What do you guys use to eliminate bubbles in this finish? If I do a 2nd coat can I eliminate the bubbles currently in there?

Thanks
JM

they may be coming from trapped air in the thread. Color preserver can prevent this. You can also blow air through a straw onto the epoxy as it sets, if you see bubbles forming. A second coat will not eliminate the bubbles in the first coat.

The best remedy is not to create bubbles in the first place. If you must stir, do so slowly. Very slowly. Better yet, use a mechanical mixer. Then, when applying your epoxy, do not brush it around. Use your brush as you would a spatula - simply an application tool. Stirring and brushing are the main culprits behind bubbles, particularly those tiny micro bubbles.

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Thanks for the help. To my issue right now if I scuff those air bubbles with one of those green scrub pads to smooth out the bubbles, will that work and then add a 2nd coat of lite build?

If you someway open up the bubbles, the second coat will cover them. What I do most of the time is take a very sharp knife or razor blade and slice off the top portion of the bubble. WHen the second coat get applied, it fills in the bubble.

A few weeks ago I tried a few things that are consistent with Tom's statement about a spatula.
First was to cut the curved end off of a popsicle stick and sand the rough edges. Then dip the stick in the finish and hold just above the rod so that the the finish touches the rod and not the stick.
Second thing was using a small, relatively stiff brush that is used to apply flux for soldering. Used it in the same manner as the popsicle stick, then wiped the excess finish off the brush, shaped it so it was wider than a popsicle stick and let it set for 24 hours. Then used the brush again for a second coat as it then "acted" as a spatula and it applied the finish faster than the stick since it was wider.
The popsicle stick and the brush gave excellent results.

Bill Davidor