I think i mixed my epoxy 4 to 1,but not sure,how can i tell

L

ls60apache

Promoted Users
hello all..i have been back and forth spraying epoxy and 2k for a few days. so I sprayed my bed side with epoxy,waited 48 hours and sprayed part of it with 2k and was going to do a skim coat with filler on the lower section of bedside,but it dawned on me...I think I mixed the epoxy 4 to one.. like 2 k ..im using white and it looks and feel the same as I sprayed it before one to one....so if I mixed it 4 to 1 how will it react? if I start sanding it will it just peel off? that's what im gonna try in a couple days on the section I didn't skim with filler..if it sands off like powder and feathers well I may be ok....I appreciate yalls thoughts and suggestions on what to look for if its mixed wrong
thank you!!
 
If you mixed it 4:1 it probably won't cure and won't be solvent resistant. So if you take some reducer and wipe it, it will keep coming off onto the towel.

This is bad info, see below. Sorry!
 
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ok ill do that....should I wait the seven days to do it? I sprayed it Tuesday eve. thanks for your response Crashtech!
 
well crash I did what you suggested and I must have mixed correctly...I rubbed it pretty hard with reducer on a rag it didn't come off it only soften a tad....this from being sprayed only 4 days ago ..I guess....so I tried same test on a panel I sprayed a year ago and got similar results....so I feel comfortable proceeding with my filler...thank you again!!
 
Well I hope we're right. I think if it's mixed wrong the filler will tend to pull it off the metal also, so see how it goes.
 
When you sand filler in spots you will break through the epoxy.
Try to scrape off with knife or finger nail.
If filler melted the epoxy we have problem.
Even at 4.1 mix after 24 hours reducer wont wipe off.
 
ok.. I did put filler on last night and I sanded some areas with some break thu.....im heading to shop to give it the fingernail test...with fingers crossed....thanks Barry and Crash!
 
well it failed the finger nail test today...I thought I was ok when I tested the break out spot from the night before it didn't come off..but when I did some blocking today on the filler and made a fresh break thru I checked it again and it came off gummy feeling...so the dust flew from the filler coming off...better now than after the final paint was on....cant fix stupid!!...lesson learned I hope....thanks again!
 
I have done testing on 4:1 and 2:1 mixes because it happens so often.
2:1 was done so often because we use to have on label 2:1 VOC, in big print. we did away with that!!!!

Here is bottom line and you have two choices.
If primer or filler was put over the epoxy, it must come off.
If not letting the epoxy set for a month in the shop it will result in a cured state where we can sand and re-coat with the 1:1 mix and carry on.
Other option is 7 full days in sun and then sand with 180 or 320 and re-coat with 1:1 mix.

Don't feel bad as this problem has happened 100's of times over the years and that is why Brian and I did extensive testing, just so we would know what we were talking about.

NOW!!!!
Too make myself clear (so to speak) this curing process does not work with miss activated clears as you will NEVER get full cure.
 
ls60apache said:
well crash I did what you suggested and I must have mixed correctly...I rubbed it pretty hard with reducer on a rag it didn't come off it only soften a tad....this from being sprayed only 4 days ago ..I guess....so I tried same test on a panel I sprayed a year ago and got similar results....so I feel comfortable proceeding with my filler...thank you again!!
Click to expand...

I have a few problems with this test.
First the SPI epoxy is not fully cured for 60 to 90 days.
If mixed perfect the next day lacquer thinner nor fast or medium urethane reducer will not attack it if 70 degrees or higher.
At 4:1 and 2:1 it is still resistant to the solvents to a point the next day.
 
well that's good info on the 4 to 1 mix that I can sand and recoat with 1 to 1 after being in the sun 7 days or a month in the shop..because I sprayed my rear sill with the same mix.... the weather is too cool for epoxy in my shop now...so ill dive back into it in the spring...thanks Barry and Crash for the input!!
 
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