Odd epoxy texture

[Nor'Easter]

Hi guys- new on here but have been lurking for a bit. I finally got to spraying some epoxy primer on some sand blasted frame parts. I did the standard water born WGR wipe down and waited 45 minutes before spraying. I sprayed 10 parts ranging from shackle hangers to cab mounts. All of them turned out great except for this one. On the first coat I noticed an odd texture to the epoxy, almost like a water in oil look. I did two more coats which seemed to lay fine, but the texture remained. It is fully cured now and looks the same.

Any ideas as to what might have caused this? I am certain I didn't contaminate the surface- I carried it with gloves from the blaster to it's hook in the booth, and wore gloves when wiping it down.

 

[strum456]

That is the only thing that I don't like about the epoxy. When I am working on smaller parts and spraying in hard to get areas, I always end up spraying it a little too heavy somewhere. Your picture illustrates what happens when you spray epoxy too heavy. Set the part in the sun so it becomes sandable more quickly. Then sand it with 180 just to smooth out that texture. Make sure your gun is set correctly and go easy on it next time.

 

[Nor'Easter]

That is the only thing that I don't like about the epoxy. When I am working on smaller parts and spraying in hard to get areas, I always end up spraying it a little too heavy somewhere. Your picture illustrates what happens when you spray epoxy too heavy. Set the part in the sun so it becomes sandable more quickly. Then sand it with 180 just to smooth out that texture. Make sure your gun is set correctly and go easy on it next time.

I'll keep that in mind, thanks! Luckily it's not a visible part, so I think I'll leave it. I sprayed some leaf springs today and kept it lighter, didn't have any issues.

 

[Jim C]

yes i totally agree with strum. the epoxy has always done that when it goes on too heavy. if you reduce 20% and put it on lighter with a nice basecoat gun rather than a primer gun it will help a ton. if you spray it like regular primer what you get is exactly like the pic. thin even coats just like you were applying a basecoat or sealer.

 

[peetsjunkie]

ditto.. i have that same thing happen... At least it sands nice when you have to fix it...

 

[Nor'Easter]

yes i totally agree with strum. the epoxy has always done that when it goes on too heavy. if you reduce 20% and put it on lighter with a nice basecoat gun rather than a primer gun it will help a ton. if you spray it like regular primer what you get is exactly like the pic. thin even coats just like you were applying a basecoat or sealer.

I'm definitely fine with going lighter each coat and just doing another to get good coverage...I sprayed that piece with a 1.5 on a finishline 4.