Epoxy.... aaaaaghhhh!

[fourbizz]

all right guys here is the scenario.

I am building large wooden swimbaits. but am having a problem with durability of finish. I'll give the rundown to figure out what the problem is.

When the baits are fully sanded, I epoxy all the screw eyes in place and then coat the bait with a lightly thinned ( denatured) coat of epoxy to seal it. after a full 24hours or more, i wet sand the epoxy with 220. i then clean the bait with water and allow to dry overnight.  i then prime the bait heavily and allow it to cure overnight again. The paint process is fairly simple, only 2 colors and i space the coats out only enough for the paint to flash. i am rattle canning with boyds enamels. After the paint has fully cured, I coat it with 1 coat of thinned epoxy, let it cure overnight, then another, cure, another, cure, then hang the hooks. thats three finish coats of slow cure epoxy, about 3/32" build

now the problem is that the epoxy is almost "flaking" off where the hooks rub, but it only goes as deep as the " wood sealing" coat of epoxy. it doesn't go to the wood. this isn't right. only after 4 or 5 hours of chuckin, the paint is thrashed. the baits don't get waterlogged at all, but they get ugly quick. durabilitly is a primary concern for me with these baits.

help would be GREATLY appreciated. i have a couple of ideas, but don't want to lead the topic, so what do you guys think?

thanks

jay

[Mattlures]

It sounds like the problem is not with the epoxy. As you stated the epoxy ealer coat is good and intact, soooooooo...... lets back track. Is the primer that is over the first epoxy caot still good? If not than the primer is not bonding with the epoxy. If the primer is still good than its the paint. Either its not bonding to the primer or the finished epoxy is not bonding to the paint. My guess is, somehow its the paint. I might also let the bait cure for a week before I realy tried to fish it.

I am not a paint/clearcoat expert soo I do recomend going on to the harbait section of tackleundergrouns and posting your question.

You should have came down to the show with Matt!

[BIG M]

I think you need to scuff the clear coat before adding another layer.  Sounds like you not getting a good bond from 1 layer of coat to the next.

Why are you thinning your top coats?  You could just brush on two coats of epoxy and have the about the same amount of build up.   If you recoat in about six hrs you won't need to scuff the finish to get a good bond.

[Randall]

I have had the same problem when my paint was not completely dry when I applied the clearcoat. It was dry to touch but not all the way dry. Clear coat didn't seem to stick to the paint and my clear coat and paint flaked off. Something in the wet paint must keep the epoxy from sticking. Now I let the paint dry for 24 hours then put on the clear coat and let it cure for a couple of days before fishing. Hard for me to do since after getting the bait done I want to fish it ASAP but I havent had any more flaking issues. I am not an expert at painting or clearcoating but it fixed my issues.

[fourbizz]

thanks everyone! i had expected that it was a surface prep probelem.

big m, i am thinning because it really gives me a smoother, more even finish. but i think that a heavier unthinned coat will be better as well.

so as a quick game plan for a bait i am getting ready to finish.

i applied primer to the sealer coat very heavily, the seal coat was wet sanded with 180 and cleaned with alchohol this time.

good wet coats of paint (4) applied as soon as the paint had flashed.

lightly wet sand paint with 220 and clean with alcohol.

one thick, unthinned coat of slow set epoxy, then another a couple hours later.

few days to fully cure

then i'll report back!

i sure am having fun, and its hard keeping up with all the demand from my buddies! moochin, bastiches! ;)

[fourbizz]

You should have came down to the show with Matt!

yeah dude, i thought about it, but drive 9.5 hours each way to NOT get a 6" hudd?!?!? No fn way!

[BIG M]

fourbizzle and Randall, hit the paint with hairdryer for a few minutes and you can skip the waiting period for the paint to dry.

[HogHooker]

dont use epoxy, use actual clear coat, that they use on cars, i have tons of the stuff cus dad does auto body, or use a hard varnish.