How to test epoxy.

Barry

Paint Fanatic
Staff member
How to test epoxy.
Not uncommon for me to get a tech call from a restoration shop where he has a new helper or painter that has epoxied a car and because they may have three or four of the different colored epoxies on the paint bench he is not sure if it was mixed right or not.
Note the simple test for the SPI epoxy., this only applies to the SPI as there are 100 ways to make epoxy to accomplish certain things.
Duct tape is a useless test on epoxy because of type of adhesion.
Next day with a razor scraper pick a flat surface and try to scrap off in one stroke go to metal and see how much comes off, normal would be 3-6 inches.
Next day go to a new spot and you may scrap off 1 inch or so but do not try where you finished the day before as that will give you a false reading.
Third day pick a new spot and it may gouge to see some metal or just gouge the epoxy.
With this I can tell the guy, the painter mixed it perfect.
If nothing else and may not be needed, just something to put in the knowledge bank.
 
Barry or another knowledgeable person may be able to help me with this. I have some 6 year old SPI white epoxy and universal clear that was never opened. Is there a quick way to tell if it’s still a usable product or should I just mix some up and test as described above?
Thanks
Dave
 
The quick way would be to buy new catalyst. The only other way is to test. That epoxy will take lots of stirring. Turning the can upside down for a while may help.
 
I did shoot a truck bumper last year with some Black that was previously opened and all went well after the exhausting stir I put on it . All products were purchased on the same order so same age. I’m hopeful it’s still good. Thanks for the information. I’ll give it a testing before applying. It’s on a $300 car but I still want to do as best as I can.
Thanks TK
Dave
 
Flip part a; upside down until you want to mix it.
If storing, this should be done every 2 to 3 months to avoided settling of pigments.
 
I did shoot a truck bumper last year with some Black that was previously opened and all went well after the exhausting stir I put on it . All products were purchased on the same order so same age. I’m hopeful it’s still good. Thanks for the information. I’ll give it a testing before applying. It’s on a $300 car but I still want to do as best as I can.
Thanks TK
Dave
Paint that's been sitting... I put the can on the shop floor and roll it around all day with my foot. You'd be surprised. Every time you walk by give it a push. That three hundred dollar car takes about as much of your precious time as a thirty thousand dollar car so yes, you want to do as best as is practicable.
 
Since I have so much prep to do I’ll do as suggested by all. Flip the can when I’m not working , get new activator and continuously roll the can when I’m working in the shop. If I don’t use it up I have wasted good money and a great product on the shelf. No reason to wait another 6 years and throw it out. I love that $300 car and it is awesome practice. With help from this site I did do a fair amount of work on a nephews wreck and it turned out really well for a first timer. It’s 6 year old jnody repair and paint and it still looks great and is holding up perfectly. It helps to follow the INSTRUCTIONS. My nephew and I are doing the same on a C5 wreck he bought. Only concern it the dreaded rocker panel replacement.
This is the best forum- I posed on a truck site a question and 2 weeks later - total silence!
Thanks all !!

“The Rocket”
image.jpg
 
God... That's as generic as a car can get. :D
DA sand that roof all you can and four coats of epoxy. DA sand the rest to bare metal and epoxy. That's a good start, paint the roof between the cantrails black to break up all that real estate.
I just noticed, is it really dented up that bad all the way down the side? :oops:
 
That’s my general plan. I picked up some Milkstone (shine) to use on any deeper pits.
I have better vehicles but love this ol girl. I was not to concerned about her looks but the neighborhood may ban me lol.
yeah that gouge is courteous of some industrial shelfs laying outside the shop door in the blind spot. Housekeeping is not my strong suit.
 
Back
Top