How To Keep Tools Clean?

Profezzur · Post by **Profezzur** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 11:58 am

After viewing many of the excellent builds in progress and while working on my own, I've come across a problem.

How do I keep my tools (squeegies, plastic spreader knives, paint brushes, etc, etc) from becoming epoxy entombed?

Thanks in advance!

Post by **jem** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 12:02 pm

Couple different things:

Wipe them off while the epoxy that is on them has not cured. Vinegar or acetone help get everything clean. Mount a paper towel holder in your work area. Get a whole bunch of rolls and keep it stocked!

On plastic tools, the epoxy can usually just be pried right off after it cures. Epoxy does not stick to plastic.

Profezzur · Post by **Profezzur** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 12:30 pm

Wow heck of a fast response, thanks!

I knew it wouldn't stick to plastic (my mixing bowls were plastic), but I've gone through a dozen of the plastic putty knives as trying to chip the stuff off usually broke the knife.

Will acetone affect the resin? I'd like to use the acetone to keep the cost of paint brushes down but it isn't going to be worth it if it'll wreck any resin I try to apply with em.

Oldsparkey · Post by **Oldsparkey** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 12:37 pm

Paper towels are your best friend , acetone comes in 2nd and between the two it is a winning combination.

I found that a cheep bristle brush will last for about two uses , the 1st time you use it and then clean it and the 2nd time , after that I toss them.

A sponge brush , forget about cleaning it. Just use and toss.

The squeegees are put in some acetone between mixing batches if I am going to do several in one day or at one time. Then they are wiped off with a paper towel and put back into service.

Chuck.

Kayak Jack · Post by **Kayak Jack** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 1:44 pm

Matt came up with a great idea for measuring and mixing epoxy. Get the clear, plastic, disposable 6oz or 8oz drink glasses. like you make a highball in. Take two of them, one inside the other. Apply "magic" Scotch tape to one side of the outside glass. Cover an area about 2" wide up the side of the glass.

Carefully pour in 1/2 oz of water, set it level and draw a line (very sharply pointed magic marker) and label it. Add another 1/2 oz and mark & label. (To keep from getting too many marks & labels in one area, make two columns of marks up the middle, and label alternately to the left and right of the lines) Make marks at 2 oz, 3 oz, & 4 oz. The material MUST go into the inside cup, and the marks MUST be on the outside cup.

When you use it, NEVER PUT EPOXY IN THE MARKED CUP. Use an insert cup, add epoxy resin and hardener. Then REMOVE the marked cup and go ahead with mixing and use of the epoxy. This way, the calibrated cup can be used over and over.

Post by **jem** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 2:44 pm

viewtopic.php?t=721

Wasn't my original idea. I just illustrated.

hairymick · Post by **hairymick** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 5:46 pm

I just wipe the blade of my squeegee with a clean rag after use. and use cheap bristle brushes and foam rollers that I use once and toss.

I have never bothered trying to clean them with acetone. My brushes cost me 38 cents each and the rollers- around 30cents. i reckon I would use more than they are worth in acetone trying to clean them.

Chuck, speak to me about your use of a foam brush in applying the resin please. I have never tried it.

Oldsparkey · Post by **Oldsparkey** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:18 am

For doing the hard to get to areas the foam brush are nice , it can be pushed into the tight areas and will conform to them.

The brushes do adsorb a lot of epoxy which lets you get it in the crevices. They have a tendency to tear if used with to much force or if the epoxy starts to set and you continue to use them.

If there are some bubbles forming a while after the epoxy is on the boat a dry foam brush is good to float over it to break them , just drag it over the epoxy using the weight of the brush , do not push down on it.

Chuck.

Kayak Jack · Post by **Kayak Jack** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 2:21 pm

Here's another tip for when using the plastic squeegees. Get a waxed paper cup, one about 4"-6" tall. Cut a narrow "V" into the lip, about 3/4" - 1" deep by 1/4" wide at the top. Scrape excess epoxy off the squeegee into the cup.

Avoid drinking the goo. Let it harden and use it as a coaster.

AlohaDan · Post by **AlohaDan** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 7:48 pm

Avoid drinking the goo. Let it harden and use it as a coaster.

Jack No, no, no, no, and no again.

That's custom lure material!!