Solvents like denatured alcohol, lacquer thinners and acetone. All of these solvents are easily available and also do a great job in lowering the viscosity. Also, these solvents evaporate quickly and are unlikely to become trapped in your cured epoxy resin.
How do you make epoxy resin thinner?
You have two options if you want to thin epoxy using heat. You can heat the resin and hardener components separately and then mix them together to create a thinned epoxy. Or you can heat the substrate – such as wood – and apply your room temperature resin and hardener mix to the heated surface.
Does alcohol react with epoxy resin?
The effect of benzyl alcohol and phenol on the cure of epoxy resins is reported. … Benzyl alcohol lowers the viscosity, aids cure and plasticizes the final product. Phenol and triethylenetetramine [TETA] significantly enhance the rate of cure and have a catalytic effect.
What can I use to thin epoxy primer?
Mix Thinner 200 with either TotalProtect, Aluminum Barrier Coat, or 2-Part Epoxy Primers to reduce the viscosity. Be sure to mix it slowly and carefully to avoid spillage. Then apply with a brush, roller, or spray.
How can epoxy viscosity be reduced?
The viscosity of epoxy is very sensitive to changes in temperature, and warming the components (resin and hardener) and/or the substrate substantially lowers its viscosity (Figure 3). With wood, the best method of thinning epoxy with heat is to warm the wood and have the resin and hardener at room temperature.
Why is my epoxy so thick?
Temperature
The ideal room temperature for mixing ArtResin epoxy resin is between 75 and 85 degrees F or 24 – 30 degrees C. If it’s colder than that, the resin will be thicker and harder to mix, will have more bubbles and will take longer to cure until it’s dry to the touch.
How can I make my epoxy thicker?
Fillers are used to thicken epoxy for specific applications such as bonding or fairing. After selecting an appropriate filler for your job (see Filler Selection Guide), use it to thicken the epoxy mixture to the desired consistency.
What does spraying epoxy with alcohol do?
Spraying a fine mist of acetone, or another denatured alcohol, over the surface of an epoxy floor coating will pop air bubbles as well as lower the viscosity of the surface and flatten it out. … A fine mist is required for this method to get rid of bubbles.
What alcohol do you use on epoxy?
91%-99% isopropyl alcohol is the best solvent to add to epoxy for thinning and it is available at most drug stores. Usually adding no more than 10% is enough to sufficiently lower the viscosity of the epoxy. Do not use rubbing alcohol.
Can you mix alcohol with resin?
Alcohol is of course flammable, so while ArtResin is non-flammable on its own in its liquid state, this is not the case once alcohol ink is added to the mix. For that reason, a torch should not be used on resin that contains alcohol ink.
What is epoxy primer?
Epoxy primer is a sealer that produces a good surface finish on applied top coats. … Epoxy primers can be used to waterproof materials that consequently protect the bare metal from oxidation. A dry, very clean surface is needed before applying epoxy primer.
Can you spray West System epoxy?
Although it is possible to spray WEST SYSTEM® Epoxy, we strongly recommend against it. Leaving aside the practical difficulties, including equipment expense, the health and safety issues associated with spraying epoxy are enormous. To effectively spray epoxy and obtain a desirable finish, it must be atomized.
Will acetone damage cured epoxy?
Be careful to choose the right solvent for the job. Paint thinners and alcohol can damage that beautiful wood finish — so, instead, use acetone as the solvent. … Gently rub the areas where epoxy needs to be removed with a clean, soft cloth dampened with an epoxy solvent, such as acetone.
What is the best thinner for epoxy resin?
Method #2: Thinning Epoxy Resin Using a Solvent
Solvents like denatured alcohol, lacquer thinners and acetone. All of these solvents are easily available and also do a great job in lowering the viscosity. Also, these solvents evaporate quickly and are unlikely to become trapped in your cured epoxy resin.
What is the solvent for epoxy?
You can use isopropyl alcohol, also known as isopropanol, to remove uncured epoxy resin. Since liquid resin is not yet that hard, removing epoxy with acetone or vinegar also works well.