Problem Solver Guide
Contents
1. curing process Blush formation is typical Remove with water See Special Preparation Cured Epoxy in the User Manual PROBLEM Hardener has turned red after several years storage POSSIBLE CAUSES amp SOLUTIONS Moisture in contact with hardener and metal container Red color is a normal condition It will not affect epoxy handling or cured strength Avoid using for clear coating or exposed areas where color is not desired PROBLEM Runs or sags in coating POSSIBLE CAUSES amp SOLUTIONS Epoxy applied too thick 1 Use 800 Roller Covers and roll the coating out into a thinner film A thin film will flow out much smoother than a thicker film after it is tipped off with the foam roller brush 2 Warm the epoxy to thin it or apply the coating at a warmer temperature See Barrier Coating in the User Manual Coating curing too slowly Apply the coating at a warmer temperature 2 Warm the resin and hardener before mixing to speed the cure in cool weather 3 Switch to a faster hardener if possible See Controlling Cure Time in the User Manual PROBLEM Fairing compound epoxy 407 or 410 mixture sags and is difficult to sand htto www westsystem com webpages userinfo problems index htm 10 9 2007 WEST SYSTEM Problem Solver Guide Page 4 of 6 POSSIBLE CAUSES amp SOLUTIONS Fairing material is not thick enough 1 Add more filler to the mixture until it reaches a peanut butter c2. pump instructions See Dispensing in the User Manual Low temperature epoxy mixtures cure slower at low temperatures 1 Allow extra curing time in cool weather 2 Apply heat to maintain the chemical reaction and sped the cure 3 Use a faster hardener designed to cure at lower temperatures See Understanding Cure Time in the User Manual Insufficient mixing 1 Remove epoxy Do not apply additional material over non curing epoxy See epoxy removal note 2 Mix resin and hardener together thoroughly to avoid resin rich and hardener rich areas 3 Add fillers or additives after resin and hardener have been thoroughly mixed See Mixing in the User Manual Incorrect products htto www westsystem com webpages userinfo problems index htm 10 9 2007 WEST SYSTEM Problem Solver Guide Page 2 of 6 1 Remove epoxy Do not apply additional material over non curing epoxy See epoxy removal note in the user manual 2 Check for proper resin and hardener Resin will not cure properly with other brands of hardener or with polyester catalysts PROBLEM Bond failure POSSIBLE CAUSES amp SOLUTIONS Insufficient cure See above Resin starved joint epoxy has wicked into porous surfaces leaving a void at the joint Wet out bonding surfaces and apply thickened epoxy Re wet very porous surfaces and end grain See Two Step Bonding in the User Manual Contaminated bonding surface Clean and sand th
3. WEST SYSTEM Problem Solver Guide Page 1 of 6 Problem Solver Guide This guide is designed to help identify and prevent potential problems associated with using WEST SYSTEM Epoxy If the solutions described here do not resolve the problem contact the technical staff The epoxy mixture has not cured after the recommended cure time has passed Bond failure Clear coating turned cloudy Waxy film appears on surface of cured epoxy Hardener has turned red after several years storage Runs or sags in coating Fairing compound epoxy 407 or 410 mixture sags and is difficult to sand Paint or varnish will not set up over epoxy Epoxy became very hot and cured too quickly Bubbles formed in coating over porous material bare wood or foam Pinholes appear in epoxy coating over abraded fiberglass or epoxy Fish eyeing in coating PROBLEM The epoxy mixture has not cured after the recommended cure time has passed POSSIBLE CAUSES amp SOLUTIONS Off ratio Too much or too little hardener will affect the cure time and thoroughness of the cure 1 Remove epoxy Do not apply additional material over non curing epoxy See epoxy removal note in User Manual 2 Check correct number of pump strokes Use equal strokes of resin and hardener DO NOT add extra hardener for faster cure 3 Check for correct pump 5 1 or 3 1 ratio and pump group size Group B resin and Group B hardener 4 Check pump ratio See
4. bpages userinfo problems index htm 10 9 2007 WEST SYSTEM Problem Solver Guide Page 5 of 6 Application too thick Apply thick areas of fill in several thin layers PROBLEM Bubbles formed in coating over porous material bare wood or foam POSSIBLE CAUSES amp SOLUTIONS Air trapped in the material escapes through coating out gassing as the material s temperature is rising 1 Coat the wood as its temperature is dropping after warming the wood with heaters or during the later part of the day 2 Apply a thinner coat allowing air to escape easier 3 Tip off the coating with a roller cover brush to break bubbles See Out Gassing caution in the User Manual PROBLEM Pinholes appear in epoxy coating over abraded fiberglass or epoxy POSSIBLE CAUSES amp SOLUTIONS Surface tension causes epoxy film to pull away from pinhole before it gels After applying epoxy with 800 Roller Cover force epoxy into pinholes with a stiff plastic or metal spreader held at a low or nearly flat angle Re coat and tip off coating after all pinholes are filled PROBLEM Fish eyeing in coating POSSIBLE CAUSES amp SOLUTIONS Contamination of the coating or surface or improper abrasion for the coating 1 Be sure mixing equipment is clean Avoid waxed mixing containers 2 Be sure surface is properly prepared Use proper grit sandpaper for the coating e g 80 grit for epoxy See paint or varnish manufacturer s instructions for
5. e surface following the procedure in the User Manual Sand wood surfaces after planing or joining See Surface Preparation in the User Manual Bonding area too small for the load on the joint Increase bonding area by adding fillets bonded fasteners or scarf joints See Bonding Principles in the User Manual Too much clamping pressure squeezed epoxy out of the joint Use just enough clamping pressure to squeeze a small amount of epoxy from the joint See Clamping note in the User Manual PROBLEM Clear coating turned cloudy POSSIBLE CAUSES amp SOLUTIONS Moisture from condensation or very humid conditions reacts with components in uncured hardener 1 Apply moderate heat to partially cured coating to remove moisture and complete cure See Out Gassing caution in User Manual 2 Use 207 Hardener for clear coating applications and for bonding thin veneers where epoxy may bleed through to the surface Entrapped air from aggressive roller application 1 Apply coating at warmer temperature epoxy is thinner at warmer htto www westsystem com webpages userinfo problems index htm 10 9 2007 WEST SYSTEM Problem Solver Guide Page 3 of 6 temperatures 2 Apply epoxy in thin coats 3 Apply moderate heat to release trapped air and complete cure See Out Gassing caution in User Manual PROBLEM Waxy film appears on surface of cured epoxy POSSIBLE CAUSES amp SOLUTIONS Amine blush forms as a result of the
6. onsistency the more filler added the stiffer and easier it will be to sand 2 Allow the wet out coat to gel before applying the fairing material to vertical surfaces See Fairing in the User Manual PROBLEM Paint or varnish will not set up over epoxy POSSIBLE CAUSES amp SOLUTIONS Epoxy not completely cured Allow the final epoxy coat to cure thoroughly Allow several days if necessary for slow hardeners at cooler temperatures Apply moderate heat to complete the cure if necessary See Controlling Cure Time in the User Manual Paint incompatible with epoxy 1 Use a different type of paint Some paints and varnishes may be incompatible with some hardeners If unsure test for compatibility on a coated piece of scrap material 2 Use 207 Hardener It is compatible with most paints and varnishes Epoxy surface not thoroughly prepared Remove the amine blush and sand the surface thoroughly before applying paints or varnishes See Final Surface Preparation in the User Manual PROBLEM Epoxy became very hot and cured too quickly POSSIBLE CAUSES amp SOLUTIONS Batch too large 1 Mix smaller patches 2 Transfer the mixture to a container with more surface area immediately after mixing See Understanding Cure Time and Dispensing and Mixing in the User Manual Temperature too warm for the hardener Use 206 Slow or 209 Extra Slow Hardener in very warm weather htto www westsystem com we
7. proper surface preparation After surface is prepared avoid contamination fingerprints exhaust fumes rags with fabric softener silicone Coat within hours of preparation After wet sanding rinse water should sheet without beading beading indicates contamination Wipe with appropriate solvent and re rinse until rinse water no longer beads Contact the Technical Staff if you have additional questions htto www westsystem com webpages userinfo problems index htm 10 9 2007 WEST SYSTEM Problem Solver Guide Page 6 of 6 Copyright 2000 Gougeon Brothers Inc All rights reserved This page is maintained by Gougeon Brothers Inc Last Modified on Sunday May 06 2001 WEST SYSTEM and EPOXYWORKS are registered trademarks of Gougeon Brothers Inc Bay City Michigan USA htto www westsystem com webpages userinfo problems index htm 10 9 2007
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