This is going to get long - sorry. I like a lot of bling finish on my wood projects. Hence the attempt to use epoxy. I have tried four times on test pieces of wood and not once has the epoxy "gone off". 1st, all attempts were made on aromatic cedar. 2nd, attempt one was done in the winter with shop heated to about 70°. No luck. Went to see retailer with no help. He did tell me they did not use System Three. Called System Three and was told I didn't mix it right or used the wrong ratios. Try # two was done this Spring. Temp around 70°. Epoxy was applied over sanding sealer on the cedar. Didn't work. Attempt #3, same wood over spar varnish. And finally last week over Polyurethane. Same results. I really want to learn how to use epoxy finishes. Wife wants a live edge slab coffee table and I just can not see ruining a beautiful piece of wood with a botched finish. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh, one more thing. The humidity rarely gets below 50% in the Houston area.

Describe
1. The exact products you are using
2. your *exact* measurement and mixing steps.

The product was System Three bar top finish. The epoxy was poured into a clean graduated mixing cup (container) to a level of "2" and hardener added to bring the mixture up to "3" ( ratio of 2:1 by volume). The solution was mixed for about ten minutes with a new wooden paint stirring stick stirring from bottom up and wiping the sides down every few seconds. First attempt I applied the mixture to bare aromatic cedar test piece and the bubbles burst with a heat gun (not a torch). Very careful not to apply excessive heat. Same product and process applied in subsequent attempts except in one case I tried a flood coating. I think I just got a bad batch of epoxy but if so, what do you use and is it reliable? Thanks again.

Not sure what a bling finish is. I know finding professional finishes for a hobbiest isn't easy, but you are playing with lots of different chemistries here. See if a professional finishing supplier will sell to a hobbiest and go from there.

i have used the epoxy from Incredible Solutions. I have only used there deep pour epoxy but they also sell the epoxy for flood coat like you are trying to do. check out there website they have some good info.

good luck...........nicko

Do not blame the epoxy. System Three makes excellent epoxy products. As good or better than any other brand. I’ve used Mirror Coat in the past. It’s better than Envirotech in my opinion.

I have 30 years of experience with epoxy resin in boatbuilding and woodworking.

It pretty much always cures, even if you are off a bit on the ratios. You’ve got to really mess it up.

I believe you are having a chemistry problem. We’ve been aware of the opposite problem for 25 years.

If you built a box and skinned it with epoxy/fiberglass or sealed a sheet of plywood flooring with epoxy as a build coat. It is necessary to allow the epoxy to fully cure for 5-7 days depending on temperature. In the time before that the epoxy is still green and gives off some chemicals(not amine blush).

Oil based paints and oil based varnishes will not cure over green epoxy. They will stay gummy forever. Interestingly, waterbased and shellac products will cure over 2 day old epoxy.

Perhaps it works in the other direction as well.

Also read up on amine blush. It should be removed with water and a scotchbrite. It feels waxy. Some brands produce more or less.