Finishing epoxy repairs...help?

Chemistry experiments

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

While I teach to avoid doing chemistry experiments on finished furniture there is value in doing experiments on experimental pieces of wood.

I do not see any reason that lacquer will not work as a finish over epoxy of any kind. In other applications epoxy resins are over coated with all sorts of paints and auto body finishes. But, try it to be sure.

I searched the recommended product. I have never seen such a useless MSDS. As best I can tell this stuff is just varnish. The hardener on the other hand is a diisocyanate. These are nasty chemicals in general. Specifically this hardener is not as nasty as some used for this purpose. Avoid exposure.

Re: Finishing epoxy repairs...help?

Dick Coers

Are you saying you didn't ask them what they recommend? Probably the appropriate 2nd question I would think.

You are correct, Sir....

J Barrett Irby Jr

I was so flummoxed at getting through and getting a direct answer without a bunch of qualifiers and various BS, I just said thank you and hung up.

Re: Chemistry experiments

J Barrett Irby Jr

Thanks, Bill...I have been using the excess epoxy to fill in the gaps in coasters. I made a batch of four coasters (2 sets, so actually as a way to consume any left over epoxy and as practice pieces. They are scraps and have little "rivers" in them. I will practice on them. Then if that is successful I will try the bottom of the table.

So, sand, spray and wait for it to harden/dry. If it hardens and does not easily scrap off the epoxy with a fingernail, I'm good to go. ???

Re: Chemistry experiments

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

The way to test adhesion is to scratch a cross hatch in the coating, put tape on the test area and pull the tape off. If the little squares of finish stay stuck the finish is sticking perfectly. Less than perfect can be good enough.

Re: Finishing epoxy repairs...help?

John b

I have a cherry lamp table that has an epoxy creek. Not knowing any better I finished it with rattle can lacquer. I may have sprayed it with rattle can shellac first. It has been several years and it still looks good.

Re: Finishing epoxy repairs...help?

AZ in Colorado Springs

I have used epoxy to fill knot holes in table tops and other areas, then sprayed lacquer over the top. No problems.