Thunderbird epoxy

[mzombek]

Can't figure this on out. I sprayed my longbow yesterday using Thunderbird epoxy. I used a standard gravity flow spray gun set at 25psi. I checked the bow this morning after drying all night, and found that the only area that did not dry was the handle.I thought that I did a good job of coating evenly. I used the same Thunderbird as a sealer on the grip to seal wood.
What have I done wrong?
Thanks,
Z

[Onehair]

That's odd, mine dries in an hour. I think you mike the 2 parts equal. Allow to set for a half hour and then add the thinner. You can give Big Jim a call. He is the expert

[Bowjunkie]

Did you mix adequately?

How old is the finish?

[mzombek]

I bought the epoxy at ETAR and mixed as the instructions said.
It had started to get less tacky last night.
Maybe in a couple of days it will harden up.

[Bowjunkie]

It should be dry to the touch in hours. If it takes days, something is wrong.

You didn't degrease the tacky area with a solvent just prior to spraying did you?

The reason I asked about mixing in my previous post is, if the two parts aren't blended and mixed thoroughly, it may not harden. Additionally, you should check to see if each part should be mixed adequately in its own container before any is removed to be combined. There can be settling in the cans.

[Bivyhunter]

If the temperatures are low or humidity is high with low temps, I've found it takes longer to dry.

[JamesV]

I don't use thunder bird but the spray finish I do us will take a very long time to dry if it is hot and humid. Mine usually dried to the touch in an hour or so but I had one bow that took a day and a half. Give it some time and see how it turns out.

[TX FLY CASTER]

What type of wood is the riser?

[BigJim]

I can vaguely remember an issue or two with drying time back before I had a conditioned shop, and it was likely caused by the humidity. We stay near 100 percent humidity outside here most of the year.

Now, in my 28-34 percent humidity shop, I never have an issue with any wood and I use them all (over 60 species on hand all the time).

You can try to put it in a warmer/dryer enviroment, but be careful. If there is excessive moisture in the wood in question, this may cause issues structurally.

Can't say as I ever mixed the epoxy without adequate time sweating in (min. 30 minutes before adding thinner) or un-even amounts of A vs. B or vice versa so I don't know what this would do. If you can eliminate this as a possibility too...we may have a mystery.
BigJim

[Bow man]

Originally posted by mzombek:
I bought the epoxy at ETAR and mixed as the instructions said.
It had started to get less tacky last night.
Maybe in a couple of days it will harden up.

All the things mentioned can cause the issue. Humidity this time of the year can be a problem. Or you were a little short on the Hardner part.  Did you use an equal part of the thinner as well?

If you have any questions give us a call we will help you figure it out.  517-617-3658