Sanding Cured Epoxy

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wpeluso
Posts: 16
Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:10 am
Location: Bluffton, South Carolina, USA

Sanding Cured Epoxy

Post by wpeluso »

Can anyone recommend the best type of sandpaper to use for sanding cured epoxy?
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Glen Smith
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Location: Baie-St-Paul, Quebec, Canada

Re: Sanding Cured Epoxy

Post by Glen Smith »

I use Klingspor in 80 and 120 grit. Norton is another popular brand. I also buy some 220 for hand-sanding between varnish coats.
wb9tpg
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Re: Sanding Cured Epoxy

Post by wb9tpg »

I use festool brilliant but I'm a tool snob that HAD more money than brains
wpeluso
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Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:10 am
Location: Bluffton, South Carolina, USA

Re: Sanding Cured Epoxy

Post by wpeluso »

Thanks for the input.
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HighPlainsDrifter
Posts: 77
Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2011 9:30 pm
Location: Brookings, SD USA

Re: Sanding Cured Epoxy

Post by HighPlainsDrifter »

3M Stikit (attachment), Gold Sheet Rolls
80 and 120 grit
Expensive but keeps cutting when other cheap papers give up
fonz
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Re: Sanding Cured Epoxy

Post by fonz »

I hate to dispute Glenn Smith but I feel 80-100 grit sand paper is over kill to sand epoxy for your first coat of varnish. 120 and above will etch the surface to make a mechanical bond for the varnish. If you need a sand paper such as 80 to smooth the surface or remove runs you should consider using a cabinet scraper, Anything below 120 or 150 to smooth your you surface you should be looking at some other method.
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Glen Smith
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Location: Baie-St-Paul, Quebec, Canada

Re: Sanding Cured Epoxy

Post by Glen Smith »

I just follow Ted's method. 80 grit just to cut the gloss of the epoxy and use it on a fairing board if necessary. Then 120 grit to obtain a smoother surface, get rid of the 80 grit scratches and provide good tooth for the varnish. That is the method I use and you can't see any sanding scratches through the varnish. On my first boat I sanded the epoxy up to 400 grit wet and it didn't look any better than the 120 grit dry.
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