'Sticky' finish flow coat

henryfreston · 07 April 2014, 20:09

put the 3rd coat of flow on my searider console a few days ago. The next day it had a 'sticky' feel to it so I left is a couple more days and it's still the same, any tips?

I put more than enough catalyst in and applied with a roller.

b2j · 07 April 2014, 21:10

Hi, if you put too much catalyst in flow coat it stays sticky. This is because the gel goes off to quick to allow the wax to come to the surface, you should be putting between 1 & 3 % catalyst into the flow coat.

Hope this helps.

henryfreston · 07 April 2014, 22:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2j

Hi, if you put too much catalyst in flow coat it stays sticky. This is because the gel goes off to quick to allow the wax to come to the surface, you should be putting between 1 & 3 % catalyst into the flow coat.

Hope this helps.

thanks, so if i put another coat on with less catalyst then it should work out good

b2j · 08 April 2014, 10:07

Yes that should work, make sure you give the flow coat a good mix before you put the catalyst in as well. This will make sure the wax is mixed into the gel evenly.

henryfreston · 08 April 2014, 10:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2j

Yes that should work, make sure you give the flow coat a good mix before you put the catalyst in as well. This will make sure the wax is mixed into the gel evenly.

ok thanks

also is it ok to wipe down with white spirit to de grease and clean?

A1an · 08 April 2014, 11:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by henryfreston

ok thanks

also is it ok to wipe down with white spirit to de grease and clean?

I wouldn't.

You want something that evaporates quickly like a cellulose or acetone.

henryfreston · 08 April 2014, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by A1an

I wouldn't.

You want something that evaporates quickly like a cellulose or acetone.

sounds like i have been doing a good job then

will get some ordered, cheers.

henryfreston · 08 April 2014, 11:56

just went to go and check it this morning for some measurements and the peacock had decided it was a good place to roost

peacock crap all over me console

GordyP · 08 April 2014, 12:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by henryfreston

just went to go and check it this morning for some measurements and the peacock had decided it was a good place to roost

peacock crap all over me console

Sounds like a good time to find out what Peacock tastes like.......

two stroke mick · 08 April 2014, 12:57

I flow coated my deck last thursday. same problem. I spoke to the supplier of the flow coat. I used 1% mix at a temp of 12 degrees. I feel as does he that this was too low. I was advised at this temp to use 2 - 3 % at these temps. If you used 2% and mixed the stuff well and still have a sticky surface I would leave it a few days to seek if it will come good.

If you applied heat to the surface after flowcoating you may have caused the styrine to evaporate along with the wax additive thus causing your sticky surface due to the lack of wax.

I ended up taking a flap dick to mine and will re flow coat in the next few weeks

TSM

GordyP · 08 April 2014, 13:17

This thread has just got ridiculous, with Henry's peacock and now a 'flap dick'...........

henryfreston · 08 April 2014, 13:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by GordyP

Sounds like a good time to find out what Peacock tastes like.......

all the villagers complain about how loud he is too

good ole' percy.

henryfreston · 08 April 2014, 13:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

I flow coated my deck last thursday. same problem. I spoke to the supplier of the flow coat. I used 1% mix at a temp of 12 degrees. I feel as does he that this was too low. I was advised at this temp to use 2 - 3 % at these temps. If you used 2% and mixed the stuff well and still have a sticky surface I would leave it a few days to seek if it will come good.

If you applied heat to the surface after flowcoating you may have caused the styrine to evaporate along with the wax additive thus causing your sticky surface due to the lack of wax.

I ended up taking a flap dick to mine and will re flow coat in the next few weeks

TSM

Maybe I should wait till it warms up then?

C-NUMB · 08 April 2014, 17:16

I have had issues when using polyester in temperatures less than 14-15 C, really hard to estimate the corrcet amount of cathalyst.

Sticky flow coat issue would try to adress(like others here has mentioned also) by cleaning the surface with acethone, and painting another layer of flow coat in warm enugh conditions(if possible). If in doubt, somethimes use a Black & Decker Thermal Detector to check the surface temp to make sure.

nugent · 08 April 2014, 17:42

Always wipe with acetone. And personally mix at 20ml/20gms per kilo of product. Works for me

nugent · 08 April 2014, 17:51

Worth a cup of tea and a Read

http://www.cfsnet.co.uk/acatalog/Web...glassGuide.pdf

henryfreston · 08 April 2014, 19:03

Boatnomad · 08 April 2014, 19:19

A good warm,dry,calm day will make all the difference on this job.

two stroke mick · 14 April 2014, 20:53

henry f

did the flow coat go off?

tsm

henryfreston · 15 April 2014, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

henry f

did the flow coat go off?

tsm

didn't repaint in the end, with this hot weather I left it out in the sun and it has gone off well and is no longer sticky

took it's time though!