If you mix the epoxy and get a lot of bubbles is it possible to draw the bubbles out with vaccuum? I think i saw that somewhere probably in epoxy casting literature. You would have to get a science class glass jar with an attachment for a rubber hose and hook it to your flowing sink. of course you would need the sink adapter and the (whatever you call it) jar or a vacuum pump. But you should be able to draw out the bubbles prior to application.

Tom

: The first issue is to identify what's causing the bubbles.

: 1) The most common problem is bubbles whipped into viscous epoxy (System
: Three is certainly viscous). The solution is to pre-warm both the hardener
: and resin and mix them carefully together (don't heat the epoxy after
: mixing because you are robbing yourself of precious work time (pot life)).
: The alternative is to use less viscous epoxy. The bubbles are trapped (as
: in cold honey) and may not have the time to get to the surface or pop
: before the epoxy thickens even further.

: 2) First pre-heat the wood with a hair dryer or increase the temperature in
: your shop. Turn heat down, wait 5-10 min and start applying epoxy. The
: cooling air in the wood will suck the resin into the pores rather than
: outgassing. If your shop is constant temp, this is not the cause. Also,
: this happens mostly when you seal the second side of the panel as opposed
: to the first coat on fresh unsealed plywood. The air is trapped and there
: is a higher chance for bubble formation.

: 3) Do yourself a favor and get rid off all the 'brushes' especially the foam
: types. Foam rollers and brushes are GUARANTEED to introduce froth into
: epoxy as you apply it over 'hairy and rough' wood grain. Use only plastic
: squeegee!

: 4) John has a good idea with the alcohol sprayed on the surface. Both alcohol
: and carbon dioxide (in a torch) reduce the surface tension of the epoxy
: allowing the small bubbles to escape. Heating the epoxy after application
: is however going to cause outgassing.

: My suspicion (without knowing more details) is that your shop may be a bit
: too cold and the epoxy too viscous.

: Vaclav