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I've built Rods for years (first one in 1987), but I've had an epoxy issue the last several rods I've never seen before nor can figure out why it's happening.
The best way to describe it is "soft spots." After the epoxy cures, I've come back and noticed tiny dimples in the finish. When I press on them, they become cloudy, almost as if there is un-cured epoxy just below the surface. When I cut them out with a blade, they felt "crystallized." (I included a pic below)
After I first noticed it and it happened more than once, I removed and cleaned surfaces, bought new flex coat, used new syringes, new stirring sticks, and wiped off all tools, thinking there might be silicone on something. I can't think of anything I didn't trade out from previous rods.
Looking at the one I finished after all the above, it's better, but there is still one of these soft spots. One is better than the numerous ones I had before, but it's driving me nuts.
The only possible source of silicone remaining is blue tape, but I have no idea if there's silicone in it and have never had problems using it in the past.
Has anyone seen these things before? If so, what causes them? Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.
The best way to describe it is "soft spots." After the epoxy cures, I've come back and noticed tiny dimples in the finish. When I press on them, they become cloudy, almost as if there is un-cured epoxy just below the surface. When I cut them out with a blade, they felt "crystallized." (I included a pic below)
After I first noticed it and it happened more than once, I removed and cleaned surfaces, bought new flex coat, used new syringes, new stirring sticks, and wiped off all tools, thinking there might be silicone on something. I can't think of anything I didn't trade out from previous rods.
Looking at the one I finished after all the above, it's better, but there is still one of these soft spots. One is better than the numerous ones I had before, but it's driving me nuts.
The only possible source of silicone remaining is blue tape, but I have no idea if there's silicone in it and have never had problems using it in the past.
Has anyone seen these things before? If so, what causes them? Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.