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Final Surface Preparation

Proper finishing techniques will not only add beauty to your efforts, but will also protect your work from ultraviolet light, which will break down epoxy over time.  The most common methods of finishing are painting or varnishing.  These coating systems protect the epoxy from ultraviolet light and require proper preparation of the surface before application.

Preparation for the final finish is just as important as it is for recoating with epoxy.  The surface must first be clean, dry and sanded.

1. Allow the final epoxy coat to cure thoroughly.

2. Wash the surface with a Scotch-brite^TM pad and water to remove amine blush.  Dry with paper towels.

3. Sand to a smooth finish.  If there are runs or sags, begin sanding with 80-grit paper to remove the highest areas.  Sand until the surface feels and looks fair.  Complete sanding with the appropriate grit for the type of coating to be applied - check coating instructions.  Paint adhesion relies on the mechanical grip of the paint keying into the sanding scratches in the epoxy's surface.  If a high-build or filling primer is to be applied, 80-100 grit is usually sufficient.  120-180 grit may be adequate for primers and high-solids coatings.  Finishing with 220-400 grit paper will result in a high-gloss finish for most paints or varnishes.  Grits finer than this may not provide enough tooth for good adhesion.  Wet sanding is preferred by many people because it reduces sanding dust and it will allow you to skip Step 2.

4. After you are satisfied with the texture and fairness of the surface, rinse the surface with fresh water. Rinse water should sheet evenly without beading or fisheyeing.  If rinse water beads up (a sign of contamination), wipe the area with solvent and dry with a paper towel, then wet sand again until beading is eliminated.

Proceed with your final coating after the surface has dried thoroughly.  To reduce the possibility of contamination, it is a good idea to begin coating within 24 hours of the final sanding.  Follow all of the instructions from the coating system's manufacturer.  A good trick used by professionals, is to make a test panel to evaluate the degree of surface preparation required and the compatibility of the finish system.