DoubleT Posted January 28, 2018 Report Share Posted January 28, 2018 I am having a terrible time with debris in my topcoat epoxy. Every lure I make seems to have a few bumps in the topcoat. It doesn't look like dust but appears to be possibly dried epoxy. I have been reusing my epoxy brush. I rinse it after every use in acetone and clean it up the best that I can. The bristles are a little stiff when I go to use it again but they loosen up fairly easily. I wonder if that isn't where my problem is coming from. Have any of you guys experienced this. I'm thinking next time when I loosen the bristles that I will rinse it in acetone prior to applying the epoxy in hopes of washing out any debris that may be in the bristles. Any thoughts. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwfflipper Posted January 28, 2018 Report Share Posted January 28, 2018 15 minutes ago, DoubleT said: I am having a terrible time with debris in my topcoat epoxy. Every lure I make seems to have a few bumps in the topcoat. It doesn't look like dust but appears to be possibly dried epoxy. I have been reusing my epoxy brush. I rinse it after every use in acetone and clean it up the best that I can. The bristles are a little stiff when I go to use it again but they loosen up fairly easily. I wonder if that isn't where my problem is coming from. Have any of you guys experienced this. I'm thinking next time when I loosen the bristles that I will rinse it in acetone prior to applying the epoxy in hopes of washing out any debris that may be in the bristles. Any thoughts. Thanks Me personally I wouldn't reuse the brush. You are probably getting old resin in your topcoat from not a complete cleaning of the brush. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted January 28, 2018 Report Share Posted January 28, 2018 (edited) I always wet the brush in solvent and stroke it against a clean cloth before using it and I clean it vigorously after use, bending the bristles in multiple directions while submerged in the solvent and then stroking it dry on a cloth. Takes less than a minute and makes the brush last years instead of months. I prefer the fine bristles of an artist’s brush instead of the coarser bristles of flux or cheap throwaway brushes, so good cleaning is a must. Edited January 28, 2018 by BobP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodieb8 Posted January 28, 2018 Report Share Posted January 28, 2018 we use flux brushes. they get trashed after 1 use. at 5 for 1.00 its worth less aggravation. to eliminate hairs we put 5 minute epoxy where the bristles enter the handle. that secures loose hairs.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Young Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 I reuse my brushes all the time, and have no problem with hardening or debris. I use denatured alcohol for cleanup as the vapors are less harmful. 1)Use a blunt, straight object to squeegee remaining epoxy from the brush. 2) Place a small amount (1/8") of DNA in the bottom of a mixing cup. 3) Alternate working the brush in the cup and drying with a paper towel. 4) When brush is clean, replace the DNA with fresh. Use just enough to saturate the brush. 5) Work the brush, then wrap bristles with a small section of paper towel. Leave it on till the brush is needed again. This draws out the remaining epoxy and DNA. The paper towel will harden instead of your brush. If the brush has hardened - it is too late for that brush. Breaking the bristles will soften them. But it also breaks up the epoxy coating the bristles. Hence the lumpy finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleT Posted January 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 3 hours ago, Chuck Young said: I use denatured alcohol for cleanup as the vapors are less harmful Thanks for all of the info so far. Does denatured alcohol remove epoxy from the brush any better than acetone? I like the idea of less harmful fumes. I tried using cheap chip brushes and would throw them away after each use but it about drove me nuts with all of the loose hairs getting into the epoxy. I would try to remove them prior to use but it was still a hassle. I'm using a 1.5" wide fine bristle brush that I got from the hardware store. I clean it in three different jars of acetone. This the method I have been using. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 I use lacquer thinner in a single jar and reuse it until I see debris floating in the solvent. I clean the brush initially on a paper towel but then switch to a lint free cloth because paper towels can shed fibers onto a sticky brush. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 I use two jars of acetone, clean and dirty, and then blow dry the brush with my compressor and air nozzle. I do it once in each jar, dirty to clean, and the brush is clean and dry when I'm done. I think the compressed air helps remove any particles that might might be trapped in the bristles. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleT Posted January 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 I will try using the air compressor between the cleanings and see how that does. Sounds like it should help. After the brush dries the way I am doing it now the bristles are a little stiff but free up easily. I am afraid that is where my trouble is coming from though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 Acetone is a very volatile solvent compared to lacquer thinner or denatured alcohol, so you really have to get after agitating the brush and spreading out the bristles in the solvent. The acetone will evaporate quickly and leave behind any epoxy that isn’t removed while submerged. I don't use acetone because I can’t store it for long in any jar or container except the can it comes in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleT Posted January 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 Good info. Thanks Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazmail Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 DoubleT--I think you will find Denatured alcohol has about 5% water in it, water is a big no no with epoxy ----straight 100% alcohol works pretty good though. Pete 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleT Posted January 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 Thanks hazmail. I have some lacquer thinner at the house that I plan to try since I already have it on hand. If I'm not happy with the results I will give the alcohol a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravenlures Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 I bought a bunch of 1" brushes on ebay and before I use them I super glue them close to the metal of the brush , no loose hairs that way, then throw them away after use. If you want to clean them use alcohol it works better. Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravenlures Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 After looking at the video I think it is cheaper to throw away the brush. Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Young Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 Maybe it is a cheapskate thing. I still wear a pair of Jack Benny shoes with the safe built into the sole. So my 15 cents is always secure. So sad that Jack died at the age of 39. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglinarcher Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 7 hours ago, DoubleT said: Thanks hazmail. I have some lacquer thinner at the house that I plan to try since I already have it on hand. If I'm not happy with the results I will give the alcohol a try. Remember that Epoxy is considered a solvent for epoxy, it thins and removes it. 100%, not the thinned down versions using water. The other solvents will all work, but they work by breaking down the chemical bonds of the epoxy to remove it, while epoxy separates the molecules into free floating particles in solution. I am not sure that this will help you figure things out, but maybe. I am not saying one way is better then the other, but like was mentioned above, I use cheep flux brushes I got at Harbor Freight, use a little supper glue at the base of the bristles to hold them in the metal base, then toss it when I am done. If I get a bad batch, I squeeze the metal base first with a pair of pliers to clamp the bristles better. I do a package of several I get at once and that way I don't need to worry about it when I use the epoxy and lure turner. I seldom get any debris or hairs when I do it this way, but I have migrated to other clear coat methods for most of my lures. I hope you get it figured out. Even if you do everything perfectly, if the environment you are in is dusty or has debris in the air, you will get the stuff on your epoxy lure as it cures. That is one of the problems with slow cure epoxies, it is a dust trap for several hours before it is tack free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleT Posted January 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 56 minutes ago, Anglinarcher said: Remember that Epoxy is considered a solvent for epoxy, it thins and removes it. 100%, not the thinned down versions using water. I'm guessing you meant alcohol. If not, now I'm really confused. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 On 1/29/2018 at 6:15 PM, BobP said: Acetone is a very volatile solvent compared to lacquer thinner or denatured alcohol, so you really have to get after agitating the brush and spreading out the bristles in the solvent. The acetone will evaporate quickly and leave behind any epoxy that isn’t removed while submerged. I don't use acetone because I can’t store it for long in any jar or container except the can it comes in. Try Clausen dill pickle jars. They have a gasketed lid that holds up to acetone fumes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
