Strange epoxy wetout

[rwatson]

Thats some good thoughts Pepper. Whats "kicking" mean though?

[the1much]

hardening,( gel'in)

[Pepper]

We call "Kicking" the start of an exothermic reaction. The resin starts to create its own heat... which then creates more heat... this is why you want to use a cookie sheet instead of a cup to hold your mixed batch. If you have a puddle of resin in your mold...it can "exotherm" and burn... or pull away from the mold. That it why I use paper towels to soak up the extra resin.

[Roly]

My best results over timber for a clear finish have been using double washed silane surfboard glass (6oz) and heating the work where possible as warm resin goes viscous real fast on cold work face.
Also preheat work well before, switch off, and glass on cooling phase to reduce
air bubbles. (outgassing)
I have experienced the silver flecks,damned annoying.
What also pi##es me off is the tendency for one to want to "overwork" the resin introducing air (milkiness).
For the best finish, I calculate out the amount of resin,spread with the least fuss,apply the pre-cut glass and let sit for 5mins. Lightlly squeegee out excess to edge.
The less working (rolling,squeegee-ing) the clearer the finish. There is a knack to it.

[rwatson]

Thanks for the valuable advice Roly and Pepper. The comments make a lot of sense, and if I am ever silly enough to do another boat (next year), this will be a big help.