On Mar 23, 2:12*pm, Paul Oman wrote:
wrote:
Hi...any tips on applyingepoxyto a round log? *I do not need the
entire log coated as I am not worried about the underside.

Do I just lay the log on some plastic, pour theepoxyover it and let
gravity do its work?

I am in theepoxybusiness. What exactly are you trying to do? *- paul

The log is about 5 foot long and is only about 6 inches in diameter.
I actually split the log in half last night. It's for a bar as an arm
rest. It can now sit nice and flat and all I need is a smooth, hard
finish over the log. What's my best option?

On Mar 25, 10:35*am, wrote:

snip

The log is about 5 foot long and is only about 6 inches in diameter.
I actually split the log in half last night. *It's for a bar as an arm
rest. *It can now sit nice and flat and all I need is a smooth, hard
finish over the log. *What's my best option?

Polyester boat resin in a plastic film lined box is still your best
and easiest process. The lower resin viscosity will penetrate wood
fiber better than solvent diluted reactive resin systems. UV
resistance is a plus. What ever system you choose, read the labels and
know in advance what the hazards are in working with them. Amine type
hardeners in epoxies, for example, may cause dermatitis in some
people. Never had that problem myself, but have seen it in the
workplace. Good luck.

Joe

On Mar 25, 2:46*pm, Joe wrote:
On Mar 25, 10:35*am, wrote:

snip
The log is about 5 foot long and is only about 6 inches in diameter.
I actually split the log in half last night. *It's for a bar as an arm
rest. *It can now sit nice and flat and all I need is a smooth, hard
finish over the log. *What's my best option?

Polyester boat resin in a plastic film lined box is still your best
and easiest process. The lower resin viscosity will penetrate wood
fiber better than solvent diluted reactive resin systems. UV
resistance is a plus. What ever system you choose, read the labels and
know in advance what the hazards are in working with them. Amine type
hardeners in epoxies, for example, may cause dermatitis in some
people. Never had that problem myself, but have seen it in the
workplace. Good luck.

Joe

Thanks, Joe. Any particular type of Polyester boat resin? I called
one of my local boat supply stores and was told they have several
types available.

On Mar 25, 2:46*pm, Joe wrote:
On Mar 25, 10:35*am, wrote:

snip
The log is about 5 foot long and is only about 6 inches in diameter.
I actually split the log in half last night. *It's for a bar as an arm
rest. *It can now sit nice and flat and all I need is a smooth, hard
finish over the log. *What's my best option?

Polyester boat resin in a plastic film lined box is still your best
and easiest process. The lower resin viscosity will penetrate wood
fiber better than solvent diluted reactive resin systems. UV
resistance is a plus. What ever system you choose, read the labels and
know in advance what the hazards are in working with them. Amine type
hardeners in epoxies, for example, may cause dermatitis in some
people. Never had that problem myself, but have seen it in the
workplace. Good luck.

Joe

Thanks, Joe. Any articular type of Polyester Resin? I called my local
boating supply store and was told they have several different types.

wrote:
On Mar 23, 2:12 pm, Paul Oman wrote:
wrote:
Hi...any tips on applyingepoxyto a round log? I do not need the
entire log coated as I am not worried about the underside.

Do I just lay the log on some plastic, pour theepoxyover it and let
gravity do its work?

I am in theepoxybusiness. What exactly are you trying to do? - paul

The log is about 5 foot long and is only about 6 inches in diameter.
I actually split the log in half last night. It's for a bar as an arm
rest. It can now sit nice and flat and all I need is a smooth, hard
finish over the log. What's my best option?

I'm with Joe as far as epoxy or polyester goes.

As far as "smooth" goes, how rough is it now? Bark on or off? If on, heavy
and serrated or pretty smooth? It would help to know what species it is.

Assuming you only want to coat the now flat surface...

1. cover some thin strips of wood with plastic tape on one side

2. tack the strips - plastic side in - to your log so that they extend a
bit above it

3. pour polyester CASTING resin onto the surface

4. after the resin cures, remove the wood strips and clean up drips on
sides. You could minimize drips by sticking some modeling clay in voids
between the the log and strips of wood making up the dam.
__________________

If you want to coat more than the flat surface, one way you could do it
regardless of current smoothness is to sort of cast it by building a trough
affair of heavy but bendable mylar, suspending the log so there is maybe
1/8" between it and the mylar then filling the trough with catalyzed rein.
You could also make a trough by splitting a cardboard cylinder and lining it
with polyethylene plastic (plastic drop cloths are polyethylene). The
plastic should peel off easily once cured.

Either way would be a PITA.

NOTE: polyester resin heats up as it cures. The faster it sets (more
catalyst) the more heat.

Decent source for resins...
http://www.uscomposites.com/polyesters.html



--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

The bark is off, the log is dry, and has been made pretty smooth.
Tree type is White Birch.

wrote:
The bark is off, the log is dry, and has been made pretty smooth.
Tree type is White Birch.

Well, if it were me, I'd do the step by step in my previous post. However,
if you want to cover all the wood - not just the flat surface - I'd do the
non-flat part first. I'd just brush on laminating resin* til I had it all
covered, then brush on a coat of the same with wax added, then use casting
resin per my previous post for the flat part.

* Laminating resin stays sticky so that additional coats bond well. For it
to cure completely, the surface needs to be protected from air; adding wax
(to make "finishing" resin) keeps it away from air but the cured resin won't
be shiny unless sanded and buffed. See the link in my previous post for
supplies & more info.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

wrote:
On Mar 23, 2:12 pm, Paul Oman wrote:
wrote:
Hi...any tips on applyingepoxyto a round log? I do not need the
entire log coated as I am not worried about the underside.
Do I just lay the log on some plastic, pour theepoxyover it and let
gravity do its work?
I am in theepoxybusiness. What exactly are you trying to do? - paul

The log is about 5 foot long and is only about 6 inches in diameter.
I actually split the log in half last night. It's for a bar as an arm
rest. It can now sit nice and flat and all I need is a smooth, hard
finish over the log. What's my best option?

Is this a log with bark, or cleaned off? From my days of refinishing
pianos, I learned that you can build a thick finish with shellac and
then use varnish as a protective coat. Shellac isn't
water/alcohol-proof. If you are going to pour the finish on, fashion a
prop - nails stuck through scrap wood? - so the log isn't resting on a
surface.

wrote:
wrote:
On Mar 23, 2:12 pm, Paul Oman wrote:
wrote:
Hi...any tips on applyingepoxyto a round log? I do not need the
entire log coated as I am not worried about the underside.
Do I just lay the log on some plastic, pour theepoxyover it and let
gravity do its work?
I am in theepoxybusiness. What exactly are you trying to do? - paul

The log is about 5 foot long and is only about 6 inches in diameter.
I actually split the log in half last night. It's for a bar as an arm
rest. It can now sit nice and flat and all I need is a smooth, hard
finish over the log. What's my best option?

Is this a log with bark, or cleaned off? From my days of refinishing
pianos, I learned that you can build a thick finish with shellac and
then use varnish as a protective coat. Shellac isn't
water/alcohol-proof. If you are going to pour the finish on, fashion
a prop - nails stuck through scrap wood? - so the log isn't resting on
a surface.
--------------------

set it on some plastic or wax paper then just 'brush/pour' on some
,marine epoxy which is about honey thick over it....
Then perhaps a coat or three of varnish - paul/progressive epoxy polymers

wrote:
On Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:35:47 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

The log is about 5 foot long and is only about 6 inches in diameter.

That doesn't sound that heavy. I would still try to turn it as the
epoxy cures. Try to find the center of gravity and drive some big
spikes in there Support it and turn it with a rotisserie motor. Pour
the epoxy on and let it turn.
The others are right- epoxy is the wrong material for the job. They sell
a plastic resin for applications like this. Any large hobby/craft/art
supply shop should have it. (although it would probably be cheaper
online or at an industrial supply.) A bar I used to hang out in had a
layer of resin on the bar top covering a layer of coins, small bills,
car keys, and similar trash. Yes, it made it hard to find your change.

--
aem sends...