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Uses for Epoxy

Mar 03
Love0

DIY Tabletops: Things that Make Ya Go WOW! Did I Do That?

By Uncategorized, Uses for Epoxy

Everyone has got an old table that they just can’t seem to throw away. It’s functional, it’s useful, but it just isn’t attractive. (We won’t use the term butt ugly, but… just sayin’.) Well, Protective Coating Company hates waste. We like to do things the old fashioned way – with a bit of flair for the dramatic, thrown in. We like to fix and create things ourselves, where the end result is something sturdy and original – WITHOUT the “Made in China” stamped on the bottom.

Do you have an old wood table that could use a lift? Even different table surfaces can use this approach. All you need to do is cover the table surface with decorative items like: shells, beads, interesting rocks – whatever, and then coat with epoxy to seal in your own unique design. Here’s how.

7 steps to DIY Epoxy Tabletops:

1. Sand your tabletop. Work with the grain to avoid scratches. Remove as much of the old finish as you want. You can leave most of the scratches, gouges, and traces of the old paint on the surface for a rustic look, or you can sand until the surface is smooth for a more cultured look. Pick your own style. Wipe the table down to remove sanding dust, and then apply a coat of stain or paint.

2. Measure each side of your table, including the thickness. Cut sheets of wood veneer, or a similar lightweight material, to correspond to the length of each side, making the width of the board the thickness of the table plus the depth you want your coat to form. For example, a 4-foot long table with a surface 1 inch thick would require a strip 4 feet long and 2 inches wide.

3. Apply a layer of epoxy adhesive (Pc7 epoxy would work nicely) to the edge of the tabletop. Position the strip along the edge of the tabletop and flush with the bottom of the tabletop base. Press the strip firmly and hold for a few minutes to ensure it is secure. Repeat with all the strips to form a mold. Allow it to cure for the appropriate length of time (as listed on the adhesive packaging)
4. Rub the inside of the form down with grease, such as petroleum or shortening. This will keep the epoxy from bonding to the form. If you choose to decorate the top with a pattern or decorative items, now is the time to get as creative as you want. Fill objects that can trap air (such as bottle caps and sea shells) with glue, silicone or a similar substance. Trapped air can ruin your final finish. Use epoxy paste to secure every object to the original tabletop surface.
5. Brush on a thin seal coat of clear epoxy — less than a 1/4 inch thick — over the entire tabletop, including any embedded objects. Make sure you follow product mixing instructions precisely. We recommend PC – Clear. This coat will seal the pores of the table and any porous objects, preventing them from releasing air into the epoxy. It also helps smooth irregularities in the surface. Allow the tabletop to dry completely according to the epoxy directions! Appropriate cure time is essential.
6. Pour an additional layer directly from the bucket into the mold. Lay a coat about 1/8 inch in depth. Gently distribute the epoxy, moving around the table to help the epoxy level out. Allow it to dry for another four hours, then sand and wipe with rubbing alcohol once more.
7. Continue pouring layers of clear epoxy until the finish is as deep as you desire. Maintain drying times to avoid bubbles or irregularities. Remove the forms and sand down the tabletop edges again to complete your new epoxy tabletop.

 

Photo courtesy of colorcopper.com

 

 

 

Dec 03
Love0

Is Epoxy Dangerous? PC Product Facts You Can Count On

By Uncategorized, Uses for Epoxy

We think most folks have a fairly adequate amount of common sense when it comes to epoxy applications. If you follow the directions, it’s pretty much a cake walk. However, we do get a few unusual questions from time to time regarding the safety of epoxy putties and pastes. Before we get into what you CAN do safely with our PC Epoxy products, let’s talk briefly about a few things you probably shouldn’t do, even if you’re a thrill junkie.

Do not:

  • Use it to fix your grandmother’s dentures
  • Use it as a low calorie alternative to peanut butter
  • Attempt to bedazzle your skin or hair with it
  • Use it to make a mold of any of your body parts
  • Inhale as many vapors as you can just to see what happens

While the resin components of epoxy products are rarely a problem, some of the hardening agents are irritants to skin, and can exude certain fumes that are not advisable to inhale. A good set of latex gloves and proper ventilation should take care of any possible issue.

**The most common adverse affect of working with epoxy products is a possible poison ivy-like rash which can develop. However, this usually occurs only after a long period of time with repeated direct skin contact with the products, resulting from a disregard for safety procedures.

PC Epoxy is Safe For:

  • Use in aquariums. Best to remove the fish before working in the aquarium and until the product cures – after curing it is non-toxic to aquatic life.
  • Use on grills. Certain epoxy products, like PC-Fahrenheit,are formulated specifically for use in high-heat situations, and will not become volatile when you are cooking that steak.
  • Use in plumbing fixtures. PC Plumbing has been determined safe by NSF for contact with potable water as a repair product in typical plumbing applications.
  • Use in fridges and freezers to repair broken drawers, etc.

General Epoxy Rule of Thumb

Epoxy is so widely used for home repairs, boatbuilding, woodworking, aircraft construction and repair, truck body repair, and so much more that it’s important to understand how to use it safely.

When working with epoxy products, the key takeaway is that most products are non-toxic, AFTER CURING. When you are mixing and applying any epoxy product, just make sure you follow the label instructions. Once it’s cured- just about anything goes!

Oct 13
Love0

Adventures with Epoxy – Oh Yeah, They Really Do Happen!

By Uncategorized, Uses for Epoxy

Have you ever heard of a KTM 450 EXC? It’s an Austrian dirt bike that is pretty popular across the world. Wes Prunckle of San Pedro, California is an avid fan of this particular bike – he loves riding out on a trek with his three sons. But a broken seal and leaking water pump was putting a real damper on their adventurous family outings.

His sons came to the rescue! Since Wes’s sons are heavy into mechanical engineering (all three have degrees in the field), they decided to try to fix the problem for their Dad so that he could to continue to ride his Austrian dirt bike on their fantastic family treks. PC – Plumbing Epoxy was part of the solution, especially with its fast-cure time and durable sealing nature.

“We waited for it to cure overnight since the first day was lost trying to fix it. The first two attempts didn’t completely fix the problem, but our process was also different” said Wes in a recent email to PC Products.

But the initial delay didn’t cause the Prunkle boys to give up at all. They just tinkered with their design. “It didn’t work until my one son drew up a finalized solution and capitalized on how to compress the epoxy in and hold the seal – but still allow the water pump shaft to turn,” added Wes.

Wes’s sons sent us some hand-drawn pictures to show how they compressed the epoxy (using a washer and socket) carefully into place to hold and seal the broken water pump.

It was a critical maneuver – the PC- Plumbing epoxy seal had to hold the original seal and not allow it to spin since it was broken in half. At the same time, it was necessary that the water pump shaft be able to turn to allow the new epoxy seal to not move or turn.

Sounds difficult. Sounds technical. Sounds iffy. But nope – the PC – Plumbing Epoxy seal held. Wes was ecstatic. “This solution worked and I was able to ride a 40 mile trail ride with no water leak!”

Ride on, Wes. Ride on.

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