I need some advice on a DIY project. My buddy is renovating an apartment and has made some amazing wooden pieces using clear epoxy for a shiny finish. He followed the 1:1 mix ratio for resin and hardener, but accidentally mixed resin with polyurethane, and it never set. Now, there's this sticky, mostly-clear substance left. I've scraped off a lot with a drywall knife and sanded some down, but there's still a thin layer stuck to the wood. I'm considering painting a thin layer of hardener on it to see if that will solidify what's left before covering it with more epoxy or polyurethane. Is this a good idea, or should I try something else? I really want to avoid losing this countertop he crafted since it looks great, even though the wood was inexpensive.
3 Answers
I suggest removing all the leftover mix with acetone or mineral spirits and starting fresh. Trying to fix it by layering hardener could lead to more issues. And for future projects, always do a test mix on some scrap cardboard to avoid mishaps!
Better to sand it down and refinish properly. You want that surface prepped right, and going over the old stuff could cause problems down the line. Take your time with the sanding!
Honestly, if it only took him a few hours to make, it might be quicker and less hassle to just remake it. Cleaning up the mess can take just as long, if not longer, especially with knots or imperfections.
Yeah, we decided to start over. I actually remade it using my friend’s design.