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Hey folks! I was planning on pore filling BRW with z-poxy. I have never used any epoxy before, other then repairing something with 5 minute epoxy. I seem to see z-poxy as the most common for pore filling. What epoxy is easier or better to use for someone inexperienced with it? Does it set fast so as you can only work a small area at a time? There's probably a post somewhere already on the procedure for this, but I haven't been able to find it.

I think Z-poxie would be better since you mix it in equal parts. Robbie O'brien covers the entire pore filling and epoxie filling on his finishing DVD. Highly recommnend it!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Yeah, you want a pore filling epoxy. (But don't ever try to use it as glue). Zpoxy and System III are the most popular. I have used both and they are good products.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

i have used system 3 with good results,, no experience with zpoxy... I like to add silica to thicken it about like mayo.. stays put better. I believe it does not shrink as much in the pores. Others don't use it and like that better,,, so its your call.
Mike

Mark,
I use z-poxy and like Hesh said it is much more forgiving while mixing compared to system III.
Like Peter said, I cover the use of this product as well as many others in my Guitar Finishing DVD.
Good luck!

I mix system III with cooking syringes. It works great.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

The West Systems stuff has pumps available that deliver the proper (5:1) ratio of resin to hardener. One pump each and you're in business. It often takes 12-24 hours to dry so I've been using Zpoxy for this process.
I actually thin mine a bit as I had a problem with the epoxy bridging the pores instead of going down into them. Then when I sanded, the pores showed up again. Very frustrating. So I thin with DA and it works great. Takes a couple of more applications but I think it's worth it. Dries faster when thinned too.
The ratio of zpoxy is 1:1 and is pretty forgiving. I just make two puddles about quarter sized, mix them and then ad the DA.

I ordered 100 3cc syringes w/ needles on the net for about $20. I use these to mix the System III ( I don't use the neeedles). when done I toss em... again not the needles. This, as Brock states, works great. It allows quite accurate measurements. With System III you need to measure carefully. Early on I got the mix wrong and ended up with a huge mess. I don't care to ever do that again.

I have just started mixing it w/ 50%+- DA and I wipe it on with a lint free cloth. Seems to give a longer working life but also dries faster. I can mix one batch and cover the entire guitar this way. It takes me about 3 coats to fully fill all the pores but it's quite easy to work with and I can do three coats in two days. It's pretty easy to sand back this way also. keep in mind I don't sand all the way back to wood. I just try to keep it flat and sand between applications to achieve this.

Good LuckRCoates38976.9613425926

So Todd 130 degrees...what kind of glue does he use to hold everything together? I would imagine most of the stuff we use would begin tofail at that temp.

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

A note for those who haven't used silica: It stays in your lungs just like asbestos--breath it in, and it's there for your (possibly shortened) lifetime. It can cause cancer and other nasty things. Be very careful!!!

This is correct Zpoxy pr Pace industry's makes several epoxies. The Finishing Resin is what you want to use for pore filling. It is lower viscosity than and adhesive epoxy, drys clear and is UV resistant.

A word on using it It has a 20 min pot life max 10-12 is more realistic. Mix small batches and use before it starts to thicken. One you notice a viscosity change do not use as a filler to prevent bridging over the pores.