How do I prevent / fix air bubbles in my epoxy ?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

earlier today I did my first mix of epoxy for my river, i stirred slow and poured carefully, the base ws sealed. as I was pouringalot of air bubbles appeared, I remembered I had read that to draw these out use a hairdrier. I did this and sure enough the majority of the bubbles shot to the surface and vanished. unfortunately the 12min epoxy started setting and unsightly ripples(not realistic or desired) began appearing.
When I came back about 2hours later there were still alot of bubbles but 95% had risen to the surface. I got a pin and punctured all that I could get though to.

1)Will my second pour now fill these little holes in invisibly or should I give it a thin coat of high gloss poly to eliminate them as this would probably get into the small holes better.

2)If I can eliminate the bubbles from my first pour how do I prevent it from happening on my second pour? Should I get a slower set epoxy?

3)Short of grabbing a chisel and trashing the surrounding scenery to get out the epoxy have I ruined my layout[:(!] and now have to look at a disaster which I know will drive me crazy.

Any help and advice is gratefully recieved.

be safe and have fun
Karl.

2

Karl, I used a Canadian product called Nu-lustre-55 (www.swingpaints.com), also a mixed epoxy. The instructions specifically stated to gently exhale over the first bubbles, and otherwise use a propane torch held 15 cm (6") above the surface and rapidly move it back and forth until they disappear. Perhaps a hot air gun would do, but a hair drier doesn’t have the wattage.

Um, they also advise against breathing the fumes, so turn head when breathing if you decide to try the blowing thing.

-Crandell

3

Karl;

This is one of the reasons that Woodland Scenic’s product is popular…

You are going to have to get the open to the bubbles much larger, as the epoxy will not flow into small openings very well. I would drill them out with a 3/8" drill, then vacuum.

Good Luck.

4

Stir very slowly so as not to introduce bubbles in the mix.

Don’t stir any longer than to get the catalyst and the plastic thoroughtly mixed.

Pour slowly so as not to introduce bubbles in the mold.