> I just finished up taping the outer shears, and my happiness with RAKA
> epoxy has gone a bit sour lately. I still recommend RAKA, but the low
> viscosity that was a benefit during the full 'glassing stages has become a
> bit troublesome for taping the shears. The problem is that the epoxy is so
> thin, that it runs off the shear and down the side of the on-edge kayak,
> making runs all over. If I had been around after doing the taping and
> filling, I could catch the drips as they formed, which took about an hour
> from the time of application. But I laid the strip on at night (went to
> sleep), filled the next morning (went to work) and filled again at
> lunchtime (went back to work.) I filled the weave in 2 coats on the first
> side, but laid less epoxy on at a time on the second side, so it'll take
> me 3 coats. The last time I let the epoxy heat up in the cup before
> applying it, hoping it would be thicker, but it still ran. I've caught
> some drips and scraped off some (although the epoxy doesn't really scrape
> off, it just sort of mushes it around -- at least the high spots are
> lowered.)

> The 2" 6-oz. tape I bought from RAKA was nicer than the tape that was
> supplied with my Arctic Tern. RAKA's has a flatter-woven edge, so there
> will be less to sand off.

> Vaclav's site has some interesting info on his own tests of various
> epoxies that everyone should check out if they haven't yet...

> Dean

Try using Peel Ply over the fiberglass tape right after you wet it out. It will hold the epoxy in place and when you come back after the initial cure you can grab an edge and pull it off leaving a very fine weave. Then one thin coat will fair it out.

Also, to fix the drools and runs use a scraper while the epoxy is in the green cure stage. If it is too soon it will gum up as you scrape; wait a few hours and it will cut off easily.

Michael