Epoxy is awesome for bonding things together, but it’s not always so great for working on old projects that you’d like to fix up and there’s a lot of epoxy residue on things and you don’t necessarily want to start over completely with a new project; what can you do to make your old epoxy projects work for you again?
What is epoxy resin?
Epoxy resin is a type of polyester resin typically manufactured by combining epichlorohydrin with bisphenol A; the use of epoxy resins dates back to the 1930s when it was discovered that the compounds can be mixed without reaction and were originally used primarily in construction and as a sealer for metals, epoxy resins are now used in a wide range of applications including automotive refinishing, wood finishing, marine coatings, and adhesives.
What is epoxy glue?
Epoxy is a resin that hardens when exposed to air, it’s typically applied by two-part epoxy glue, which is comprised of a liquid and a hardener- the liquid component slowly reacts with the hardener to create a clear and durable adhesive; epoxy is ideal for bonding, adhering, sealing, and mixing substances, however, it will also stick to itself if not cleaned properly before application so it’s best to clean off any excess residue from the surface you’re using it on before using the glue.
Re-using an Epoxy Resin
If you want to replace old epoxy with a new one on a new project, the epoxy resin must be fully cured which means that the epoxy has dried completely and there are no traces of liquid left in the container if your project needs to be done quickly, you might need to use a less-cured epoxy resin for faster completion time and it will also be easier for your new project to adhere to old material as long as the epoxy is not too wet.
Making an Epoxy Resin You Can Re-Use
Epoxy resin is another name for epoxy- it’s a gooey substance, and it’s not always the easiest material to work with, the good news is that you can make your epoxy resin, and if you have some old epoxy you want to re-use, all you need to do is mix two substances: bisphenol A and acetone; you can also use xylene instead of acetone if you like.
The best way to use this new epoxy resin is in small batches as a sealant for things like metal surfaces, glass windows, furniture, or even concrete surfaces- this will ensure that your project doesn’t get damaged by water, dirt, or other environmental elements while it’s still in progress and when using the homemade epoxy resin as a sealant, be sure not to pour too much on top of the surface you’re working on at once as this will cause the excess to drip down onto other areas of the project causing damage or making a mess, and instead of pouring on an excessive amount at once, work on one section of your project at a time until it’s done and then move on to another section when finished with the first one.