Should I do this or that

[larcor69]

My build is near completion getting ready to seal and paint, the question is should I use spot putty and fillers prior to sealing with the epoxy or should I seal first then fill imperfections

 

[K F Wheeler]

Corey,
I would seal it first. That will fill some of the smaller dips and divots. May make it easier to see some low spots that you didn't see or forgot about.
Any spots you need to fill afterwards, use denatured alcohol or acetone to clean that spot first. Alcohol is what I like. Acetone works well but wants to dissolve the epoxy. Remember epoxy forms a thin coating of some sort on top. Don't remember what it is... But, I DO KNOW epoxy or anything else won't stick as well to your sealer if that coating isn't removed.
And now isn't the time to take short cuts!

Ken

 

[Mark Anderson]

I prefer to do any obvious filling before sealing so the epoxy locks the filler in.

 

[larcor69]

Yes I have a few gaps I need to fill in especially in the air trap area and the spot on the bottom floor near the frame has a gap in it somehow it slid down while the epoxy was drying,

 

[larcor69]

Ok, well major filling needs attention before the final sealing with epoxy, Minor tidbits after epoxy seal

 

[brad nichols]

Epoxy forms a wax on top that needs to be removed and gaps that are structural needs cabasil mixed with epoxy and low spots filled with micro balloons and epoxy.

 

[Mike Cathey]

It's good to do as much as you can before, but once the primer hits it you will see all kinds of stuff especially in fiberglass or CF.

 

[Phil Mitchell]

Corey,
I would seal it first. That will fill some of the smaller dips and divots. May make it easier to see some low spots that you didn't see or forgot about.
Any spots you need to fill afterwards, use denatured alcohol or acetone to clean that spot first. Alcohol is what I like. Acetone works well but wants to dissolve the epoxy. Remember epoxy forms a thin coating of some sort on top. Don't remember what it is... But, I DO KNOW epoxy or anything else won't stick as well to your sealer if that coating isn't removed.
And now isn't the time to take short cuts!

Ken

The epoxy film is amine blush. easily washed away with a mixture of ammonia and water. wash it before you sand the epoxy or you will drive it deeper. Having glassed decks on full scale hydros, I've worked with gallons of the stuff.

 

[larcor69]

After taking the whole last 8 months off on this boat trying to get going on it again I'd like to get it sealed and possibly painted before the weather gets too cold if I could, I would hand this over to someone else to finish sanding it and sealing it LOL, any takers around Michigan