smooth on?

[flyfish1]

I have had times when using smooth on I will get chunks, crystals, etc... hard glass like chips after mixing, but have yet to see it prior to mixing in part a or b separate from other. Is it shelf life or what. I use separate sticks to remove from can so im not mixing them. Anybody? Kenny, as a supplier and bowyer any thoughts, suggestions? thanks

[JamesV]

I had an unopened unit of smooth-on that sit in my unheated shop for 3 years and I used it with no problems. How old is it and how long since it was opened. I have seen really old epoxy harden without being mixed (floorcovering grade)after being opened.

[rmorris]

Ron, I was having a similar problem with smooth on. I was thinking it was me contaminating part A with part B or the other way around. I now mix it in a clear plastic cup and then use any piece of wood I can chuck in a drill to mix it for a few minutes. I it makes a very uniform yellow milky color and any defect or foreign material stands out like plain as day. Not sure why it happened but that is how I fixed future problems.

[kennym]

Hi Ron,

Not sure, haven't seen that.

Was the epoxy cold? Thinkin out loud...

I suppose if not sealed up well and old, it might dry the top of the stuff in the can?

[flyfish1]

the top I tap down tight so it should be sealed and I store in basement consistently around 65 degrees. The batch isnt more than a few months old. No crust on top when opened and no sign of it until mixed and spreading. chunks can be speck size up to over 1/4 inch almost like it kicked off as it is like hard chips.

[kennym]

Ron , do you know how old it is?

[flyfish1]

Kenny, I would say I got it sept or oct

[flyfish1]

Kenny, is there a best if used by sort of thing on it do you know?

[kennym]

Not sure Ron, I try to keep my stock about 4 months or less.

I'm writing myself a note to call Smooth-on tomorrow right now.

Be back with ya tomorrow nite.

[StoneAK]

I have seen it before as well when I was spreading out the mix on some lams I usually pick it out. I didn't know what it was.

[Glunt]

I've seen it twice.  Just figured I contaminated it somehow.  Both times it was on previously opened cans.

[StoneAK]

Yes the times I saw it was on pre opened cans as well. I kind of figured that I messed it up some how

[Bradford]

Me too.. it happens almost everytime.. but like everyone else, I just pick them out and move on.  Never had the smooth on fail because of it.

[monterey]

I have somr that is about six years old.  The white part is all grainy.  Don't plan to use it in a bow, but have done some wood repairs to furniture and it worked just fine.

Sounds like your problem is a bit different though.

[kennym]

Ron,
All I could get today was a computer  to talk to. Still trying....

[7 Lakes]

It almost has to be contamination.  It doesn't take but a tiny bit to make a tiny cristal.

[flyfish1]

I dont think so because I use a brand new craft stick for each part, never mixing the two so it cant be

[flyfish1]

Also that doesnt explain why it is not in either part before mixing. the chunks dont appear until both parts mixed