Share your craft projects
Make new craft buddies
Ask craft questions
Blog your craft journey
For prepping the wood before applying West Systems 105/207 Epoxy, there are a few options you can consider depending on the desired outcome:
Sanding: Since you mentioned the presence of gouges, it's a good idea to start by sanding the wood to smooth out any rough areas and remove any imperfections as much as possible.
Filling: For deeper gouges that cannot be sanded out, you can fill them with an appropriate wood filler or epoxy filler. This will help create a smoother surface before applying the epoxy finish.
Stain or Dye: If you want to add color to the wood, you can consider using a wood stain or dye before applying the epoxy. Test the stain or dye on a small, inconspicuous area of the wood to ensure you achieve the desired color and effect.
Shellac: Applying a coat of shellac before the epoxy can help seal the wood and enhance its appearance. Shellac acts as a barrier between the wood and the epoxy, providing additional protection and preventing any potential reactions between the epoxy and the wood.
Sanding and Polishing: If you desire a smooth and glossy finish, you can sand the cured epoxy surface gradually with progressively finer grit sandpaper. After sanding, you can polish the epoxy using polishing compounds to achieve a high shine.
Wax or Oil: Alternatively, you can use wax or oil finishes, such as beeswax or tung oil, to bring out the natural beauty of the gun wood box and provide a more traditional, matte appearance. These finishes can also help protect the wood and make it more resistant to moisture.
Sanding: Since you mentioned the presence of gouges, it's a good idea to start by sanding the wood to smooth out any rough areas and remove any imperfections as much as possible.
Filling: For deeper gouges that cannot be sanded out, you can fill them with an appropriate wood filler or epoxy filler. This will help create a smoother surface before applying the epoxy finish.
Stain or Dye: If you want to add color to the wood, you can consider using a wood stain or dye before applying the epoxy. Test the stain or dye on a small, inconspicuous area of the wood to ensure you achieve the desired color and effect.
Shellac: Applying a coat of shellac before the epoxy can help seal the wood and enhance its appearance. Shellac acts as a barrier between the wood and the epoxy, providing additional protection and preventing any potential reactions between the epoxy and the wood.
Sanding and Polishing: If you desire a smooth and glossy finish, you can sand the cured epoxy surface gradually with progressively finer grit sandpaper. After sanding, you can polish the epoxy using polishing compounds to achieve a high shine.
Wax or Oil: Alternatively, you can use wax or oil finishes, such as beeswax or tung oil, to bring out the natural beauty of the gun wood box and provide a more traditional, matte appearance. These finishes can also help protect the wood and make it more resistant to moisture.
