Some of my little epoxy fixes passed their second birthday (2 days old) this afternoon, so I went out tonight to hand-sand them and achieve Dull, Even-Finished Bliss. It worked okay, but danged if a few spots didn't seem to go right through to the wood again. I guess these are high spots and I have to sand them with the lightest possible touch, with just one finger's-worth of pressure.
This level of care is not consistent with my personality. Still, there's always hope for personal improvement.
After awhile I noticed a bit of goobering, which is my technical term for the epoxy balling up, just a tad, instead of turning to dust. This means the epoxy isn't sufficiently cured to sand, which I confirmed with a thumbnail test: if a thumbnail, pressed into the epoxy, leaves any kind of mark, it's not ready yet. It wasn't. Not quite.
So I must wait another day. It has been terrifically humid around here -- Sooz and I have been padding around with extra layers on in the house, even with the thermostat set on our regular 68 degrees F. Maybe it takes a bit longer to cure at higher humidity. Sure, I could look it up, but isn't it more exciting just to wait and see? I have no idea.
Builder's note: while I bungle my way through this project, my only daughter's wedding approaches. I'm supposed to give a toast--oh god. I don't think the happy couple will sit still for a wooden-boat-themed toast. But, really, what else is there?
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