Thread: seeking help with mystery problem

Welcome to the forum. In regards to your question I looked at two epoxy companies West Systems and Bote Cota. I wanted a black fill in the hole that I was filling so it came down to to getting a dye. I got hold of what I think was Wattly dye and tried it out on some scrap. I have been told that you could also use the stuff that they colour concreat with but did not want to purchase a large bag. I also tried some paint dye from the craft store but I found this very think and would not mix well.

I stayed away from a water based dye as I was not sure how it would react.

Best to fill only what you need and not cover the whole area as this dries harder then the wood and will not sand as evenly. I used a scraper and slowly get this even and finished with a light sand.

Intrigued by this pattern you talk of. Any pics? It is already in the floor boards?

Hi

I always use the pigment used for concrete in my epoxy resin. Most hardware shops sell it in small containers, pretty cheap. Fiber glass shops will sell special pigments in tiny jars and the epoxy you want. Be careful with the epoxy, it will need a microfiber in it to stiffen it up otherwise you can keep poring it in and it will just run under your boards. Car body filler might work out easier and in my experience can be colored pretty well the same way, just make sure you get a white hardener for it (not the bright red or blue).

Hey Foxley,

A few of the ' Floor Guys' that I know over here swear by the West System Products, as stated above some pics would be good, I assume that the pattern is already in the floor, how big are the holes ? and how deep ?

HazzaB

Thanks for your suggestions. I was concerned whether any excess epoxy could be sanded with the floor sanding machinery - and whether it would stuff their machines, too. Thanks again.

Pattern is of 'seed of life'. Working out the dimensions, geometry and translating to the floor took yonks some years ago. At that time tried to preserve it with a type of Indian ink but the sealer spread that through the wood. We drilled the pattern (series of holes following the lines)to about 3 ml. Trick now is to put something in the holes so can still see the pattern fully after floors resealed. Will also have to redrill enough to take account of the amount the sanders will take off. Maybe I am down to the traditional burned in method used with wood when I was a kid.

I would use casting and embedding resin, get it at bunnings, its clear so you colour it to desired with concrete oxide which comes in small containers. I have used this stuff out of a syringe ( go to a vet and see if you can buy a biggy). You have to work like crazy as it sets in 10 mins Also remember to buy a bottle of catalytic converter cos the stuff is a 2 part. All are on bunnings shelf with the fibreglass stuff.
This is the stuff used to fill holes in redgum furniture. Oh and take care mixing not to introduce bubbles.

my first choice would be for a coloured epoxy, but my second choice would be timbermate putty. I'm thinking of my kitchen floor where I didn't colour match the timbermate putty very well and the holes are very obvious in some sections

Epoxy with a slow hardener, colour it with concrete oxide for solid colours, or a few drops of the Feast Watson dyes for slightly transparent colours. Sands just fine.

I have heard that you can mix the epoxy in a zip lock bag (kneed it together inside the bag) then clip off the corner and use it like piping icing!

Originally Posted by tea lady

I have heard that you can mix the epoxy in a zip lock bag (kneed it together inside the bag) then clip off the corner and use it like piping icing!

It can get quite hot if the mix is not quite right. I have had one melt the plastic cup and started to smoke but did not conern me as I was working outside and avoided the fumes.