The usual mixing time is around 5 minutes per gallon. It’s beneficial to have help with the mixing process as your arm may get tired during the process. Just like stirring a pot of rice, make sure to scrape the mixture from the sides and bottom of the container in order to avoid clumps and unmixed parts. While you’re mixing, make sure to avoid bubbles as much as possible. Once you’ve got a bubble on your surface, it’s almost impossible to get rid of completely, so avoid as many of them as you can while mixing.
During application, again try to avoid bubbles as much as possible. If you find yourself with bubbles in the coat, experts suggest using a propane torch on the surface to get rid of them. Make sure that if you use a propane torch not to char the surface leading to an appearance worse than the bubbles. Use caution not only for your own safety, but for the safety of your surface. If you’ve got a friend with you, use them to spot bubbles so that they can be quickly eliminated. Some experts also recommend a heat gun or powerful hair dryer for this process if you don’t have a propane torch on hand.
The number of coats depends on the material you’re applying the epoxy to. For metal or hard smooth wood, you can probably get away with using just one coat. If you decide to apply more coats for protection, it’s wise to wait about 4-10 hours in between each coat to ensure the best bonding results. If you wait longer than the 4-10 hours, it’s recommended that you sand the old surface and clean it with an alcohol-soaked rag before the next application.