•  Diamond II works best at room temperature.  We recommend mixing and applying Diamond II at temperatures between 70F and 80F.

•  It is extremely important to mix Diamond II epoxy in equal portions. The cause of epoxy that won’t cure or that remains tacky after a few days is almost always due to inaccurate measuring of the two portions resulting is something other than an exact 1 to 1 mix. In order to provide some margin for error, we highly recommend mixing no less than 3ccs of each portion even if you do not plan to use that much during application.  This is cheap insurance against having to strip and rewrap and/or recoat with more epoxy.

•  In the event that you do wind up with a mix that won’t completely harden after a few days, you may recoat with Diamond II, making very sure to obtain an exact 1 to 1 mix. A second application, properly measured and mixed, will resolve any “tackiness.”

•  The best way to obtain an exact 1 to 1 mix of your epoxy portions, is with the use of syringes. Be careful not to use medical type syringes which may contain silicone lubricant - silicone will create “fisheyes” in your Diamond II.  Always source syringes which are known to be silicone free. Most rod building component supply houses stock these.

•  In order to reduce the likelihood of bubbles in Diamond II, mix the two portions very slowly, for about 3 to 4 minutes. As you begin mixing, Diamond II will turn somewhat cloudy. As the mixing continues, you will notice that it clears completely. Never apply Diamond II until the mix has completely cleared.

                           You will have 25 to 45 minutes to work with this great finish!!

 
•  At room temperature, Diamond II will set to the touch in a few hours. But a full cure takes longer. Please allow 72 hours before using your finished rod.

•  Diamond II is self leveling. If you experience lumps or sags in your epoxy, the most common cause is applying too much.  It is much better to use 2 light coats than 1 very heavy coat.

•  You may apply a second coat of Diamond II any time after about 10 hours and up to about 72 hours. No special surface preparation is required  provided you recoat within 72 hours. Beyond 72 hours, it is best to lightly scuff the first coat with fine Scotchbrite in order to provide “tooth” for the second coat.

•  All epoxy hardeners, including Diamond II, will tend to turn slightly amber in the bottle over time. This is normal and will not affect the set, cure or performance of the product in any way. 

•  We do not recommend thinning Diamond II with any type of solvent. If you wish to have a slightly thinner epoxy to work with, simply set your Diamond II in a warm area for approximately 30 minutes prior to mixing.  Please be aware that over warming any epoxy will result in less pot life.

•  If you do experience bubbles in your Diamond II, you may remove them with a very brief and application of gentle heat, such as that provided by an alcohol lamp. Do not attempt to “torch” or “cook” the epoxy - all that is needed for bubble release is a few seconds of very gentle warmth.

•  Store Diamond II at room temperature in a dark area. It is natural for the resin component of any epoxy to thicken and even crystallize over time or if stored in a cold area. This will not harm your epoxy. Before use, simply loosen the cap on the resin and warm it in a microwave oven for about 10 seconds.  If this does not return the resin to like new condition, repeat with another 10 seconds. Once returned to full liquid state, your epoxy will perform like new. Again, crystallization of the resin is normal and will not harm your epoxy.