Fibreglass and silk wrap problems

[Gilly T]

I am currently doing fibreglass/silks wraps in college and we are using the Ezflow system.

Last night I did prep as usual and applied white tips. Then I followed the procedure given to me by college:

layer of resin
activate
layer of fibreglass/silk
layer of resin
activate
further fibreglass/silk if needed/required
resin
activate
finish/shape/buff

The only problems I had (aside from trying to handle the fibreglass without touching it.. grrrr.) was that when I sprayed the activator on the resin it went a horrible yellowy colour.

Also after my last application of activator I ended up with tiny crystalised bubbles over the top of the resin in zone 1. Is this because there were bubbles in the resin? And how do I eliminate these when applying builder resin?

Hoping someone can help as I so want to produce something at least half decent.

 

[Noodle]

Jess aka Sparklepink is an Ezflow whizz (as well as a Master Artist Educator!) and although she has been involved with moving recently, I'm sure if you send her a PM she'll be able to help you with your fibreglass probs.

HTHs :hug:

 

[Purelynailz]

I am currently doing fibreglass/silks wraps in college and we are using the Ezflow system.

Last night I did prep as usual and applied white tips. Then I followed the procedure given to me by college:

layer of resin
activate
layer of fibreglass/silk
layer of resin
activate
further fibreglass/silk if needed/required
resin
activate
finish/shape/buff

The only problems I had (aside from trying to handle the fibreglass without touching it.. grrrr.) was that when I sprayed the activator on the resin it went a horrible yellowy colour.

Also after my last application of activator I ended up with tiny crystalised bubbles over the top of the resin in zone 1. Is this because there were bubbles in the resin? And how do I eliminate these when applying builder resin?

Hoping someone can help as I so want to produce something at least half decent.

Hi ya,

After i put on my fibrglass/silk ,then put the resin on , i dont activate that layer, i leave the layer of resin to soak right into the fibrglass.....i also use the builder resin to build a shape and apex and use the brush it activator for this layer.......theyre the only 2 things i do differntly.....i havnt actually done a ezflow fibreglass course tho, i did a generic fibreglass system a couple of years ago, so maybe sumone else might be able to help a bit more.
Ive not had any probs with yellowing so far but only used it a few times....
At a guess id say the crystalised bubbles could be a result of too much builder resin and/or spraying the activator too close, but i use the brush it activator for the builder resin not the spray....
Hopefully one of the ezflow eductaors can help ya a bit more ..

Haze x

 

[LoveNatural]

Now I don't use this as an enhancement serive with tips and all. But I do use wraps as a nail repair tool. This is what I do.

1. buff nail with a 100-180 grit buffer
2. cleanse nail with polish remover
3. dehydrate nail with Chip Skip or Bondaid
4. apply silk wrap (I've found these don't lift as easy)
5. apply Mach 5 nail glue
6. spray with catalyst (activator)
7. repeat steps 5 and 6 two more times
8. Apply oil to wrap
9. Buff until smooth.

Those bubbles are caused by the product curing too fast (at least this is my theory). Try holding your activator (I'm assuming it's a spray on) at least 7 inches away if not further. This will cut down on the heat transfer and keep it from curing too fast. At least this is how it works with Mach 5 glue. If you still experience bubbles. Apply oil to the wrap before buffing. This helps with white spots and such.

And the yellow?? Well, with any other enhancement this means contamination. So maybe your activator is contaminated? Or maybe your resin? Try a new of each and see if that's your problem.

Hope I helped. Good luck

 

[Gilly T]

Thanks guys.. I'll send sparklepink a pm later.

Will try again today with thinner layer of builder resin and hold the activator further away, although I am holiding it about 7-8" away already. I didn't get a brush on activator in my kit and there wasn't one on my kit list either but I may give Graftons a ring and see if I can get one. I will also mention the resin yellowing, I am wondering if there is something wrong with the activator.

Thanks for your help. It's appreciated x

 

[Gilly T]

I have had a couple of further attempts this morning and have put a couple of pics up of my second one for critique.

It was so much better and no yellowing so thanks geeks... ALL your advice paid off. :hug:

 

[nailzoo]

As others have said, keep the activator at a distance, it only takes a minute amount of activator to do the job (it's a chemical reaction).

I qualified a a backscratchers educator many, many years ago.
I loked at our other pictures too, the look great, maybe the air bubbles are caused from you trying tocomplete the resin too quickly, take it easy, squeezing the resin gently and kinda colouring in the nail with the resin.

Also with French tips that you don't buff in, there is a natural "dip" behind the tip and this seems to be where the bubbles are.

Before you apply your silk, try evening this dip/ridge out with a tiny drizzle of resin in this area to make the area more level (rather than an obvious dip).

Gawd things are hard to explan in words sometimes, do you get what I mean?:lol:

 

[Gilly T]

As others have said, keep the activator at a distance, it only takes a minute amount of activator to do the job (it's a chemical reaction).

I qualified a a backscratchers educator many, many years ago.
I loked at our other pictures too, the look great, maybe the air bubbles are caused from you trying tocomplete the resin too quickly, take it easy, squeezing the resin gently and kinda colouring in the nail with the resin.

Also with French tips that you don't buff in, there is a natural "dip" behind the tip and this seems to be where the bubbles are.

Before you apply your silk, try evening this dip/ridge out with a tiny drizzle of resin in this area to make the area more level (rather than an obvious dip).

Gawd things are hard to explan in words sometimes, do you get what I mean?:lol:

I do get it.. especially the 'colouring in the nail' bit. I did try to level up the ridge before applying the silk and then left the resin to cure but I'm wondering if I didn't wait long enough before applying the silk.

They're not very strong are they? I've caught the corner of one already

 

[nailzoo]

I always gave em a quick once over with a white block before applying the silk, fibreglass, this will show up any bubbles or dips.

 

[ValencianNails]

This is what I do.

1. buff nail with a 100-180 grit buffer

Why would you use such a harsh abrasive on the natural nail?

 

[Gilly T]

To be honest I don't even like using a 180 grit on the natural nail. I have started using my sand turtle to see if I can get away with it.

I thought you weren't supposed to use anything lower than a 180 on the natural nail?

 

[ValencianNails]

I thought you weren't supposed to use anything lower than a 180 on the natural nail?

The products I use (fibreglass incl) don't require anything more than a 240 grit, just to remove the shine :green: