Prepare Bare Teak for a System Three G-2 Epoxy Bond

A teak joint needs its own preparation schedule. The fine surface you would leave before applying furniture oil is not the surface specified for System Three G-2 epoxy adhesive.

For bare oily woods, System Three calls for 60–80-grit sanding, a solvent wipe, complete solvent evaporation, and adhesive application within 60 minutes. Put the parts, clamps and mixing supplies in order before starting that final preparation so the cleaned joint can go straight to bonding.

Fit the parts while there is still time to adjust them

Work with sound, bare teak and an accessible joint. Remove an existing coating or failed adhesive through an appropriate separate repair process first; this sequence is not a way to glue over old varnish.

Assemble the parts without adhesive. Establish their orientation and the position of the clamps, and mark matching parts away from the bonding faces. Make any machining corrections now. You should not need to stop after the final solvent wipe to hunt for a missing clamp or recut a shoulder.

Keep a matching offcut for a trial bond, especially when the teak's previous treatment is uncertain. A sample uses the same stock, adhesive and preparation as the joint, rather than a different clean board that is easier to bond.

Sand the surfaces that will receive adhesive

System Three's oily-wood bonding instructions specify coarse sanding at 60–80 grit. eQualle 80-grit sheets in a 25-pack provide a cut-to-fit option for that operation. Use them dry on a support that fits the mating surface.

On a flat face, support the paper with a firm block. On a narrow part, keep the block square to the reference face instead of rolling it over the corners. Abrade the bonding area evenly while preserving the joint's geometry. A coarse bonding texture is the objective; reducing the part's dimensions is not.

Remove loose dust and keep the prepared faces off a dirty bench. Do not continue through a furniture-finishing grit sequence just because finer sheets are available.

Remove surface oil and complete the handoff

G-2's preparation guidance names lacquer thinner or xylene for the solvent wipe. Follow the selected solvent's handling requirements, including ventilation and protection from ignition sources. Let it evaporate completely before adding adhesive; do not use a heat gun to hurry a solvent-wet joint.

Apply G-2 within the specified 60-minute interval. That interval concerns the prepared oily surface. It is separate from the working time of a mixed batch of epoxy.

The G-2 product data gives a mixing ratio of 2 parts resin to 1 part hardener by volume. Its weight ratio is different, so do not use the volume ratio on a scale. Mix and apply according to the product instructions, coat the mating surfaces, and bring the parts into their planned position.

Use only enough clamping pressure to close and hold the joint. Excessive pressure can squeeze out too much adhesive. Leave the assembly supported for the specified cure before machining or loading it; a dry-looking squeeze-out bead does not establish readiness.

General tip: sanding before adhesive

Keep the 80-grit bonding paper separate from later finishing supplies. Once the joint has cured and any external cleanup is complete, select the visible surface's final sanding schedule for the finish it will receive.