MikeEasley@aol.com wrote:

I also used liberal amounts of acetone, changed the paper towel very often.  I wet the surface with acetone, and followed up with a fresh, dry paper towel.

I think I read somewhere about sanding just prior to bonding, something about exciting the molecules. 

Studies done at Airlink in Stuart FL (which may not exist since hurricane Jeanne hit!) showed a very consistant decrease in epoxy bonding strength when the composite surfaces were wiped with acetone after sanding.  The best adhesion was found using a sequence of acetone wipe, dry sand, dry wipe, and epoxy application.  I saw the results 4-5 years ago but the difference was at least a factor of two, and might well have been higher. 


Robert M. Simon