Jeff ,you mentioned you tried some cold weather epoxy and it didn't wet out well.
Could it bethe resin was too cold and then thicker,try keeping it around 70F(20C).
I have had good luck with the company below...
LTC 38:
Cold weather epoxy (use in 35 to 65 degree conditions)
Our cold weather (LTC = Low Temperature Cure) clear (marine) epoxy is a non blushing epoxy designed to keep you working during the colder months of the year. Most epoxies need 60 - 70 degrees to really work, although they may still be useable at 50 - 60 degrees. LTC 38 can be used down to about 38 (35??) degrees F. It becomes a bit too fast/quick above 65 degrees. Mix ratio: 3:2.
It takes about 20 minutes for a 5 oz sample at 65 degrees to ‘cure to hard' and about 40 minutes at 55 degrees. 55 degree epoxy applied to a 38 degree surface takes about 45 minutes to cure hard. At 38 degrees an LTC 38 epoxy and fiberglass cloth lamination will take about 8 hours to ‘hard'. This epoxy has a fast 'time to sand' (i.e. "Hard Set" very rigid, provides max strength and abrasion resistance ). Possible slight amine blushing at times.
This is the cold weather (fast cure) version of our Premium No Blush (same Part A resin)
This product reviewed in Professional BoatBuilder Magazine Dec/Jan 2004 CLICK HERE
2.5 gallon kit - $185
80 oz kit (0.62 gal) - $72 including US shipping
40 oz kit (0.31 gal) - $42 including US shipping
25 gallon kit $1525
Never order their product in the 2.5 gallon kit as it comes in gallon cans,but see if you can get a larger size in five gallon pails ,that would heve to be 15 gallons ,so maybe thats too much???
Or just put up with epoxy in one gallon cans ,I like this stuff !
CanuckEclipse