RE: thinning epoxy
You can thin the epoxy with a little bit of alcohol. Don't put any more in than is needed.
An even better solution is to use your heat gun. Use an epoxy brush to paint a little bit of epoxy on, then use your heat gun which will cause the epoxy to thin and flow into the grain. After your firewall is coated, let it dry normally.
Either way will coat your firewall
Hope this helps.