Epoxy and temperature

[Habanero]

I just got some and it says "never apply in temperature below 75 degrees" :confused: now it's warmer here than many other US locations but the house is generally set at 65 and of course the garage where I work is colder than that.

Does this really mean it just will not work at all? Or just take longer to dry? I guess I have to buy a personal room heater to use this product or wait for summer :mad:

[Aerominded]

What brand are you using? I frequently use epoxy below 75*... down to 60* or so- cooler temps just slow the 'cure' time...

[patmat2350]

Don't know which brand you have, but I regularly use West, Evercoat, and Zpoxy in the low 60's. If I want faster than overnight hard cure, I'll point a space heater at it... a big help!

[Habanero]

It's Finish -Cure 20 min they recommended it because it's thin and so better at soaking into the wood.

[Habanero]

Maybe I should have stated it is simply to protect a boat deck not to fasten stuff... guess I'll just get a heater they are not expensive anyway.

[tghsmith]

taking any and all safety measures, put it in a large box with a lamp..or just point a spot lamp on it, no need to heat the whole room....

[tigerbay]

Humidity is also a factor. If where you are is dry climate you will ahve fewer problems.

At 75 deg it will difinatley go off. I think this is a bit of CMA from the manufaturer.

[Habanero]

Thanks for all the replies - I tried it last night I think it was in the 50's :p my little lamp didn't put out much heat.

Still wet this morning Target had a clearance on a space heater set put one on it and about 30 minutes much dryer but still leaves fingerprints is this normal? I'm thinking the cold start might have prevented the stuff from bonding altogether.

[Aerominded]

Now, 50 is on the cool side... ;) As long as it was mixed completely, you should be ok- just keep it warm (inside room temp is fine)... if you did the finger test right after having it next to the heater, some resins soften when heated and can 'print'... (once cooled, it hardens again)


"finish-cure 20 min"... this is a coating resin that cures in 20 minutes? We need to get you into West System products! ;)

[der kapitan]

"Finish cure time 20 min.---? :rolleyes:

Uh yeah Aero, I think this guy should change products with a promise like that---. :p

Even hot-mixing polyester resin won't give you cure times like that---. ;)

What he's got will probably be okay in time, but one or two of those little
space heaters is a good investment for future work. :)

[Habanero]

Now, 50 is on the cool side... ;) As long as it was mixed completely, you should be ok- just keep it warm (inside room temp is fine)... if you did the finger test right after having it next to the heater, some resins soften when heated and can 'print'... (once cooled, it hardens again)


"finish-cure 20 min"... this is a coating resin that cures in 20 minutes? We need to get you into West System products! ;)Your'e right after it cooled it is pretty hard now.

What is really weird is that I was careful to measure it out equally but one bottle is going faster how does that happen?

[Kinetikx]

one bottle is going faster how does that happen?

Were you measuring by weight or volume?

[boater_dave]

Could the finish cure time be the window to add a second coat without the need for full cure and sanding?
Just a thought.

Dave

[Habanero]

Were you measuring by weight or volume?
Volume- on the little measuring cup it say 2-4-6 drams

Filled up to the 2 with one- then filled to 4 drams with the other mixed it and brushed it on straight from the cup. It is the hardener which went faster very strange anyway seems to have done the trick.