How long does it take for 3M 5200 to cure?

[billh1963]

I filled a couple of transom holes on my Whaler this past Sunday and the 3M 5200 I used is still very tacky. The directions say it should not be tacky after 48 hours. Does this stuff have a shelf life? I thought I had read before that it should come out of the tube easily but I had to use a lot of pressure to apply it. Any ideas?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: How long does it take for 3M 5200 to cure?

It's supposed to loose it's tackiness after 48hrs at 25°C, and 50% humidity. Is it a little colder where your applying it? It should be applied where it will be above 5°C.<br />It takes around 7 days to fully cure.<br />The shelf life is 1 year, but I think it would harden up in the tube rather than stay tacky.<br />Lots of pressure sounds right. Especially if it's at all cold.

 

[bubbakat]

Re: How long does it take for 3M 5200 to cure?

bill I live in tenn and I also used some on my boat last week and with the weather the way it is it cured in about three days.

 

[rjarreau]

Re: How long does it take for 3M 5200 to cure?

When I did my promaster at the begining of the year, I used it in several places and down here in Louisiana during Feb. it was in the 45-60 Degree range and man It never totally hardend up so I got pissed and removed all of it with aceatone. Perhaps with a little more time It would have cured but I gave it a week and It was still tacky. But time was a factor in my project !!!!Good Luck<br /><br /> http://community.webshots.com/user/reeltime123

 

[billh1963]

Re: How long does it take for 3M 5200 to cure?

Thanks, everyone. It's been cool weather since Monday so maybe I'll give it another day or two.

 

[DJ]

Re: How long does it take for 3M 5200 to cure?

Put a light on it, such as a yard spotlight. Just warm the area up to about 70 degrees. That will speed up the process tremendously.

 

[thehermit]

Re: How long does it take for 3M 5200 to cure?

for the next time there is always the "fast cure" tube.

 

[ThomWV]

Re: How long does it take for 3M 5200 to cure?

I don't even try to touch that stuff until after about 4 days and then only in the summer. In the winter if I have to use it I try not to disturb whatever it is for a couple of weeks.