How long resin is good for?

[Robert D]

I found 2 unopened gallons of unwaxed polyester resin in my shop.......purchased in 2009. Think they are still useable, or toss them out?

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: How long resin is good for?

they were purchased in2009, but do the cans have any mfg date? labels may even list a shelf life, depends on the brand

 

[Robert D]

Re: How long resin is good for?

No date on them. Purchased from Fiberglas site back in 2009. I'm thinking unwaxed resin, unopened should be just fine?

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: How long resin is good for?

U.S. Composites (who most iboaters order from) says their resin is only good for 3 months. I had some from them and it went clumpy at about that amount of time. I wouldn't risk it.

Sea ya...

 

[Robert D]

Re: How long resin is good for?

What do you mean 'went clumpy'....you mean when it started to harden, as in unevenly maybe?

 

[dtj]

Re: How long resin is good for?

Run a test sample, mix resin and hardener, see if it reacts and cures hard..........if so its good, if bad it will not chemically react and will remain liquid or a soft mush...........Don

 

[Tropax]

Re: How long resin is good for?

they often get like jello with age... i have used som og them but only what was still licuit. you can just pour the liquid in another container and use it and throw away the jello/clumps

 

[ondarvr]

Re: How long resin is good for?

The listed shelf life for most resins is 3 months, but that doesn't mean it won't work fine after that, only that some of the properties may have drifted out of spec after that.

The cure rate and properties will change with time and the rate of change can be tough to predict, plus it can vary with storage conditions. Three years is very old though, it may be a solid block in the can, or very lumpy, and even if it is still in a liquid state the final cured (if it will cure) properties won't be as good.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: How long resin is good for?

if it comes out of the container like the goo in a spam can, then its bad

if you just start adding the MEKP and it turns to a nasty ball of goo, then its bad

best you can do, is mix a test sample.

 

[Robert D]

Re: How long resin is good for?

Thanks for the info! In light of the project being a boat, instead of something like a plastic flower pot.....I'll add some hardener and see if I can't get it to harden up before tossing it in the garbage! (Probably the only way to dispose of it.....otherwise it's hazmat I suppose.)

 

[snowman48047]

Re: How long resin is good for?

Depends also on what your using it for. I used some 2-3 year old epoxy to seal the new plywood deck in my boat. Resin had lumps but just dug em out and mixed it real good. Worked fine and its cover with vinyl so it wasn't in need of a A1, grade A finish.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: How long resin is good for?

Thanks for the info! In light of the project being a boat, instead of something like a plastic flower pot.....I'll add some hardener and see if I can't get it to harden up before tossing it in the garbage! (Probably the only way to dispose of it.....otherwise it's hazmat I suppose.)

Pop the can open and then tell us whats inside LOL ..

I have gel thats been in a fridge that lasted longer than that !

If its gelled up then toss it .. if its kinda thick then put some styrene in it and use it for fillers ( after testing for cure ).

YD.

 

[bgc]

Re: How long resin is good for?

Are you looking to use this on a boat or another project. If its expired and you want it for the boat, let it be and get fresh.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: How long resin is good for?

What do you mean 'went clumpy'....you mean when it started to harden, as in unevenly maybe?

Tropax called it. clumpy = jello

If you are using it for something structural on the boat, why risk weakness?

Sea ya...