Noobie Epoxy Question

Pun

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Messages
128
So I just started prepping all my wood for epoxy resin. I mixed up a small batch of Raka slow curing resin and mixed in some wood flour to peanut butter consistency. I'm working in a 68 degree shop. Filled in some voids and chips and a half hour later the stuff is still soft. It claims to have a pot life of 25 minutes. I've never messed with the stuff before. Should I worry? it doesnt seem to be curing, or if it is, it's curing really slow.
 

Paul Moir

Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
6,847
Re: Noobie Epoxy Question

No, don't worry. It'll take a long while before curing noticably.
 

Rockchalk

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jan 10, 2005
Messages
82
Re: Noobie Epoxy Question

I have always taken "pot life" as the amount of time you have to get material mixed and applied. Small amounts of epoxy do not generate much heat on their own and will cure slow. Larger amounts (like your mixing pot) will generate more heat and cure faster... Possibly too fast. I once had A guy explain it this way... "The hotter it gets the faster it cures and the faster it cures the hotter it gets" Its fun stuff!
 

breton26

Seaman
Joined
Apr 3, 2005
Messages
51
Re: Noobie Epoxy Question

Check out the West System website for all the info you could possible need about epoxy.
 

Pun

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Messages
128
Re: Noobie Epoxy Question

Thanks, guys. I was freakin out there for a while. Hopefully, I'll have one coat on all the ply by the end of tomorrow, and get the floor screwed in and the edges filled and taped by Friday, which will meean glassing in over the weekend. <br /><br />Incedentally, I bought pumps for my gallon jugs. Are they accurate enough to use as measurement tools? (ie 8 pumps of resin, 4 pumps of hardner for 2:1)
 

Pun

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Messages
128
Re: Noobie Epoxy Question

Woop! Got to work this morning and the stuff was HARD as a ROCK! I have a few small pieces of wood to cut and then I start the initial encasement! Progress!
 

fishingdan

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 12, 2005
Messages
1,045
Re: Noobie Epoxy Question

<br />Incedentally, I bought pumps for my gallon jugs. Are they accurate enough to use as measurement tools? (ie 8 pumps of resin, 4 pumps of hardner for 2:1)
They are not very accurate. With a 2:1 ratio, you have more room for error than you would if you were using an epoxy system that used a 5:1 ratio. The point is, the pumps are easily affected by temp, clogging, and general wear and tear. You can keep them working pretty well if you keep your epoxy a consistant room temp and keep the pumps clean.<br /><br />To me, I find it easiest to use the pumps to dispense the epoxy or resin into measuring cups and then pour those into a mixing bowl.
 

Pun

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Messages
128
Re: Noobie Epoxy Question

hmm, I checked my pumps and they seem to measure accurately so far. I'll do some more testing today.
 

Realgun

Commander
Joined
Jul 31, 2003
Messages
2,484
Re: Noobie Epoxy Question

Thats strange the pumps I got work very well and I have not touched them but only transfered then from bottle to bottle. Been 5 bottles so far. :) <br />Accurate as the day I paid for them last year.<br /><br />Pun I would suggest two coats of epoxy to really encapsulate the wood.
 

Pun

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Messages
128
Re: Noobie Epoxy Question

yeah man, everything's getting two coats, the edges get three. :)
 

Pun

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Messages
128
Re: Noobie Epoxy Question

I hope I've learned something from you all. I've been reading here for a year now. :) <br /><br />installed, taped and epoxied the floor to the ski well this morning. First time I ever messed with fiberglass. All the tape is nice and clear and the wood is a nice tight fit, Tomorrow I'll cloth the entire thing and start the main floor. I'm kicking this job in the a$$, boys!
 
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