Using epoxy resins during these cold months

[Maxum21]

well i've started my floor/deck replacement project on my boat..Ive worked with epoxy many times in the past, but only during summer months. There seems to be a grey area regarding temperature uses. For ex, i believe west marine states a minimum of 60deg to cure correctly. System three says thier epoxy can be used in 35-40degree temps. Ive read guys using epoxy in cold temperatures, saying "as long as its above 32*, it will cure, just takes alot longer" so whats the truth?...unfortunately i dont have a big enough garage to work in. So, how do you guys without garages work on your boats during the winter? I know i'm not alone.
btw, i bought a 10'x20' carport from pep boys for $129.00.. if any of you guys were looking for some shelter.. gotta watch out for the snow on it though

 

[sprintst]

Re: Using epoxy resins during these cold months

All the manufacters say different things to cover their butt in case.

I do know from using it at about 40-50 deg it did take a hell of a lot longer to setup but it eventually did. This was using an East systems epoxy which is a knockoff of the West systems stuff.

A space heater is definately the way to go for some peace of mind so you can sleep at night

 

[erikpn]

Re: Using epoxy resins during these cold months

I just epoxied the deck. All the sections are in the 2nd den of my house, which is 70 degrees and setting. I have them put up on low tables with cardboard and spare blankets around to catch any drips.

 

[86 century]

Re: Using epoxy resins during these cold months

I made the mistake of falling asleap one nite and my garage cooled off(fire went out wood stove) the lay up i hade made was junk never did set it was in the low 40. my .02 good luck

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Using epoxy resins during these cold months

Epoxy will get hard at low temps, its hard to say just how low you can go and still have it get hard in a reasonable amount of time though, because epoxy likes to drain out of the glass on vertical surfaces if left unattended. Use the fast hardeners if the temps will be low.

It won't achieve good physical properties until its been heated up at a later date though.

 

[TitanTea]

Re: Using epoxy resins during these cold months

I have a 1500 sq ft shop that I have been working in. I only heat it when I'm in the shop. I heat it up to 60 degrees when I'm in it but no heat when I'm not. Its too expensive to heat when not in use. I have used about 2 1/2 gallons of epoxy so far on my retore and it does set up in cold weather it just takes longer. I have some small pieces of plywood I coated with epoxy and after a week it still has a slight tack to it. Its been in the teens at night and 30's during the day. This week it has warmed up and is in the 50's during the day and 30's at night so Im expecting the epoxy to set up a bit quicker.

Cold weather sucks

 

[lime4x4]

Re: Using epoxy resins during these cold months

I working outside in the northeast. I have the boat tarped and i use a propane forced air heater. I do my epoxy work then crank up the heater and come back a couple hours later. To shut the heater off. After 4 to 6 hours of having the heater running the epoxy is pretty much cured. I'm using west epoxy with fast hardner

 

[Maxum21]

Re: Using epoxy resins during these cold months

yes, cold weather does suck! i wanna be out on the water when it gets warm out, not in my backyard working on it lol.. but thanks for all the tips. i'll try using a space heater, then throw a cover over it. I do have a propane forced air heater too, but i would be too nervous about leaving that in the boat. You really need to keep an eye on that. I was even thinking of getting an enclosure kit for my carport, but i think it would be hard for my propane heater to heat it up. the plastic/vinyl isnt good insulation and theres lots of areas for the warm air to escape...

 

[lime4x4]

Re: Using epoxy resins during these cold months

I feel the same way. When it gets warm on want to be on the water. My boat is rather large so using a heater works out good for me. I epoxied a peice of wood outside. it took over 2 weeks for it to cure. But that is with temps of 10 above to 30 degs.

 

[McGR]

Re: Using epoxy resins during these cold months

I just prepared some plywood deck boards yesterday using the West systems epoxy with the fast hardner. I have two small space heaters that get my garage up to about 54 degrees. I laid the epoxy on there at about 5M yesterday. When I went to bed at 11M they were still tacky. I turned the heat off overnight (I don't trust those cheap heaters). This morning they were cured enough to work with.

I've got some more boards curing now that I did at about 9:AM this morning. I'm hoping they cure in a few hours so I can finish off this portion of my project.

 

[Maxum21]

Re: Using epoxy resins during these cold months

do you guys know where i can buy resin filler/additives. I need a filler to thicken up the resin but maintain strength. West Marine sells it but theyre too expensive. Any where else i can get it?

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Using epoxy resins during these cold months

do you guys know where i can buy resin filler/additives. I need a filler to thicken up the resin but maintain strength. West Marine sells it but theyre too expensive. Any where else i can get it?

uscomposites.com...I've used their cabosil...same stuff basically as the west system "colloidal silica" and a crapload cheaper.

 

[Maxum21]

Re: Using epoxy resins during these cold months

ok thanks!