Epoxy filler in cold weather

[Avocet]

I've just put some epoxy filler on the boat as it seemed a nice day and the air temperature (on the sunny side of the boat anyway, was 11 degrees. Unfortunately, there's a frost forecast tonight and, although it has started to set, the surface was still pretty tacky an hour ago. I know it shouldn't be used below 10 degrees but I thought it would set before the temperature dropped below that. Does anyone know if it will come to any harm or if it will just carry on curing tomorrow when the sun comes up?

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[david_bagshaw]

It will apear to have cured, when it warms up, but anything can happen, making it more likely to fail, creep, split etc, so, if it is in a critical position do again on a warmer day.



<hr width=100% size=1>David
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.euroboating.net>http://www.euroboating.net</A>

 

[Chef]

Or use a hair-dryer to accelerate process...?!

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[steve_cronin]

I try never to use any two pack below 16C 60F.

I'm waiting for some gelcoat work on my boat in Athens at the moment and I've changed my flight details twice so far because of the weather (Snow closed Eleftherios Venizelos airport yesterday!)

Steve Cronin



<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[oldsaltoz]

If you have mains power available, a larg lamp should provide enough heat, but any method of increasing the temperature will cure it, try another 30% hardner in the next batch and boroow a 1500 watt lamp.

If this is your mast step project, place some insulation on deck, bags or rags will do.

Old Salt Oz /forums/images/icons/cool.gif Growing old is unavoidable. However, growing up is still optional.

 

[Robin]

You would wait a long time over here then, no wonder your boat is in the Med!

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[steve_cronin]

It will stay cold now in Greece until the feast of Saint Spiridou in April when on Corfu the evils of the winter are hurled from the housetops into the streets below in terra cotta pots. It is a good idea to look up frequently.

Steve Cronin


<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[Avocet]

I had an interesting conversation with International's paint department this morning. I told them what I'd done and the chap there seemed to think that as long as the hull and the filler were above 7 degrees when the filler was actually applied AND remained above 7 degrees until the cure process had started (he said the filler could still be tacky at this point but must have started to thicken) it would probably be OK. Apparently, once it starts to sure it will carry on in lower temperatures -albeit very slowly. That said, there were only a few patches and they're very shallow so it won't take me long to grind them out and re-do them when (IF!) we ever get any warmer weather!

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[ean_p]

I understand that 5C is the lowest recomended temp as eventhough the cure is chemical the temp is required to remove solvents within the mix.....it will still cure albeit much more slowly and it will leave a surface film (known as an arimine blush or some such) that needs to be removed when cured by washing with soapy water before anymore epoxy is applied. The film gives the surface a waxy feel and prevents good adhesion of following applications. Or so I've been told !!

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[DickB]

I did the same a couple of weekends ago... Filler took ages to cure but appears to be fine now. Much longer than expected. Anyway, now all the hard work... sanding and polishing (Used Marine Plastic Padding for Underwater)...

<hr width=100% size=1>Dick

 

[Avocet]

Well, hands-up everyone who said it would give problems!

It looks like you were all right!

I admit it's been a cold few weeks but today was quite warm so this afternoon I went down and tried to sand down the patches of filler on the South-facing side of the hull. The surface was good and hard - too hard to push my car key into but as soon as I broke through the top surface, the sanding disc began to clog. I carried on down and by the time I was back to bare hull (only a millimetre or two) it was distinctly tacky! It did, however, appear to have adhered quite well and I suppose it might still have cured one day, but for the relatively small amount of work involved (at least when compared with the worry), I think I'll dig it out and have another go when the weather wrms up a bit more.



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[timevans2000]

I have been repairing my hull where the original epoxy coating is missing. We have been using Hempel epoxy filler. It says dont use below 5 degrees C. We have been putting it on one weekend and sanding it the next. The weather has been pretty cold. Just above 5 degrees when applied. Lots of frost at night. We have had no problem with sanding back the following week.



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