Out-of-date Epoxy

[Amulet]

I have a half gallon of West epoxy which is a few months past it's expiry date. I want to use it to stick together a cold box.

Does anyone know if and how the raw resin degrades over time? It looks perfectly normal, and I used some a couple of weeks ago for a small filling job and it seemed fine.

 

[boatbuilder]

It will be ok for non structural work, just keep it warm and any crystalisation will go back into the resin.

 

[Graham66]

It is normally the curing agent that "goes" Speak with West before purchasing new curing agent

 

[Pasarell]

Almost certainly perfectly OK if it's been stored at a reasonable temperature. Most paint manufacturers will quote a shelf life of one year but be happy for quite a lot longer provided the material is unopened and has been kept in good conditions.
As Graham says best thing is to give Wessex Resins a call

 

[Searush]

After 30 years the tin will rust thro' & the resin goes solid - just don't ask how I know this . . .

 

[Ruffles]

I used some West epoxy 4 years out of date. Mixed up a test batch and it was fine. Suggest you do the same.

 

[DownWest]

A few months is nothing, I have used stuff over 6 yrs old. Test pieces first, and just in case, did not hold the keel on with it. The hardener tends to go darker, but my supplier (the factory) says OK, no prob. (this was for stuff about 5mths over due)
On another forum this came up and many posted that due to where they lived, they rarely got it in date and several used it years after the sell by in structural work.
A

 

[matelot]

never knew the resin had an out of date date. I have used the stuff for structural jobs on my boat when its been 5 years old. the manufacturers say dont worry.

the hardener goes yellow and starts to stink of ammonia but will still work for a while after it starts to degrade