West epoxy winter time

Have you seen this?
5 Tips for Applying Epoxy Coatings in Cold Weather

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OR THIS?

West-System-transp-2.jpg


Cold-Temperature Bonding
 
I have a similar problem to the OP.

So is 5 degrees the magic number? I've got a few hours of 7 degrees today, and could potentially aim a heater at it but can't guarantee that.

And is the consequence of getting this wrong simply that it won't cure and I have to wipe it off and start again? (Which wouldn't be a drama.)

Cosmetics are not a concern here.
Hard to say as it depends on the nature of the work/repair, humidity/damp, and the amount of time it has >5 degrees (or inversely how long it has to 'wait' before it warms up again). As a recent 'sample', I did 7 small glass and epoxy patch jobs last week on a day forecast as 10-12 degrees (but dropping right down overnight). 6 of 7 worked perfectly - but one decided it wasn't having it and I found the laminate (cured!) in the bottom of the bilge having dropped off the repair. Factors other than temps could have caused this - but all 7 areas were prepped/applied the same (and I've done this hundreds of times in the past few years). The failed repair was the last one I laminated later in the afternoon and I suspect as it got cold/damp overnight, the weight of the wetted glass took over and it fell off its otherwise prepped/primed area and into the bilge (where, as I said, I did cure perfectly!).

But the short answer is - yes - if it doesn't work, you'll only have a mess to scrape (or more likely sand - as it will eventually cure, but perhaps not 'right') off. It may well work just fine!
 
I have a similar problem to the OP.

So is 5 degrees the magic number? I've got a few hours of 7 degrees today, and could potentially aim a heater at it but can't guarantee that.

And is the consequence of getting this wrong simply that it won't cure and I have to wipe it off and start again? (Which wouldn't be a drama.)

Cosmetics are not a concern here.

Just wait. You really need to be above 5C for the entire cure period, which is MUCH longer than a few hours at this temperature. More like days. So 5C is the minimum during the cure period.
 
Its all coming back to me now, as the song goes. West epoxy is particularly sensitive to amine blush if the conditions are cold and damp as they are at this time of year. This can prevent layers bonding well together. The resin will still go off but the overall result wont be what it should be.

I remember using heat inside the boat when I did the work above. Lots of years ago but I think it was a hair dryer to warm the bits I was bonding
 
Infra red bulbs available from farm / poultry supply places, work a treat, for flattish or curved surfaces try an electric blanket. You can use epoxy year round - but pay attention to the viscosity of the resin so that the matrix gets properly consolidated - and under no cirumstances allow any moisture to get into the job, or be there before you start. Be careful with the heat and don't leave unattended for too long, setting fire to the job isn't good progress.
 
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