Replies

1. 
   bill_1010 | Feb 25, 2003 11:34pm | #1

   your best bet is to use an epoxy with a longer open time.   I know West has an epoxy resin part thats made for longer opentime.  Im sure other quality epoxy companies offer an epoxy resin/hardener with longer open times.  CHilling will only make the epoxy harder to work with.  The curing comes from a reaction, and if you applied cold epoxy to warm parts there will be condensation. While it really wont make a structural defect it will make cosmetic defects. 

2. 
   Steve1 | Feb 26, 2003 12:41am | #2

   have worked with west system epoxy for many years repairing fibreglass boats and would recommend their slow hardener in hot weather, it makes a huge difference. Cooling the resin will help a bit but not lower than 60 F

   Bear in mind that appling the resin to the warm substrate will warm the resin up in ahurry

1. 
   TXJon | Feb 26, 2003 12:54am | #3

   Does the slow hardener produce a good clear finish?  I do not want to paint this.

   I last used epoxy from Raka.  It looks good, but at 90+ degrees I had less than 5 minutes to work with it.  I had some penetration issues I hope to avoid on the next project.

   Jon

1. 
   Steve1 | Feb 26, 2003 01:18am | #4

   sorry jon cant answer that one but try on some scraps first and see

   west system as a rule does dry or set clear in my experience but try it out first because its bitch to remove

2. 
   bill_1010 | Feb 26, 2003 04:09am | #6

   The west epoxy i used was slow hardener and it dried crystal clear. 

   #206 is the slow hardener from West.

3. 
   PaulReuter | Feb 26, 2003 02:15am | #5

   I would reccommend West System using slow hardener.  Epoxy cures by exothermic reaction, i.e. the chemicals mixed create heat causing the resin to cure.  That heat can be controlled somewhat by, after mixing, pour it into a shallow pan while you work with it.  That way the heat isn't concentrated in a small area so it doesn't "kick" so soon.  Another way of looking at it is the resin in your pot always "kicks" before what you've applied because the applied layer is thinner and much of the exothermic heat is radiated and lost causing the cure rate to slow down.

4. 
   RickL750 | Feb 26, 2003 04:29pm | #7

   For more info go to http://www.westsystem.com/ and click on product guide.

   Good luck,

   RickL

1. 
   hmthomas | Feb 26, 2003 04:59pm | #8

   I built a strip built kayak and used the System Three products. I lived in the tropics at the time (90 degree weather) and used the slow setting hardener too. It gives you more working time, dries crystal clear and seems to be just as hard. Check out their website at http://www.systemthree.com/index.htmlery

   I'm not afilliated with them in any way, just a satisfied customer.