Epoxy in winter.

Barry

Paint Fanatic
Staff member
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I spend a lot of time on the phone from fall to winter due to our warnings on keeping the temperature proper but one thing that shocks people is I will say
If you get metal temp up and booth up to temp and spray cold epoxy, you should just not do it, period...
The hot plate shown is worth its weight in gold.
Think about this, heat in the shop overnight is 55 degs; if you measure inside epoxy temp, it will be in the 50-degree range.
In just a few mins you can raise the epoxy to 80 85 degrees in the can, just stir every 5 mins, and epoxy holds eat great.
Yesterday we made red and gray epoxy; before going to the filling station, I get the batch to 100 to 110 degs for faster filling; an hour after done the can still be around 80 degs
 
I should add im not using a hot plate to heat the batch
The viscosity with the mixer will raise the temp just by mixing and, depending on speed, how fast.
I just started the mixer at about 6 am on the red, and by 8, it will be in the 100-degree range to fill this morning.
 

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Barry, I would not be doing my job as your unofficial, unhonorary unsolicited science adviser if I did not tell you that that is a hot plate, not a bunsen burner. If it were a bunsen burner, I'd be saying watch out!

I keep all my primer in the house, in the basement during winter months. It's always warm then.
 
Barry, I would not be doing my job as your unofficial, unhonorary unsolicited science adviser if I did not tell you that that is a hot plate, not a bunsen burner. If it were a bunsen burner, I'd be saying watch out!

I keep all my primer in the house, in the basement during winter months. It's always warm then.
I stand corrected and corrected my post; thank you!!!!!!!
Never really gave it any thought, duh me.
 
Great tip! Better to warm before activating? The activator is going to be just as cool as the epoxy.
Would hate to get interrupted (happens all day every day) and come back to a hockey puck :).
 
Barry, I would not be doing my job as your unofficial, unhonorary unsolicited science adviser if I did not tell you that that is a hot plate, not a bunsen burner. If it were a bunsen burner, I'd be saying watch out!

I keep all my primer in the house, in the basement during winter months. It's always warm then.
same... I keep it next to the boiler
 
Great tip! Better to warm before activating? The activator is going to be just as cool as the epoxy.
Would hate to get interrupted (happens all day every day) and come back to a hockey puck :).
It will warm faster if mixed as activator thins it
 
Somewhere, in a thread or tech sheets, Barry recommended getting an IR thermometer.
Great tip! Nice to know the actual metal and fluid temp, which is often several degrees different than air temp.
I got this one on Amazon for ~ $28. Works great!

Etekcity Temperature Gun Non-Contact Digital Lasergrip for Cooking, Home Repairs & Maintenance (Not for Human), 58℉ to 716℉ (-50℃ to 380℃), Yellow and Black
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00837ZGR...abc_T8JP086Q3X5R36DVE09J?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
 
It will warm faster if mixed as activator thins it
When I make a batch of 200 to 300 gallons, the blending batch will be 115 to 130 degrees.
To start my testing, I will dip out a half quart and mix right away
with activator, and that will bring the temp down to about 85 degrees. 5 to 10 minutes in the fridge will drop the temp to 70 to 72 degrees so I can start my testing.
So to answer your question, the activator does change things
 
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