Epoxy primer in "cool" weather

B

Benny

I've got some parts with some exposed bare metal that I'd like to prime, and paint. I live in San Diego, so we are having daytime temps in the low-80's, and night time temps into the 50's.

I really have no way to keep my parts warm, except for a small infrared lamp. I'm concerned that the weather is now too cool for epoxy, as I seem to remember a rule of thumb that it should be kept at 70 degrees for 24 hours after spraying.

Are my current conditions too cool? If so, is there another option for priming parts with some exposed bare metal?
 
Are you talking about spot priming or entire panel priming?
I believe the minimum temp was 65 degrees. In the winter here in NY I keep my garage at 65 and the epoxy cured just fine. If in doubt then keep an IR lamp directed at it but not too close.
 
If you get the parts primed in the AM and can let it sit in the sun in the PM you'll be fine. Alternatively do your priming one day, next day set it in the sun, no worries.
 
I am sure there are people out there like me that spray epoxy when the shop temp is barely 50 during the day during the winter.
 
MikeS said:
Are you talking about spot priming or entire panel priming?
Click to expand...

Good question. It's not an entire panel, but the jambs of a door, and the door window frame.

So, there are whole sections that are in bare metal, but none are particularly large by themselves.
 
Being you are in San Diego it's almost a non issue. Spray it when it's at least 65 degrees in your shop/garage. If there is any doubt that the temps will be 65-70 in the shop for 24 hours then take the parts outside and let them sit in the sun for several (4-8) hours. Like I said before you could spray one day and then let them sit in the sun the next day. Sun will accelerate the cure.
The sun is the best cure lamp there is.
 
I learned the hard way not to let new epoxy go below 65°F. That's surface temps, guys, not air temps. Nobody wants to hear it, so I just leave it to the SPI tech support crew to tell folks why their epoxy didn't cure. In the winter, our heat stays on 24/7 if there's anything curing. Yes, it's expensive.
 
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