Epoxy primer temp....

O

OJ86

Promoted Users
Ok, I know metal/surface temp is KEY when using epoxy primer. If I lay the primer down on a surface that is 60-70 degrees. How many days does the surface need to maintian that temp before I can back my garage heat down? Also this includes laying a poly primer on top the following day.

would 4-5 days of 60-70 degree surface temp be good?
 
There are a few posts about this very question. My recollection is that you should heat the garage (metal) up to 70 degrees and then shoot the epoxy (induced and warmed). Keep the temperature up in the garage for about 4 hours (longer if possible) to allow the epoxy to start curing.
Seems I read of people spraying it in much colder weather but I don't know how they do that and keep the temperature up long enough. Hopefully someone with more experience in cold weather application will enlighten us.
 
I'm just curious, I am booked solid through this winter but I dont want to keep my garage at 75 degrees all winter, lol
 
Yes sir, I am in the same boat. I need to be spraying epoxy today but its only 40 out and I have a non-insulated 1200 sq. ft. shop. The 150,000 BTU torpedo heater takes an hour or so to warm it up above 70 and to keep it at that level for a day is nearly $30 worth of fuel.
I am installing a 250,000 BTU Lennox propane furnace and it should make life easier but its not in yet.
 
I'm certainly not looking to abuse it or push it and cause myself problems down the road. But if I can turn the garage back to 50's a few days after laying it out that would be great!
 
Keep it at 70 for 4 hours after spraying then back it down to 50.
 
I store my paint etc in the house in the winter to keep their temps stable. Cheaper that maintaining the garage.
 
The poly needs 70 degrees Minimum to cure well but the cure is fairly fast if the activator and temps are good. It sounds like a good reason to buy a heat lamp or some electric blankets. I like it 70 when I spray and let it go down to 60 overnight and never had a problem but the lower it gets the slower things cure. If you start the heat in a cold shop in the morning it may be evening before the metal temps are warm enough even if the air temps came up fast. If you shoot the poly over epoxy that hasn't kicked over decent it will just delay the cure of both products and that can be a mess. JC's electric blanket trick just might be a good way to go for some people, just make sure the primer is cured enough so it don't stick, I've never tried it.
 
I just ran into a messy issue last winter when I didn't know any better. Trying to learn up abit so I don't make the same mistakes twice.
 
Long story short. I used some transtar epoxy. I laid it down at about 60degrees, turned the heat down to 50, came out the next day, all looked well and I put down 3 coat of poly. Started to block the following day and broke through and the epoxy was just gummin up. ended up stripping it all back down and starting over.

I did see the car a few weeks ago and epoxy did shrink in a few spots causing a halo, but its solid red so I'm hoping it buffs out.
 
Another option if you think the temps are marginal is to let the epoxy cure for 2-3 days before you spray the poly. But make sure it's warm when the poly goes on till it kicks over. Cold temps and body materials just don't go well together.
 
Ya I'll probably wait 2-3 days on the epoxy. Get metal temp to 70, scuff it real quick and lay the poly.
 
Bob am I the only one who caught the electric blanket comment?? lol :D
 
Dang right it's true!!!!:):):):)

DSC02576.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top