How long to wait - Epoxy Primer

H

hoodun

I'm sure this has been covered but I am having trouble finding it in a search:

I just sprayed some full strength epoxy to bare metal and over some body work. 24hrs later it is still tacky. I need to sand out some fish eyes (I'm guessing because gun was not adjusted correctly) and fix some areas that are not feathered correctly and then the time has finally come to seal, base, and clear.

How long do I need to wait before sanding, and before starting to seal? I know Epoxy Primer takes 7 days to fully cure... I will be going over it with more Epoxy Primer (sealer) though and just need to sand it.
 
W.A.R.;41304 said:
In those 24hrs did the temps get below 65*?
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Temps yesterday was 64 with a low of 49. Pretty much what I am looking at for the rest of the month. It was 61 when I sprayed.
 
Epoxy, kept over 60, will be ready for the blocks around 24 hours; and sand well.
 
What was the metal temp? You'll need to get a non contact thermometer to find out. I wouldn't spend any more money (IE waste product) until you can verify that. I've read this forum and the excellent advice enough times to be able to say that :)
 
If it is tacky to the touch, that isn't good. If it is just clogging the sand paper, that is normal, especially with lower temperatures. Keep in mind, the temps need to remain at about 70 for 24 hours after spraying for the epoxy to cure properly. If you sprayed the parts and it was 61 outside, the metal temp was likely in the upper 50s. If the temps dropped overnight and you didn't keep heat on the parts somehow, your epoxy has a really good chance of going dormant and never curing. The only shot you have at a good outcome is to get some heat on those parts right away and keep them heated as long as possible. I have already brought things right into my living room so I didn't have to keep heating the garage.
 
Users almost always over-estimate surface temps by comparing them to air temps in the winter. A non-contact thermometer is a must for body and paint work these days, especially in cold climates.
 
bomccorkle;41306 said:
Epoxy, kept over 60, will be ready for the blocks around 24 hours; and sand well.
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Depends on how many coats he applied. and I aim to keep it over 70 with epoxy.. if it's close to 60 (air temperature) I'm not spraying it.
 
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