MisterDrow Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 (Feel free to move this if it should go somewhere else) So I've got some 30-minute epoxy at home and the label says that it needs to cure at temperatures over 70 degrees... now that Fall is nearing its end and Winter is coming (hehe) my garage shop tends to be around 55-60 when I'm out there working. I can get a bigger heater to get temps up but that's for another post. My question is, will the epoxy not cure properly if I try to do it at lower temps? I can bring the work piece inside, if need be, but my wife isn't super keen on me taking up the dining room table while epoxy dries... For context, I'm using it to fill in some bug holes in the blue pine on top of my garbage cabinet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 My experience with epoxy has been that it will cure properly at lower temps, just takes longer. Sometimes a lot longer. Not like with PVA, where if temps are too low it will ruin the glue & it'll never cure. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterDrow Posted November 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 As a related question... are there low-temperature glues? I'm just now learning about chalking with PVA and there have been several things I've made in the past that I glued up when it was about 10 degrees below the chalk temp... but those things are holding up just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pwk5017 Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 I thought chalking occurred around 32°? Ive used west systems in my basement frequently at the 60°+/- mark. Heck, even in the summer its rarely over 68 down there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 West system epoxy when used with their 205 hardener can be used down to 40F. My opinion with the material you have is that if it states that it requires temps over 70 to fully cure, then it may not be the best choice for your situation (unless you bring it inside :-).. What I suspect would happen in cold temps is that the material would gel, but not fully cure leaving you with somewhat of a rubber'y filler. Just sneak the pieces in the house after she goes to bed :-) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterDrow Posted November 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 14 minutes ago, Boatworks Today said: Just sneak the pieces in the house after she goes to bed :-) Easier to ask forgiveness than permission, right? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tpt life Posted November 28, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 Electric blankets. This is a wise cold shop investment. You don't need to heat the whole space. Put one on the table/bench. Put a layer of glue protectant like plastic. Put your clamped project on next, then tent over the top. The same concept can work with space heaters, but most get too hot. Just be sure to pre-warm your pieces. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterDrow Posted November 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 That's a fantastic idea, @C Shaffer! Thanks for that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted November 28, 2016 Report Share Posted November 28, 2016 I think Steve @wdwerker suggested the idea for a similar purpose a while back. Whoever it was, it stuck with me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted November 29, 2016 Report Share Posted November 29, 2016 Yep, cold weather and the vacuum veneer press = electric blanket . Smart idea to preheat the wood before assembly too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diane Posted November 30, 2016 Report Share Posted November 30, 2016 I would advise against it. When you have an epoxy with directions stating to cure at 70 and you are trying to cure it in 50-60 degrees, you will end up with blotchy and uneven curing, and quite possible parts that don't cure at all. Try tenting the item and using a small closed source heater. You can usually get the temp pretty close...if you have the supplies. A word of caution. So many people want to touch the surface to see if it has cured. Avoid the urge! Test it in a hidden spot so you don't ruin the finish if it hasn't fully cured. I know that sounds like a no-brainer, but I can't tell you how many apprentices don't remember that rule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjm1580 Posted February 11, 2017 Report Share Posted February 11, 2017 What about once the epoxy is applied, placing the piece in the sun for a higher temperature if applicable to advance the curing temperature? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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