Glen-L.com

Here's another noobie question from yours truly.. I've just turned over my TNT and I'm planning on encapsulating as one of my next steps. Since cold weather is fast approaching, will I run into problems using epoxy with cold, or possibly, below freezing temperatures? The only thing I've heard about epoxy in cold temperatures is that it takes longer to cure.

I do have a couple kerosene heaters going when I'm in the shop, and I suppose I could keep them running all day or however long the epoxy needs to properly set.. if that's what needs to be done.

I assume this info would apply to fiberglassing the hull as well?

Don't know what resins you plan to use, but System Three has some information regarding curing temperatures on their website. I think you would want to maintain some minimum above freezing temps until fully cured. Check them out.

Roberta

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Roberta
Built Zip "Oliver IV" and Super Spartan "Jimmy 70"

I worked through much of the winter in my unheated garage.

When it is really cold, there is not much you can do.

Check the specs for your epoxy to find the minimum temperature for it to kick. Mine was about 40F.

When the garage was in that range, I used an infrared heater pointed at the area that was curing.

Before I turned the hull, I used space heaters underneath it to create a little "heat bubble" inside the hull. That allowed me to continue my cold molding without heating the whole garage.

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Bruce.

~~ Do what you love, and love what you do. ~~
~~ To me - only my boat is not yet perfect. Everybody else's is to be admired for I know the path they have walked (Dave Lott, 2010) ~~
Dow's Monaco Project

Thanks, I will be using the Glen-L poxy-shield for the ecapsulating. I suppose I will be ready to ecapsulate before the real cold temps hit here in upstate NY.

Do a websearch and have a read on using propane or kerosene heaters to heat when trying to keep epoxy warm.

I remember reading something from West System about not using them - something about getting hydrocarbons in the epoxy which is apparently a really bad thing.

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Graham

Yes, Plywood is "real" wood

A "professional" is someone who gets paid for their work - it doesn't necessarily mean they are good at it

Kerosene could be bad as the fumes may be oily and could impede the adhesion, not to mention the headaches from working in a room heated that way.

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Roberta
Built Zip "Oliver IV" and Super Spartan "Jimmy 70"

I used Glen-L epoxy for my first boat and built it through the winter here in MA. I used a slow hardener for the whole build.

- The big key to making this work.......Store the epoxy at room temps!
- Plan your work out so that you allow a few days for curing. I worked on my boat very part-time and couldn't work on the boat every day.
- I worked through the whole winter except for about a 4 week period during a real cold spell in late January. It was too cold for me, not the epoxy.

I much prefer to work in cooler temps The longer working time allows one to work wet-on-wet. For a S&G boat, this is great because you can put the fillet down and all of the glass laminations in one session.

Watch for runs. They may be unavoidable. Cool epoxy is thicker than warm epoxy. For example., if you are encapsulating the word, you may put on a thicker coat than you thought. As it starts to cure, it will warm up some and may run on you. No big deal, but don't be surprised.

Build your boat on a rolling dolly if you can. There is nothing like a little sun to speed things up!

As mentioned, a small electric heater or even a couple of light bulbs under the hull will work wonders for the cure time.

Good info, glad someone has had hands on experience with epoxy in the cold. I'm not too worried about cure time but more worried about a good bond. I could apply the glue Sunday night and let it cure until the next weekend if I have to.

by the way, no kerosene heaters. There is always some un-burned fuel in the exhaust (the heat). It gets into the air and lands on your boat. If you need/want a heater, go with electric.

I ended up getting us-composites 2 gallon epoxy kit, they say I can use it in temps down to 55 degrees. Sunday it's supposed to be around 50 so I'm thinking of doing it then.

I'm just having trouble deciding whether or not to do it now or wait until spring when I paint the inside. Over winter I plan to get everything mocked up (steering routed, all electronics in their place, seats, ect..) so I can remove it all and paint. I'll probably wait on the epoxy so I can do it all in one shot and ensure a clean surface for the paint to bond to.

Hi
I built the Squirt in my one car, unheated garage last winter. I used a small 20 dollar heater from H.D, and it worked fine. I also draped a thick quilt over the double doors for more heat retention. The electric bill went up considerably, a small price to pay for year round building. I'd leave it on all night, after using the epoxy, or when I painted. I live in Ct., where temps can go well below freezing, and never missed a night to work on her!!!
Bob Lemay