Epoxy Kick ?
 

This is my first use of bulk epoxy. The ratio is a 3-1.

I used the pumps purchased with the epoxy and made a small batch (3-1) to play around with ( actually 2 batches). The hardener is the medium. According to label has working time of 40-50 minutes and sand time in 2-4 hours.

Yesterday at 2 pm I laid it down. This morning at 730 am it is still tacky????? I am in South West FL. temp. yesterday 75 and overnight about 62.

Any thoughts?

Re: Epoxy Kick ?
 

Is the epoxy soft? or just tacky? Some of these blush, and have a somewhat thin waxy/tacky finish on top that you have to clean off. It has been my experience, working at 70 degrees or less, that it takes a full 24 hours to cure, unless it's in the sun, and that seems to help kick it.

Re: Epoxy Kick ?
 

It is soft, but getting harder (if that makes any sense). Do you think I should also have some fast harder also?

Just trying to get a feel on how the stuff works, so I don't get a real mess on my hands, before I even get going.

Re: Epoxy Kick ?
 

IslandTrader,

Based on my experiences, something is wrong. That stuff should be as hard as a brick, given the time frames you laid out. What brand of epoxy are you using, and are you sure your mix ratios were correct? The pumps are not very accurate and there is a lot of waste associated with them. Next batch, don't use the pumps, just pour into small cups, making sure you get the proper ratio.

Re: Epoxy Kick ?
 

I have been having some troble getting the resin to kick...I think it is the weather...It has been a little cool. I noticed when the temp. changes it takes much much longer for it to go! Im in South Fl. too Humidity/cool weather! I have been mixing it the same way the entire time and during the day it has been kicking in 45 mins or so??? Just my guess-I am using polyester btw.

Re: Epoxy Kick ?
 

I will mix up a new batch today and give it a shot. I will only use the pumps to transfer the stuff and use the measuring cup. I will keep everyone informed.

Re: Epoxy Kick ?
 

You did not say how you are mixing the two.
I would use a paint paddle in a drill.
Doing it with a stick is not as efficient.
Plus if it is below 70 after you applied, it will
take longer to cure. You can always add a touch more hardener to make the mix a little hotter.
Just a thought Terry....

See ya, Ken

Re: Epoxy Kick ?
 

The 3:1 blushes a lot. Is it a horizontal surface? The tack you feel may be blush but like nobones said when using 3:1 with medium hardner and below 70....give it a another day and see what it does.

Re: Epoxy Kick ?
 

Most epoxies will not kick "faster" if you add more hardner, unlike polyester glass. It is a different deal, and you actually degrade some of the properties of epoxy by mis-mixing it. From what I have read, there really are only 2 types of hardeners, fast and slow. Medium is a mixture of the 2. I use slow hardner where I am laminating into wood or coring material to get the max. penetration, and I usually pick cool days/nights, and let it sit for 2 days. For must other stuff, especially horizontals, I use med for larger areas, and fast for smaller ones.
Unlike polyester, epoxy has almost an unlimited shelf life, so I doubt it went bad. The thinner it is spread out, the longer it takes to kick, the thicker, the faster it kicks.
I mix mine with a paint string stick in a small cup, with enough action to mix, but not cause bubbles. If the stuff your using blushes, make sure you wipe it clean before recoating or doing anything else with it. I am not familiar with the 3:1 stuff, I use MarineEpoxy from Beateau or MOS brand 2:1.

Re: Epoxy Kick ?
 

I don't use loads of epoxy,but have mixed up a fair amount for my 23 project,and for a couple friends; and i have found the pumps not to be as accurate as we think they are.

I use graduated measuring cups for the measuring of resin and hardener,and find them to be a far more accurate way to measure the ingedients,which results in a more precise ratio of resin to hardener.

Re: Epoxy Kick ?
 

Are you using MAS epoxy? I have been using it on a console that I am building.I use the fast hardener and have about 30 min. pot life.I also mix in balloons when bonding something.Never had a curing issue.I have also been glassing a custom boat and for that I have been using a non-blushing epoxy from Areomarine in S.Cal,it'a a 2-1 mix and is great,and by far the most economically priced.

Re: Epoxy Kick ?
 

I've had similar experiences with epoxy. I have found that mixing it thoroughly is crucial. When you think you've mixed enough mix it some more. You don't need to worry about it kicking off like poly.
I am personally threw with epoxy. It's too annoying to work with. Try laying up something on a vertical surface....

Re: Epoxy Kick ?
 

Have found when using pumps, you can not make a small batch. The pumps are not full and you get inaccurate pump. usually the hardener is off.
Also have found that epoxy really slows down under 70 and with high humidity. A solution may be get some heat lamps and heat the surface. Also the comment about mixing is right on. You really have to mix that stuff good.

Stupid is that stupid does.
 

Well I am glad for the forum. After looking at your suggestions, I went and looked at the instructions for the pumps and for the epoxy mixture. The mix is 3-1...however I did not read the pump instructions which state...the resin pump is calibrated to disperse the proper ratio with one pump. DUH...that means I was putting in 3X the amount that I should have done. I made another small batch... one pump resin and 1 pump hardener and all is well. Good thing I wasn't laying up the whole floor. This was my just test it out run.
Thanks.

Re: Stupid is that stupid does.
 

I do dumber stuff than that every day. What you did that was smart, was you tested out your materials and methods first. Good catch!

Re: Stupid is that stupid does.
 

According to my children, I get dumber every day. I pray that there will, in my lifetime, be a swing back of the pendulum of dumbness. I could swear that I knew some stuff...

Re: Epoxy Kick ?
 

Thanks for the info on AeroMarine products. Turns out they're a couple of miles down the road from me here in San Diego so I'll be saving some on shipping. The owner takes all calls and questions and is incredibly helpful. Price is great, too. Of course I'll have to pay sales tax, but hey, someone has to jump start this economy :D
Thanks again Joey. -Gillie