How dry for glass/epoxy bonding

[JohnC]

I have a stripped hull that has been sitting outside in the rain for a while. Since Dorian passed us by we have had our first string of dry days in the last month or two. I just cleaned it up with a hose and scrub brush two days ago and after a day in the sun it looked clean and dry. I put a tarp over it to keep it that way and I'm hoping to start adding parts back in soon.
I don't know if there is a benchmark moisture content that I need to get to before laminating. I don't have a moisture meter but I was considering getting one if needed, I saw one for $45 on Amazon.
Can someone advise me on how dry this has to be? Is there a moisture content I need to get to for good bonding? Do I need to buy a meter? Thanks for any advice.

John

[Oldboat]

You should be fine. I have done quit a bit of glass here I live in Boca and I would be more concerned with overheat and gasing causing that will blister in spots in this heat. Use Xtra slow epoxy when it’s this hot. I would suggest u read all the specs on products u are using epoxy,awlgrip etc and understand it well or u could be redoing things or poor bond. Good luck

[JohnC]

Thanks for the advice. I am using E-Bond and I don't see any specific information regarding % moisture in their literature. They recommend washing amine blush with dawn soap & water between coats so I can guess that epoxy isn't terribly affected by a little moisture.

[Oldboat]

Yea last few days have been great tomorrow looking good. Yea I’m repainting are old whaler . I striped the other day and this morning I scrubbed it with tide and scotch Britt pad I like to do that when I start project and again before I prime after all other work is done.

[flyingfrizzle]

I normally wipe down stuff with acetone and that will help consume the moisture and evaporate it off. The only down side is sometimes it leaves a little residue.

[gofastsandman]

Originally Posted by flyingfrizzle

I normally wipe down stuff with acetone and that will help consume the moisture and evaporate it off. The only down side is sometimes it leaves a little residue.

Denatured alcohol after wipe.

[castnetcracker]

Watch out for condensation while your laminate is still kicking off if you are working at night or using a resin like epoxy that has a long cure time. It will turn your laminate all cloudy and obviously affect the bond and cure. As 90% of my project was completed at night i would always watch the dewpoint.

I stored my project outside and would just run some fans and maybe one of those propane patio heaters to get the moisture out of the area i planned on working. If a clean paper towel doesn't pick up visible water, I'd wipe it with acetone and get to work.

[db3155]

I put s sheet of plastic over the new glass at night to keep moisture off.