I’m chomping at the bit to get my canoe ready for some dog training, but can’t remember how warm it should be to use the epoxy resin. No, the kit instructions don’t say. 65 degrees rings a bell. If so, it’s gonna be a while.
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Ambient Temperature for Repairs
- Thread starter Black_Fly
- Start date
Put a clip on light just under the stem inside the boat, but not too close. Test with you hand, the hull will keep the heat and cure the epoxy no problem. I’ve done things like that all the time.
Jim
Jim
In addition to the above suggestions, sunlight makes a huge difference. On fairly calm days in the fifties, I've had success fiberglassing the decks of my ketch as the sun warms the surface to over 70. The sole of the cockpit and the gray hull of my dinghy get to over 100f on a sunny spring day.
Adjust your epoxy to fit the ambient conditions There are many choices now.
I’ve got my epoxy all set. I fashioned some skids from a sheet of felt, but I like the NW canoe epoxy so I just bought a kit. Even though I could build a canoe with all the epoxy I have on hand. Absolutely kept indoors. I’ve done several skids over the years and even got the flacid endorsement of cliff j for one install. Hope this one comes out as good. New, better orbital sander this time.
Many epoxies do offer fast and slow hardener options. But the cure of epoxy is still dramatically affected by ambient temperature. If ambient temperatures remain below 50 degrees F the epoxy cure rate will be very slow unless you have some means of heating the surface to which it is applied.
Sunlight indeed does make a difference. I have used light bulbs and space heaters. Wafting a heat gun or hair drier over the surface every 30 minutes or so has a significant effect.
Sunlight indeed does make a difference. I have used light bulbs and space heaters. Wafting a heat gun or hair drier over the surface every 30 minutes or so has a significant effect.
I use Raka and keep both fast and slow hardeners around since I live in Maine and am often pushing it as far as temperature goes. They say fast hardener is OK down to 50F and slow to 60F. I think I've used fast on sunny days in the 40's and gotten away with it, although I wouldn't do that for a large area lamination.
The thumb rule I've heard is +/-20 degrees F halves/doubles the cure time, although in the minus direction at some point the cure time is so long that the environment would become a factor.
The thumb rule I've heard is +/-20 degrees F halves/doubles the cure time, although in the minus direction at some point the cure time is so long that the environment would become a factor.
Warmed up to 65 by 1pm yesterday, warmed over 70. Low 67 this morning. Bottom line, I got er done. Used a heat bulb under one end which worked great until the Ambient temp got the surface sustained at 65+. Now I just have to sand after. She dries, maybe a spray urethane varnish around edges.
Hey Blackie, what kind of felt are you using?
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