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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: whossbows on December 02, 2010, 03:05:00 PM

Title: letting smooth on get cold
Post by: whossbows on December 02, 2010, 03:05:00 PM
do you think the smooth on epoxy is still good if it has been in freezing temps,not mixed,i have some cans that are about 2/3 empty,thought i might gather it all up before buying some new,thanks for any info,,jeff
Title: Re: letting smooth on get cold
Post by: Bradford on December 02, 2010, 04:20:00 PM
Well.. mine came with me from Colorado.  I did try to keep it in the house, but I know it finally found it's way to the garage and we have had freezing temps.  I just used some last week and seemed to work fine.  The second time I used it, I heated up the cans a bit and it went on a lot smoother.
Title: Re: letting smooth on get cold
Post by: macbow on December 02, 2010, 05:03:00 PM
I know the last batch I had was frozen several times.
I had no trouble with it.
Trouble is if it's a really good project it's hard to take a chance. With the cost of materials now the glue is minor expense.
Ron
Title: Re: letting smooth on get cold
Post by: Lee Robinson . on December 03, 2010, 10:26:00 PM
If there is no water in it, why would it matter...as nothing should precipitate out...meaning it should do the same if it is warmed back up before use.
Title: Re: letting smooth on get cold
Post by: JamesV on December 04, 2010, 10:25:00 AM
Smooth-on will not freeze or be effected by freezing weather. I had a unit sit in my shop for 2 yrs, found it behind some junk. Used it with good results. In cold weather epoxy gets stiff, hard to mix and apply, takes longer to cure out of a heat box but I think the strength would be the same.
Title: Re: letting smooth on get cold
Post by: Lee Robinson . on December 04, 2010, 12:28:00 PM
I agree with James but I do warm it up when I use it so it is higher viscosity and will penetrate the materials as much as possible so I get the best adhesion I can get.
Title: Re: letting smooth on get cold
Post by: whossbows on December 04, 2010, 09:45:00 PM
thanks for the info,
Title: Re: letting smooth on get cold
Post by: hova on December 05, 2010, 12:40:00 AM
yeah i have done too many jobs where the term "cold joint" was a bad thing. i wouldnt worry as long as the containers were well sealed.


I would agree that you could probably glue cold stuff with cold glue , but longer cure times would be expected for sure. i fiberglassed a boat once in the early spring , and it took days to get out of the "still tacky" stage...


-hov
Title: Re: letting smooth on get cold
Post by: highnoonhunter on December 05, 2010, 12:40:00 PM
I leave mine in my hot box 24/7. Soon as I measure my mix, it goes back in there. When I'm gluing up a bow or one of my quiver spines, I just turn on the heat while I'm heating up the box to preheat my lams, and by the time I'm ready to mix the glue, it's nice and warm, and easy to work with.