I was pretty bummed-out to find that the hardener in the LS Supreme had yellowed pretty bad after having not used any for a few months.Even after mixing up a batch it still remained yellow.I was under the impression that this stuff stayed clear.That is why I switched to it after using Flex-coat for years.Does this happen to Glass Coat also?Any insight would be great.Thanks in advance.
Matt Gates

It happens to all hardners in two part epoxy systems; even adhesives.

Putter
Williston, ND

Putter,

So , after opening, what is a honest shelf life for the epoxies ??

No shelf life. They all yellow or amber, but LS Supreme less so than any other epoxy. Pour your epoxy out onto some foil and you'll see that it's very clear. Don't confuse the appearance while it's in the cup and you're looking at a great thickness.

.............

I don't think it is too limited. I bought a gallon of finish in the mid '80's that I still use at times; the hardener isn't amber; it's brown. Still looks just fine on guide wraps because it's such a thin coating. I'm sure if I were to put it over a white wrap it may show but not on anything else.

Putter
Williston, ND

My Glass Coat is slightly amber, but when I mix it it is clear

This old stuff of mine is WAY clearer when mixed. I've also had to zap the resin in the microwave a few times through the years. It got like beeswax; settled into a thick, waxy type stuff. After 20 or 30 seconds in the wife's 'wave, it was fine. Had the same thing happen to some Cork Seal that got frozen in transit; 'waving it fixed the problem, too.

Putter

For what it's worth, I'm rebuilding a surf rod that is chocolate brown and using white NCP thread as the underwraps....a very unforgiving situation. My LS Supreme hardener is also very amber colored. I put 2 coats of LS Supreme on the butt wrap yesterday and today, took the rod out into the bright sunshine for an inspection. The epoxy coating over the white threadwork is just as clear as gin.

Pete Kornegay

Good to hear, Pete. I used some of that old finish over white NCP on the Outlaw rod I build last fall; I purposely put it on VERY thin and I couldn't see any discoloration in the sunshine, either. But I hate to tell others to go ahead, it's OK and then with a thicker coat...

Putter

use an old piece of rod and do a wrap that matches the real rod. Apply your LS Supreme and see what it looks like...

Tommy asked "after opening what is the life?"

If you're talking about turning yellow, it doesn't have to be open to change colors. As far as the epoxy itselft, Putter explained that it will last for years.

I wrap all my hardener containers in aluminum foil and keep them in a closed cabinet. Sort of like a 1-2 punch. U-40 has gotten smart and started packaging their hardener in opaque white containers instead of clear containers. That helps alot.

Jay