I'm getting ready to put epoxy on the guides of a rod I've been working on but our local weather has been cool and wet all summer (NC mountains) and will most likely continue to be so. Will the high humidity have long-term effects on the durability of the epoxy job, all other things equal? If it's just a longer drying time, I'm used to that since I'm using Aftcote.

Humidity by itself will have no effect on your epoxy. My favorite days for applying epoxy are when it's raining. I open the windows and let the dampness keep down the dust.

Epoxy hazing or blushing is caused when there is a concentrated mix of moisture and carbon dioxide present. This is a rare occurance, but it has happened to some. Breathing/exhaling on your finish in order to to get it to release bubbles, while working in a very humid environment, can cause this. But again, it's rare.

Coolness is another matter, to some degree. If the temp is going to be below, say, 65F or thereabouts, you may find the epoxy to be a little harder to manage since it'll be a bit thicker. It will also take a bit longer to set and cure.

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I for one have always had a problem with the "haze" on epoxy in the summer when it's humid . I have no idea why it happens where I build my rods . I have a shop set up in a basement where I get the "haze " unless I run a de-humidifier . I had 3 epoxy jobs get it , after I asked here, someone mentioned the carbondioxide , probably Tom , I cant remember . After I started to run the de-humidifier for a day or so before epoxy , I have not had a problem since................ I can't explain , but I'm not complaining 'cuse it works . Just thought I would throw that out .. Have Fun , JHD

Got Fish ?

I live just over the state line from you in the foothills in South Carolina. We've had the same humid weather as you folks just over the line - sunlight has been scarce and all of the rivers and streams are full and very muddy from the incessant series of storms. I took advantage of having to stay inside this week to put the finish on 2 rods. The finish on both came out as crystal clear as you could want.

If you follow the normal process, I don't expect that you'll have any trouble with the finish.

Sam

Humidity Bah Humbug!! I live in South Louisiana and the humidity seldom gets lower than 90 percent for any period of time. When I apply finish I cut off the air conditioner let the shop sit for about an hour and them mix and apply finish in a room that is plenty hot and full of moisture. Unless something else occurs humidity alone is not the culprit.

I had one finish cloud badly about a year ago. I wiped that rod with a piece of cheesecloth that contained denatured alcohol about 10 minutes before I applied the finish. I am aware that alcohols can under certain circumstances combine with water to form azeotropes. It is highly possible that this water - alcohol "solid" solution could remain on the surface of the blank and not completely dry due to evaporation. I have repeated this action by test and can produce the cloudy finish. Needless to say I do not wipe with any solvent before applying finish.

Gon Fishn

If you can heat the finish up maybe with heat lamps??
Just don't overheat or boil it.

That haze is probably high humidity in the air. It can set into finish and leave a Haze. The heat will help keep it out