I used the new Thread Master Lite formula for the first time 2 days ago. It went on nicely but after 12 hours the mix was still tacky. Being a rod builder for many years the first thing that came to my mine was that my measurments of equal parts might have been off.

I made absolutely sure that my mix was perfect for the second cote. However after 24 hours the epoxy on the rod is still tacky. What gives? The advertisement claims accelerated drying time. Has anyone had the same problem?

If it remains tacky I might us my Flex Cote to finish it off.

My experience is pretty much the same. I've done four rods with my Threadmaster Lite, and they all took a long time to cure. Thought it was just me.

AC
FishinFreaks
Rogers, MN

I had a similar experience as well. I did some tests with it and basically never bothered to put it on a wrap. It seems to be very temperature sensitive IMO. What temperature are you curing at?

Even here in Florida it cures slowly. IMO, it is a solid product ... excellent clarity, flawless bubble release, super penetration, immaculate UV tolerance and a long "pot life". NO epoxy is perfect, all have their idiosyncrasies. I allow 24 hours between coats and 4-5 days before expecting a good cure.

If you want a product that has all of the above attributes EXCEPT for lower UV tolerance with more typical curing times ... use Flexcoat Lite.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/09/2009 09:13PM by Jim Gamble.

Aaron did they finally cure?

John, 70 - 72 degrees.

Thanks guys.

My initial attempts were at colder ambient temps. Since I am not about to heat the entire house for the epoxy to cure I chose to go with finishes that do not appear to be temp dependent. I keep trying to justify a drying box. I suppose if my rods were all 7 ft or less I would just build the box. I would guess that 70 to 72 should do it eventually. Good luck. All of the finishes seem to have their quirks.

Try using th stuff up here in Alaska LOL. It does take some time to set.,...especially when it's -20 oustide and 60 in my room.

Paul
What do you use for the cold workshop. My workshop is at 64 right now and will be in the mid 50's by winter.

John
God bless the troops and USA

I was under the understanding that all lite formula epoxys had a longer cure time than high build. I use Flex coat light and Thread Master light, and they both need over 24 hrs to fully cure.

I use heat lamps to warm things up in the winter. They are cheap as dirt at any hardware store. The ony problem is that they make your power meter spin pretty good. Just clamp them above your finishing bench, at least 30'' above your rod.

Tony,
It is pretty simple to get a $15 space heater and a card board box and put your drying rods inside a cardboard box. Then, you can keep the temps at 80 degrees and get a quicker cure.

Good luck
Roger

p.s.
I normally keep my house and shop fairly cool.
However for the times that I am curing a rod, I will keep the door shut in my workshop and leave the space heater turned up to maintain a temperature of about 75-78 degrees.
This gives a nice uniform cure with no hassle of boxes etc.

Good luck
Roger

Tony,
Epoxy finishes cure by forming crosslinked polymers. A general rule of thumb for these reactions is that an increase of ten degrees Celsius (about 18 degrees F) results in a doubling of the reaction rate. If you are curing your rod at 60 degrees F, you would need to increase the temperature to about 78 degrees F to cut the drying time in half.

Mike Blomme

Tony Spinelli Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Aaron did they finally cure?
>
> John, 70 - 72 degrees.
>
> Thanks guys.

They did cure after about 36 hours. I will say I really like the finish. I had the room at 70 degrees. Normally, I use a drying box with lamps in it, but I moved this summer and haven't got my new shop built and set up. So I'm in the spare bedroom without any extra warmth.

AC
FishinFreaks
Rogers, MN

I have used TM lite with good success and never had it slow cure on me, BUT! I think the key to making TM lite work is the mixing process. I noticed right away (magnified head set) that TM lite took forever to mix up real real well. It took twice - three times as many stirs with a flat spatula to get the TM lite to mix perfectly. Try triple mixing the product and see if that changes it. I no longer use it for other reasons, but it did well for me months back.

DR

Yea I know, but I use the regular and thin a little. Drys well even in cold temps and never had any problems

Bill - willierods.com

Guys,
Thanks for all of the tips and info. 36 hours at 72 degrees did the trick. End of story.

Tony

I mix it with a little FlexCoat and it cures much faster and does not effect the bubble release or clarity. Works really well and cures in about 8 hours or a little less......................

Not for everyone...............but it works for me. But it does shorten the pot life a bit..........

Terry