My supplier was out of my usual lite finish a month or so back and I ordered Flex Coat Lite instead just to have some "lite" on hand in case I ran out. I never ran out but have started toying around and using up my new FC lite. I mixed up a batch several times with no problems at all. But, lately since I'm down to about 1/2 a bottle of each, finish and hardener, one of the two has white chunks of something in it. I figured it was the cold weather and I threw out the chunky mixed portion I had just mixed and took the FC to the microwave. I heated both hardener and finish and this took care of the white chunks in my next mixed batch. My rod room stays about 68 degrees for what that's worth. Today I grabbed the same FC lite and mixed up a batch and in less than15 hours the chunks were back. Threw out the mixed, warmed again and all went well.

My question...are others seeing this chunky-ness in FC lite in such a short time? I dont mind warming it up a bit, but it sure shortens the pot life up severely.... and I never thought the chunky would return so fast. I like the FC lite pretty well, all but this one issue.

DR

All epoxy resins will tend to crystalize in cooler temps. When this happens, heat it in the microwave prior to when you plan to use it. You never want to heat up the resin or hardener just prior to mixing - that will indeed shorten your pot life considerably.

If it constantly crystalizes, considered storing it in a warmer location.

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I have recently had some of those chunks(quite small) show up in my work with a new batch of FC. This in all of the past two weeks. My work room is 68 to 70 all the time and the FC is stored there. I thought it was just me.

Hi DR.

For what it's worth, I purchased the 16 oz size of FC lite about a year and a half ago, and I'm still working with it. I have had none of the problems you are witnessing. My rod building room temp is a constant 70 deg.

Harold

Those are the one's Jeff, you have to pour it out on foil once mixed to see them.

Harold I cant see 2 degrees making any difference, but you never know....

The thing that bothers me is the chunks coming back SO fast.

DR

Anything below 70F is a bit too cool for most epoxy resins - it won't hurt them but it almost guarantees you'll get the crystalization. How long it takes the crystalization to return depends on temperature. The cooler the storage area the quicker it will happen again.

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I have also had this problem, my room is around 70 deg but I store it on a shelf that is on the outside wall so it is a few deg cooler. Thakns for bringing this up, guess I will move mine too!

Hello to All.

What would happen if you kept it in a heated (80%) cabinet, took it out and mixed it.

1. Right after mixing put it back would it still get crystals from such a short exposure to a 68% clime?

2. Now you use the mixed epoxy, will it cure in the 68% temp slower or faster, or could it crystalize
before it can cure?


Bob Guist.