I've got a batch of Pro Kote that I've had for at least a year now. It's been stored at room temps between 60~70 deg. I mixed some up, it mixed normal. I applied it to the rod, it looked good (nice and clear). Then when it cured it yellowed. Is there a shelf life on this product or something? I ordered a new batch, but I'm going to have to live with a yellow tinted butt wind. I know it wasn't due to the c/p because it yellowed in the pot as well.
Do you think it expired or something?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/13/2012 07:43AM by mark kniss.

All epoxies will amber or yellow over time, either in the bottle or on the rod. There is nothing wrong with it. It will continue to set and cure normally for decades.

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

I once used the end of a plastic yellow disposable brush to mix a batch of epoxy. The epoxy started to dissolve the yellow plastic brush handle and add a yellow tint to the epoxy batch. I caught it before applying to the rod and had to start over. Just a thought...

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com

Unless your epoxy included some type of solvent, it shouldn't dissolve anything.

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

Very odd, as the Pro Kote does not yellow much at all. The first rod I built 2 years ago is still crystal clear and I used ProKote. It's been to Alaska twice, stored in the garage (hot) and no issues. There is nothing about the curing process that should cause it to yellow either. If it was clear before you mixed it up, there is no reason it should yellow, unless you introduced something to the mix that was dark or colored in some way. I would also think about the CP you used as well.

Don's comments above are likely right on the money. I always stir and apply with stainless spatulas in a glass shot glass.

Good luck.

Drew

I have ProKote also from last year that goes on and dries crystal clear. I mix mine with another brand sometimes and still have zero problems.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

My one year old ProKote is still Chrystal clear when mixed.

Do you live in an area that is seeing "spring time" weather changes? if so, are you mixing and applying the epoxy outside or with open windows? If you answer yes to both, it may be pollen in the mix tinting the epoxy yellow.

Strong wraps, calm seas
Derek

Thanks for the input guys, I mix in a disposable aluminum mixing cup using a tongue depressor.......have for years, no problems. The only thing I can possibly think of is that one of the parts was cristalizing so I warmed it up till it was liquid again, but this shouldn't really cause yellowing As far as c/p I'm using Cason's. However, it just occured to me that maybe it reacted with the c/p.....because I used both Cason's on top of each other (don't ask why, it's a long story).

No, I doubt that caused it. But you might as well accept the fact that even the rods you've already coated will see the finish turn yellow at some point - it's just a matter of time.

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

I build a rod with ProKote it sat in my jeep for 3 weeks and the finished is now yellow. The temperature was definitely over 100 degrees for a few days. The ProKote is about 6 months old. It is stored at 70-75 degrees and was mixed in a plastic mixing cup. It was clear when it was applied.