Hi all,

I have started wrapping a rod and will soon be starting to apply the epoxy finish.
I do my rod building in my garage and now that it is winter here, the temperature in the garage is a fairly steady 10 Degrees Celsius (50 F), both day and night.
Can I expect to have good results using Flex Coat high build at this temperature? I have previously only built rods closer to summer when the temperature is around 18-20 C (64-68 F)

Its kind of hard to heat the garage as its such a large area. A second option would be to do the epoxy work in another small room in the house that I could heat up to 18-20 C.

Thanks

Dale

Hobart, Tasmania
AUSTRALIA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2012 07:05AM by Dale Holmes.

Hi Dale,
You should be ok. I did one not long ago and it set up fine, just takes a bit longer but the temperature was at least 15 degrees C. No experience with the flexcoat but the threadmaster was ok. You could heat the bottles a bit in your pocket but that might shorten the pot life a bit. If you use a torch to get rid of bubbles and help the levelling that will help. Stay away from the hair dryer as they blow too much dust and lint onto the finish, the torch burns it up. If your worried take it inside to a warmer spot.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

You could always build a Drying box, Do a search for info

AT 50F, the finish may be a bit hard to manage and will take nearly twice as long to set and cure as it does as 70F. Sure, it can be done, but expect the finish to be a bit "stiffer" to work with.

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

I would think using a lite build finish at that temperature would give you a similar viscosity to a high build along with taking nearly a day or so to set up several more to cure. Correct me if I am wrong as that is just a guess.

I like cooler temps It helps to keep the finish wetter longer to flow out better and for bubbles to escape easier. It should be set well overnight But I do use a lighter finish

The flex Coat UV finish is nice

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2012 12:53PM by bill boettcher.

at 10 Deg. C your flex coat will be very stiff you will haveto heat the flex up some so it will flow [ will crystalise in the bottle ] hot water or micro wave will do it , you can build a TEMP bow to go over your drying table out of card board [ cheep] can be folded down for later use , an put a light in side for heat works fine for me , but I only do a rod every couple of MTH. [ small timer builder ]

To me 50 F is not cold Now if it gets into the 30s ??
That's why I like thinner finishes

Bill - willierods.com

Dale,
You won't have any problems with the finish, just finished a rod and it's been 8-13oc here in Melb.
Epoxy will be a little bit stiffer than normal but will give you a smoother finish, longer working time but will set in about the same time as normal but will not harden as quick.
Make sure nothing touches epoxy for at least three days to allow it to harden.
May feel ok but will not be cured underneath.
All you need to do is take it slowly in those temps.
Once epoxy has started to harden, take rod inside to a warmer area and leave till it is ready.

I always take life with a grain of salt. Plus a slice of lemon and a shot of Tequila.