Is there any way possible to speed the cure of an epoxy finish? I have a rod that I need to deliver tomorrow noon and will put the finish on when I get home tonight. The guy plans to put it in use on a camping vacation trip starting tomorrow night. Is there anything I can do to make the epoxy kick off quicker and set quicker? I am using Flexcoat if that makes any difference. Thanks.

Heat, as in some lamps over the wraps as it is rotating. That is cutting it close though. Why not loan him a rod until his is fully cured?

Mark,

That is a recipe for disaster. If you promised him the rod before the trip, you might need to bight the bullet and hope for the best. If this is something that just came up, let him know of the possible issues and have him make the decision. This will put the liability back on him.

Good luck,
Andres Perez
Miami, Fl

It took longer to get the blank than I was told it would. Nothing to loan him because its for an application that was made special for him. He will be gone for two weeks on this trip. If he does not get the rod he will be more than a little dissapointed. I will try to get him to not use it for a day or two if possible. May still try some heat to speed the cure if that will help any.

Put a couple of space heaters in a small room (closet) with the rod. Try to get the temperature to about 120-130 degrees. It will cure very quickly under the high heat.

Also ,if he is going to be gone two weeks maybe he can wait a day or two before using it. That will surely help.

Tom
Bel Air Maryland

Mark

We here at Flex Coat will let the rod rotate for 2.5 hours to set, then put it on our truck or van with the windows rolled up. Since we live in Texas, that will heat it up fast and get it cured. We always say 24 hours of cure time is enough if you properly mixed your finish. The finish may be a little tender tomorrow but we would never let it keep us from fishing.

Flex Coat Company
Professional Rod Building Supplies
www.flexcoat.com

LOL! I was going to post just what John said. But then I live in Florida and it gets hot inside a car.

I have applied finish in the afternoon and fished with the rod the next day. Way I see it all finish will require re-doing sooner or later. I'd much rather keep the customer happy and have to recoat if the worst happened. But I'm betting it won't. Heck, seems to me the epoxy is most flexible now and would be more prone to cracking in several years time.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.