I am using Pro Kote to coat my threads and the last two rods I built have resulted in the epoxy remaining sticky to the touch. I applied it during a cold snap in an unheated garage. As a novice I don't know why. Any suggestions, thoughts, etc? The rods were built early January, the low temps were mid 30's. I use an automatic mixer and use syringes to measure out the amounts.

If you mixed it correctly sounds like you need to put the rod in a nice warm place or 1 - 2 days it should dry ???

Bill - willierods.com

Assuming that you did indeed mix completely and with equal portions of both parts (always mix at least 3ccs of each part), the low temp certainly plays a role and requires much more time for the epoxy to set and cure. Bringing the rod inside to a warmer area should rectify the situation within a 24 hour period.

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Sounds like you are finishing under 32% not good I like cooler temps but that is way too cold
here in North jersey we are lucky if we get 15 to 20 lately As cold as a witches - well you know

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks, bill and tom for your replies. I didn't mix at least 3 cc's of each and our high temps this time of the year average in the low 70's so i don't think it's the temp, but i am going to bring them in the house. When i mixed it i did notice the mixture didn't turn cloudy like it did when i took the rod building course., but most of the time i didn't really watch it, i just came back after 5-10 minutes and used it straight out of the container i mixed it in. Should i have placed it in a 'tin'?

Bill, no freezes yet this year, the coldest it has been as been 34º. I'm thinking with my inexperience i've messed it up somehow. . . . . . A bit of trivia that hopefully will help you. .. to make the degree sign ALT167.

If you mixed it correctly it will cleal when mixed enough Most say several min's

If your temp is in the low 70's it is NOT the temperature That is more them warm enough
heck i mix and then apply in the 40's then shout the doors and let the place warm up
Sounds like not enought time mixing it It should be clear it will be cloudy - then change to clear after a good mix
I use the new Flex Coat UV finish Seems not to turn yellow like the old stuff did

Did you put the finish on when it was in the low 30 degrees ?? Reread your post

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/15/2015 06:56PM by bill boettcher.

I put it on in the high 30's with an electric space heater going in the garage, but turned it off when i went to bed, with the dryer still going (18 rpm). Turned the dryer off the next morning and turned the space heater back on. ... I never saw the mixture get cloudy, it was always clear when i came back to it. Could the pro kote be outdated? I bought it 2+ years ago. I really appreciate yall helping me with this.

We seem to come back to did i mix it properly? And i would say that each part was within 0.5 cc of the other. .. .. Could that be the problem? are the mixture tolerances that tight?

We seem to come back to did i mix it properly? And i would say that each part was within 0.5 cc of the other. .. .. Could that be the problem? are the mixture tolerances that tight?

A half cc at just a total of 6ccs is a pretty darn large margin. You're talking about better than a 15% difference and is indeed enough to throw off the mix to the point where it's likely to remain tacky. Yes, when it comes to finishes, the mixture "tolerances" are that tight. With syringes, there's never any reason to be off that far.

If having the rod at a higher temperature for a day doesn't do it, you should recoat, with a properly measured mix. Try to keep the temperature consistent until the finish has set and cured.

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You cannot expect any epoxy to cure properly at temps in the 30's. Always use syringes, mix at least 3 cc's total, some recommend more, and mix for at least 120 seconds at 70 degrees or higher, and you will not have problems. You cannot compromise on these requirements if you want to have 100% success.

[www.flexcoat.com]

I know that in my basement when the temps are below 60 that I need to mix mine for 3 minutes to have a clear mix. Temp is also important when doing the mix.

Tom, does recoat mean overlying the existing or melting it off and reapplying?

Michael, Thanks for the info. I have not been mixing enough. . ..

Again, Guys, thanks for the info it is very helpful

Yes, you can generally overcoat what you have there now and be okay.

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Tom, Thanks.

I think that's what I need to do. I think I didn't mix the proper amounts.

I use prokote if its not warm enough it won't cure 100%. Its a great epoxy but it takes forever to cure. I would say a day and a half in good temp.

I use prokote if its not warm enough it won't cure 100%. Its a great epoxy but it takes forever to cure. I would say a day and a half in good temp.

I use prokote if its not warm enough it won't cure 100%. Its a great epoxy but it takes forever to cure. I would say a day and a half in good temp.

I use prokote if its not warm enough it won't cure 100%. Its a great epoxy but it takes forever to cure. I would say a day and a half in good temp.