Epoxy.... Best temp

[Pizzaguy]

Ok got my 2 sides cut out of cherry & birch,



Am ready to order my epoxy but its still cold up here in WI.......

What temps do I need to see to do a good job on glassing my sides?

Whats the minimum temp..... I DON'T have a heated garage.

Whats better..... Raka or West Systems? and what formula number?

I take it I don't need to stain or seal the wood... or do I?

Oh and how much to do my sides & top, I'm thinking the 3 gal kit.

And what weight glass cloth? 6 oz?

Bruce

[Esteban]

Bruce,

Either 4 or 6 oz. plain weave cloth will be fine for the sides and roof. I'm very satisfied with Raka epoxy. Just don't add too much hardener - it makes the epoxy soft. Kinda counter intuitive. But all too true. Get pumps. They help you measure resin and hardener more accurately than pouring into cups and eyeballing the fill lines. With your cold weather you probably need to get all fast hardener. Or maybe two bottles. One fast and another of the slow. A 3 gallon kit should be plenty for the sides, roof, and galley lid of a 5' x 10' teardrop. However if you use epoxy to seal the floor, sealing inside sandwich walls and as a glue you can easily go through more. I think 50 degrees is the minimum temp for Raka's regular resin mixed with fast hardener...ask them to be sure. I may be wrong.

Good luck with your project.

Adding more info from Raka's Epoxy User Manual.

A mixture using only fast hardener 610 can be used down to 50 degrees F.

A mixture with slow hardener can be used down to 60 degrees F.

They have a cold weather hardener 425 that can be used down to 40 degrees F. The manual says it's high blushing and not for clear coating.

You many have to wait for warmer weather to use epoxy in your unheated garage.

John at Raka has been very helpful. He can be very chatty if it's not a busy day. He moved from a cold Northern climate to live in Fla. so he may have some insight to help you out.

[madjack]

DOUBLE DITTOES on the above from SteveB...I use RAKA's "non- blushing" epoxy and it is good to 60*...very happy with both the company and the product...call 'em for best service........
madjack

[Juneaudave]

As far as "best" goes, West 105/207 hardener is great stuff...as is MAS and RAKA...so "best" might not be an issue.

I think what you find is a significant cost differential for RAKA...and you will find that West and MAS is more readily available through brick and mortar stores...

[doug hodder]

Something else to consider as well as temp. is the humidity. I don't know what the range is on the Raka non blush. If it is high, you can run the risk of blushing in the epoxy....a white cloudy appearance in the top coat. I've never used the Raka so can't speak for it's performance on the non blush types. Also certain types of heat will add humidity...I heat with wood so it's not as likely to blush.
Doug

[madjack]

I can relate this personal experience with RAKA non-blushing epoxy...temps dropping to the low 60's...evening coming on...humidity near 100%...raining cats and dogs...work pieces in covered, open sided shed...water actually splashing on work piece...not only NO BLUSH but no water spots as well...I got this same result on 3 different days with similar weather conditions...I'd say it was pretty darn good stuff...certainly made a RAKA believer outta me.........
madjack

[doug hodder]

That's good to know Jack...I haven't pushed my luck like that. Don't know if the West System is as forgiving. Doug

[madjack]

Doug, I know I was lucky and I wouldn't have pushed it so hard BUT I was severely rushed for time when I started the GatorFlageTear and had no choice but to go forit...would rather be lucky than good anytime
madjack

[Esteban]

Expanding on madjack's experience...when I rolled Raka's non blushing epoxy onto my floor some of my sweat dripped onto the epoxy. The moisture landing on the epoxy caused it to blush (turn a little whitish). As the epoxy set up the whitish areas gradually changed from cloudy to clear. I was relieved that it did so.

[Steve Frederick]

Never any trouble with RAKA. I've worked in a cold (60-deg) shop, as well as very warm/humid shop. Reliable results.
If you want to speed the cure in cool conditions, use a small amount of fast hardener. (sorry, I can't remember the number) Ask Larry, he's very helpful.