Thinning Raka epoxy

[mark Holbrook]

Hi,
Where can I find info on thinning epoxy? I am looking for info on what to use and how much.
Thanks,
Mark

[GPW]

Does it list a cleanup solvent on the can ... ? That usually works ...sparingly...

[terryjones1]

Hi,
Where can I find info on thinning epoxy? I am looking for info on what to use and how much.
Thanks,
Mark

Call RAKA!

[madjack]

...from the RAKA manual... http://raka.com/manual.html ..................................................................

Acetone, lacquer thinner, and denatured alcohol are three common economical solvents that work well with epoxy. Denatured alcohol doesn't cut the epoxy quite as well as acetone, but is much safer if skin contact occurs. Generally it's not recommended to thin your epoxy with non-reactive diluents because you will lose strength, have less water resistance and will get epoxy shrinkage. The curing process may
also be affected. If you must add a local shop solvent, then denatured alcohol is a good choice (no more than 5%). They evaporate slower out of the cure than other solvents like acetone and work well for may have some saturated rotten wood. The best way to thin epoxy without losing strength is to moderately heat the unmixed resin and hardener. Warm epoxy generally gives better results and if its possible try to heat the area to which you are applying the epoxy.

[Juneaudave]

Warm the epoxy up....

[Wolffarmer]

Warm the epoxy up....

And work very very fast



Randy

[mark Holbrook]

Thanks again. I briefly looked at the manual but must have missed that part. It's my first time using it and when I did a quick test it was cold (idaho in spring-45) so it seemed very thick. I will try heating it up and will wait for warmer weather. Thanks!

[Larry C]

Thanks again. I briefly looked at the manual but must have missed that part. It's my first time using it and when I did a quick test it was cold (idaho in spring-45) so it seemed very thick. I will try heating it up and will wait for warmer weather. Thanks!

The 45 degree temp is the problem. Most epoxies won't cure below 60 degrees till it warms up. I try to have my room temp at at least 75 degrees and warm my epoxy (Raka) by putting both jugs into hot water in a laundry sink.

Mix small batches as the warm epoxy will cure faster. It's best to pour the mix into a plastic paint tray liner rather than leaving it in the mixing cup. This will slow the cure process giving you more work time.

Larry C

[madjack]

The 45 degree temp is the problem. Most epoxies won't cure below 60 degrees till it warms up. I try to have my room temp at at least 75 degrees and warm my epoxy (Raka) by putting both jugs into hot water in a laundry sink.

Mix small batches as the warm epoxy will cure faster. It's best to pour the mix into a plastic paint tray liner rather than leaving it in the mixing cup. This will slow the cure process giving you more work time.

Larry C

100% agree with all of the above...on a side note...only once did I try thinning epoxy(w/de-natured alcohol)...it seemed to cut the flash/work time in half...from 30min to 15min...not a good thing and it also seemed to increase...substantially...the heat involved...other than slightly warming, I will probably never try solvents to thin epoxy...it just really isn't designed for it..................
madjack

[angib]

...other than slightly warming, I will probably never try solvents to thin epoxy...

Plus thinning the epoxy harms its water resistance - when the solvent evaporates, it will leave little voids that water can permeate through. Water resistance is best in un-thinned epoxy.