Refrigerate Epoxy to extend life?

John Long

John Long

Member
I am brushing some activated and induced Epoxy primer on some body mounts I am making and have about 8 ounces left over. I have poured it into a small jelly jar with a tight lid.

Do I dare put it in the refrigerator to extend the life of the catalized material? If I can do this I understand I would need to let come back to proper temperature and mix it well before using any more of it.

John
 
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I do not know the specifics of why, but I do remember a post from Barry (owner of SPI) that it is a BAD idea to do that.

Something useful that you might find is that if you just put a lid on the epoxy it will slow the cure down, and you can also mix say another 4oz of epoxy, then add them to your previous old epoxy and that resets the clock, you basically end up with 12oz of 'new' epoxy.

So 8 oz old + 4oz new = 12oz of new epoxy.

Hope people with more experience chime in to better answer your question.
 
I have used epoxy and I'm pretty sure Barry has told me up to five days old. It does thicken up a touch but just a splash of reducer and its back to normal. I just had a paint can lid on mine for the week. I believe the way Barry explained to me is that when you chill epoxy it stops its crosslinking for its cure which I don't know if it restarts. As I said five days later and its good I know on chilling it I am not positive Barry explains things so well sometimes I get lost.
 
I had done a search and came up empty. Since you guys said Barry had addressed this before I searched again. Don't know why I did not find it the first time.

If the Moderator wants to delete this thread I will not be offended. It is obviously redundant. :(

John

Barry
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A couple of things can happen and notice I said "can" perhaps "may" would be a better choice.

First freezing for dispersant's is considered 44 degrees and pigment could become unstable and may spray dirty and strainers or mixing will not help.
Second and worst risk is in the extreme cool down if the activator, created a second type alcohol, that can effect total cure and even make it where it never cures fully.
Third is the temperature can cause color instability where say black blushes or turns gray in a short time after spraying, can show up in 3-6 months, not a concern if painted over but a disaster if used for trimming or engine compartment.

What are the odds? Slim but it is my job to point out the worst case scenario, so the worst case scenario, don't happen.
Barry@kives.net
404-307-9740 Tech Line (7 days)
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Never put in fridge and if starts to thicken, never thin and use, I only gave a personal recommendation of adding reducer one time and it was for a hidden part and a very small brake through spot, I believe it was an engine compartment and the guy was out of epoxy.
 
What about a wine cooler that can be set anywhere between 45 and 66? If the dispersant freezes at 44, it could be kept cool but well above that temperature in a wine cooler. If kept at say somewhere between 50 and 60, wouldn't this be a safe way to extend the pot life?

Just say the word if this is just a bad idea to even think about.

And no, I'm not just looking for an excuse to buy a wine cooler for my shop. :p
 
I keep mine for quite a while in a sealed can, if it gets too thick I add a bit more fresh mixed to re thin.

Also roger I take mine in the house when it's very hot out to help keep it slowed down, the wife doesn't seem to notice if I keep it in a sealed container out of the way.

By quite a while I mean in the 5 day range to clarify.

I tend to like spraying epoxy thays 48 hours old thru a 1.8 tip anyways tho.....
 
Roger,
That would work just fine, not sure it will help but should not hurt,
 
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