Lyndwood

I want to fiberglass patch the holes in my spare tire carrier over the winter. Will the cold effect the curing process of fiberglass. I have a kerosene torpedo heater that gets the garage up to 75-80 deg but I would turn off the heater while mixing & using fiberglass since thereis an open flame & I think the fumes are combustible!

So if I heat up the garage & the piece I'm working on, turn off the heater, mix the resin & apply the fiberglass mat will the curing process be effected by the cold. Once I kill the heat it gets cold rather fast as it's an un-insulated garage, if its really cold out side.

wife doesn't want me fiber glassing in the basement due to the smell.

zwede

Yes, temperature makes a big difference for the curing process. You need to add more hardener when fiber glassing in the cold. Do a test batch first, but I'd say try doubling the amount of hardener and see how long it takes.

Lyndwood

when I mix up a "hot load" as I call it (more hardener) does most of the chemical reaction/hardening process take place in those first few minutes of hardening or is it like concrete ie- if it dry's to quick the top cracks because the bottom hasn't set up yet?
I know its just a spare tire well but I want to make sure the new stuff bonds to the old stuff and stays put.

CA_WxMan

One thing I like to do when it's colder is to use a heat gun to make the resin/hardener kick off.

It's amazing the difference a little heat will make in initiating that curing process.

Maybe DUB or somebody else will chime in with more advice.


Good luck with your repairs.

530planeman

First send wife shopping.I would recommend using a good quality resin and using the normal amount of gardner.A boat supply will usually have better than a hardware store.I find in cold setting a fan in front of the repair will help as it's a chemical reaction .
Wes

Priya

Its not like concrete, its a chemical reaction so it all hardens at the same rate assuming you've got the hardener mixed in evenly.

kanvasman

West System products at a marine supply place have different catalysts depending on the temp. And their set up is ALMOST foolproof, one squirt from each can ( different size dispensers already calculate out the correct amount). I would also look into an electric space heater of some kind. They are not cheap to run but I like the idea of no pilot light. Good luck.

Tooch1

Why not not bring it in to the house in the basement if you have one. That's where I repaired mine last year. Also, I like to use a hand held blow dryer to help the curing along when it's colder. Just a thought!
Regards,
Jimmy

Pop Chevy

Use a heat lamp to warm the area before and after the repair. BTW, the fumes aren't that bad, I wouldn't worry about it.

CA_WxMan

I use West System for my stuff, but didn't realize they had different temp range catalysts like paints do with their different reducers.

Thanks for the tip.