Fiberglass repair and the cold?
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Fiberglass repair and the cold?
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.
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.
#2
Race Director
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.
#3
Pro
Thread Starter
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.
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.
#4
Racer
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.
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.
#5
Drifting
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.
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.
Wes
#6
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2009
Location: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Posts: 6,397
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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.
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.
#7
Melting Slicks
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.
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CA_WxMan (12-11-2016)
#8
Burning Brakes
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
Regards,
Jimmy
#10
Racer
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.
Thanks for the tip.