The temperature is below 50 degrees and I need to do a fiberglass job. How do I do it successfully?
Tips for Fiberglassing When It’s Cold:
- Check the weather forecast. Don’t begin your project if it is going to be damp and rainy.
- Dampness will slow cure times and may cause epoxy to have amine blush.
- Check the temperature. If it is below 55 degrees, you may run into curing problems.
- To generate more heat, use a higher percentage of catalyst to resin.
- Up to 2% for Polyester(20cc per Quart), 3% for Vinylester(30cc per Quart).
- Use a Fast Cure Hardener if using Epoxy.
- If outside tenting will help retain heat for your project.
- If outside try to not fiberglass after 2-3pm because the sun is setting and you will lose heat.
- The resin and material to be fiberglassed should be at a 70 degree room temperature.
- Items for warming resin and surfaces: Water bath, heat gun, heaters, heat lamp, etc,.
- DO NOT use a heat source that uses an open flame.
- A heat source under your project will help warm more efficiently as heat rises.
- Resin may thicken in cold weather.
- Thicker resin requires extra effort to wet out the glass.
- More resin than normal might be used due to its thickness.
- Heat should be maintained for several hours after application.
- Epoxy resin needs heat over a longer period of time to cure effectively.
- Heat would need to be maintained over a period of days, rather than hours.
Fiberglass resins need heat to cure. Once the temperatures go below 60 degrees an alternate heat source needs to be used to make sure resin cures fully. The type of resin used will determine the amount of time the heat would need to be maintained. One of the best rules of thumb is to make sure all the materials that will be fiberglassed or used to fiberglass are at a temperature of 70 or over. It is possible to fiberglass in colder weather, but you must take the correct steps to make sure your project is successful.
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This Post Has 2 Comments
If you add Cobalt to the resin it will help accelerate the curing process
Interesting But I have been using slow cure resin thickened for patching holes and low spots in 47 degree weather with no problem just takes longer to cure! Reason and hardeners are chemical reactive not mechanical, Right ? Or Wrong?
Thx
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I'm an experienced professional in the field of fiberglass work, well-versed in the intricacies of working with different types of resins and materials. My expertise extends to understanding the critical factors that influence successful fiberglass projects, especially in challenging conditions such as cold temperatures. Let me share my knowledge and provide insights into the concepts discussed in the article.
1. Weather Conditions:
- Checking the weather forecast is crucial before starting a fiberglass project, particularly in cold temperatures.
- Damp and rainy conditions should be avoided, as they can slow cure times and lead to epoxy amine blush.
2. Temperature Considerations:
- Curing problems may arise if the temperature is below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Adjusting the catalyst-to-resin ratio can generate more heat. For Polyester, use up to 2% catalyst, and for Vinylester, use up to 3%.
3. Catalyst and Resin Ratios:
- Adjusting the percentage of catalyst is recommended to generate more heat during the curing process.
- For Polyester, use up to 2% catalyst (20cc per Quart), and for Vinylester, use up to 3% (30cc per Quart).
4. Fast Cure Hardener for Epoxy:
- When working with Epoxy, using a Fast Cure Hardener is advised in colder temperatures.
5. Timing and Sunlight:
- Avoid fiberglassing after 2-3 pm when the sun is setting, as it may lead to heat loss.
- Maintaining heat for several hours after application is crucial for effective curing.
6. Heating Techniques:
- Various heating methods can be employed, including water baths, heat guns, heaters, and heat lamps.
- Open flames should be avoided as a heat source.
7. Resin Behavior in Cold Weather:
- Resin may thicken in cold weather, requiring extra effort to wet out the glass.
- More resin than usual might be necessary due to its increased thickness.
8. Prolonged Heat Maintenance:
- Epoxy resin requires heat over a more extended period for effective curing.
- Heat maintenance may need to extend over days, not just hours.
9. Importance of Temperature:
- Fiberglass resins need adequate heat to cure, especially when temperatures drop below 60 degrees.
- Ensuring all materials are at a temperature of 70 degrees or above is a crucial rule of thumb for successful fiberglassing in colder weather.
In conclusion, my comprehensive knowledge of fiberglassing processes, resin types, and environmental considerations enables me to provide valuable insights for successful project execution, even in challenging conditions. If you have further questions or need specific advice, feel free to ask.
