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Old Epoxy
Posted by:
Earl Estrada
(156.75.79.---)
Date: July 24, 2017 03:13PM
So I picked up some stuff from another builder in the area (very nice guy, thanks Mike!), and got a few bottles of old epoxy, and a LOT of it. And by the looks, its pretty old since the part A is very clear, but part B is almost brown. It is two different brands, both equally brown.
So I decided to test them. I found out that one of the brands is SUPER thick, and cures very fast. It is also VERY hard. You can feel the heat during curing. I suspect it is no good anymore, at least for rod building. Doesnt say how fast it is supposed to cure, but its flex coat, so I assume slow. It cures slight yellow, and with an ever so slight haze. The second batch (will update with brand later), it doesn't specify high or lite build, but its very thin, so I suspect it must be a lite build. It is very runny when mixed, and cures very slowly, maybe over 18 hours. It is fully cured now, and very flexible. It also cured with a slight yellow color, but very clear otherwise. So, the batch that is good, is slightly yellow when cured. Other than discoloration, is there any reason I should not use the second, thinner epoxy? Is there any practical application for the "fast" epoxy, where color is no consequence? My plan is that I would just use the thin on dark threads where color is of no consequence or builds where perfection is no object, like practice, or my own beater rods. Just wanna make sure there are no other consequences I am not able to foresee. Thanks guys! Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/24/2017 03:17PM by Earl Estrada. Re: Old Epoxy
Posted by:
Tom Kirkman
(Moderator)
Date: July 24, 2017 04:42PM
Both will still work. The amber or yellow coloration is natural and won't be as noticeable in a thin application over thread unless you're working with a very light color - white, light blue, etc. Of course, given what epoxy costs (not much) you might be more comfortable with fresh stock in whatever epoxy product that you prefer.
............... Re: Old Epoxy
Posted by:
Scott Hovanec
(---.pitbpa.east.verizon.net)
Date: July 26, 2017 04:25PM
I'd wager the fast curing, heat throwing one is an adhesive epoxy and not thread finish. Re: Old Epoxy
Posted by:
Earl Estrada
(156.75.79.---)
Date: July 27, 2017 07:09AM
It is Flex Coat, and appears to be for threads, at least the bottle says so. Makes me wonder, how old, and if some of the thinners are able to evaporate off over time. Re: Old Epoxy
Posted by:
Tom Kirkman
(Moderator)
Date: July 27, 2017 08:01AM
There are no thinners nor solvents in these products. They are 100% solids epoxy.
............ Re: Old Epoxy
Posted by:
Earl Estrada
(172.58.168.---)
Date: July 27, 2017 08:55AM
I am no expert, but I have been using epoxies for over 20 years, and I always thought the hardner was made with several solvents. In fact, after looking at 7 or so MSDS sheets just to check, and they all had at least one solvent, most of them having benzenemethanol, or benzyl alcohol. I am not sure how susceptible to evaporation those are, but I would assume there is also solvents in our hardeners, despite the fact that I couldn't find the MSDS for FlexCoat. Re: Old Epoxy
Posted by:
roger wilson
(---.hsd1.mn.comcast.net)
Date: July 27, 2017 02:06PM
Earl,
The best and safest thing to do with all of the epoxy is to dump it and purchase new. When you build a rod, you get a lot of money in materials and many hours of your time on some special builds. Why take even a slight chance of using a product that may make your money and time spent to produce any thing less than a perfect product. Be safe Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
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