Kribman Posted February 3, 2008 Report Share Posted February 3, 2008 If I mix my epoxy clear coat in a plastic cup, is there a way that I can store it without it hardening? Also, how long should I wait between epoxy layers? thanks for any responses... kribman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted February 3, 2008 Report Share Posted February 3, 2008 Two part epoxy is a chemical reaction. So once it is mixed, it is going off, no matter what. You can slow it down by reducing temperature, but this might not be enough to solve your time problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 Sorry, no, it won't store. I feel your pain! You can recoat epoxy anytime after it begins to set up hard enough for the new coat not to move it around on the lure - a couple of hours is enough for Devcon Two Ton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
braveviper Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 I heard you can keep it in the freezer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 I apply Devcon in a cold garage and it cures right up. Devcon is on the ragged edge of being too thick to brush after 6-10 minutes at room temps. I just don't believe there's any way to stop the cure. Maybe at absolute zero? Epoxy generates it's own heat during curing and the larger the epoxy mass, the hotter the reaction. That's why guys spread it out on a sheet of aluminum foil after mixing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kribman Posted February 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 Wait, cold makes it cure faster than heat? Would I be able to apply the clear coat in side, run it outside into my garage and turn it by hand for ten or so minutes and it will be cured? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 No. It will get hard in 4 hrs if cured in a 100-120 degree environment like a heat box lined with foil with a few 100W bulbs inside. At 75 degrees it hardens in 6-8 hours. That's hard enough to touch and handle lightly, not hard enough to fish. A cold room retards the cure slightly. Regardless, epoxy takes about 24 hours to reach "initial cure" of about 90% and takes about a week to cure 100%. I'm like everyone, it would be great to get instant gratification. But it takes time whatever you do. After many baits, a few ruined and some with fingerprints in the clearcoat, you'll decide to be patient and let them hang for a day. If you're using Devcon Two Ton (not thinned with solvent) on bass baits, most consider a single coat sufficient. The stuff is pretty thick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kribman Posted February 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 Thanks Bob, always coming in in the clutch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
