My epoxy resin is hardening in it's container

General Discussion
1

Hi Everyone,

I hope someone can help my out with an ongoing problem I’ve been having with epoxy resin that I haven’t used yet. I’ve been using Resin Research epoxy for about 4 years (never used another brand) and have had to throw out at least two gallons worth over the years due the the resin turning to a super thick tar like consistency in the jug. I only do a few boards a year and like to buy a 1.5 gallon kit when I restock. I’ve had at least 4 partial containers of resin turn in to unusable goo.

At first I thought maybe I mistakenly put the lid for the hardener on the resin bottle and something dripped in so I started labeling my lids and recapping the bottle immediately after pouring. But it happened again.

My next thought was that it was due to the temperature where the bottles were stored. I was working in the garage and it would get pretty cold (down to 40 F) some times so I moved the bottles inside after I noticed some thick stuff on the bottom of the bottle. That didn’t help and eventually over a couple of months inside, the stuff gummed up completely.

Theory three was that once it started to gum up, there was no stopping it and if it was due to a cold storage area, then I would make sure never to store it anywhere but inside at room temp. Unfortunately, this has not worked either. The last 1.5 gallon kit I purchased in April 2010. By August, the bottom of the bottle was starting to gum up and it has progressed since to a point that out of 2/3 gallon of unused resin, 2/3 has turned to gummy unusable goo.

The shelf life is supposed to be a year and I couldn’t find anyone else having problems like this so if anyone has a clue to why this is happening, I’d love to know what I am doing wrong. The expense and waste is driving me crazy.

Thanks

-rtnc

2

for reference, my resin gets stored in a garage in southern california…not a particularly cold place, but it still does this.

though KK doesn’t seem to do this as readily as the CE.

 

3

that's really weird. i've got a 3 gallon kit that's at least 2 years old, probably closer to 4, and i just used it this week. no problems... i was actually worried that i was storing it too hot. my storage shed gets up to about 90* during the summer.

4

Yeah. I’m not sure what is going on? Was the resin all one consistency or did you notice any thick stuff at all at the bottom of the bottle?

5

i'll have to go double check... i'm almost done with it though and didn't notice anything

6

I've had it turn to an applesauce consistency but it liquified readily with some heat via microwave.  I've heard people use hot water baths also.

7

Thanks John. I’ll try that and see if it helps.

8

Send it to us and we’ll send you some new.

9

Thanks Greg! I really appreciate it. I still wish I could figure out what I’m doing wrong. I’ll send it to your Florida location is that works for you. Any tips on preventing this from happening would be greatly appreciated.

-rtnc

10

congratulations…you have been throwing perfectly good resin away!

this thickening occurs when it is stored in cool/cold conditions.

microwave it or soak the jug in a hot water bath and it goes back to its original state.

that loehr immediately offers to replace is a testament to his customer service but probably totally unecessary.

11

I agree, microwave for 10-15 seconds and it should be very liquid-y.

12

Thanks afoaf. I’ll try the microwave/hot water bath before thing troubling Greg for a replacement. I bought this last batch in April and i’m not sure it gotten below 65 F here since then but its worth a shot. Glad someone else has seen this though. I was starting to think someone (who will remain nameless but she knows who she is) was sabotaging my resin so that I had no excuse to be in my shop.

 

13

I've had the same issue with RR epoxy and just figured it had a given shelf life. Is this not the case? Thanks, C

14

No worries mate!

Had the same thing with the A-component (the resin, not the hardener)

Put the resin “au bain marie” then stirr it and it will be fine.

15

I have had this happen to me also

not so much tar but a ball of rubber inside a liquid

 

???????

I just figured I F"d up somehow/ where and threw it out

 

I got some now that has been sitting for awhile , no problems,,, I think

16

Here’s a rock hard bottle of Resin Research 2000 CE revived in the microwave. Watch the Video Here

I’ve been microwaving epoxy (resin component only!) for years and it ALWAYS cures.

~Brian

 

17

ahhhh frig. good thing I read this post. just about to throw out a full 1 gal jug. thanks for all the posts!!! stoked i can use that resin again. 

18

you should still throw it away…in my trashcan. thanks.

19

But don't microwave the hardener or the additive-F!  Put additive-F in a warm water bath with the cap loosened,

20

But don't microwave the hardener or the additive-F!  Put additive-F in a warm water bath with the cap loosened, so