Refrigerating Resin

A few months ago, I received some advice from a kayak builder who suggested that I refrigerate the resin before use in order to increase the workable time of the resin. He told me that this was the only way he could build kayaks year round here (Texas) as it is often 90 degrees plus. I put this advise to use around a month ago, and had excellent results. The working time of the resin nearly tripled. Increased working time was important to me because it was still quite warm here and this was my first time working with Kevler/carbon fiber cloth. Also, (according to the kayak builder) this practice results in a stronger lay-up; as the resin has more time to evacuate volatiles and to build longer chain like bonds. Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else refrigerates their resin and what thoughts they may have on the subject.

That sounds very interesting. How long did you refrig for and at what temp? Was the resin poly based? Where you using the normal type organic MEKP? I can’t wait to see my wife’s face when she finds a gallon of laminating resin next to the milk!

That sounds very interesting. How long did you refrig for and at what > temp? Was the resin poly based? Where you using the normal type organic > MEKP? I can’t wait to see my wife’s face when she finds a gallon of > laminating resin next to the milk! Yes, I used poly based resin. In fact it was ISO/Ortho catalyzed with regular MEKP. I put the resin in the frig. over night. I think the frig is set somewhere in the low 40s. But I am not sure on this. The outside air temp. was in the high 80s to lower 90s. This was the first time I used the ISO/Ortho resin so, I cannot comment one way or the other on, if the length of time used to cure the resin contributes to its strength. However, I can say with a great deal of certainty that the 929 ISO/Ortho is a good deal tougher than regular 249A. And yes, the resin in the refrigerator did create a problem with the wife. But she got over it. Shes cool that way&

I also put my resin in the fridge. When you see refrigerators in laminator shops, you know something’s up. The only good UV epoxy mix I can find kicks off fast. Epoxy is even more heat sensitive than poly. The problem with refrigerating resin is that the lower temperatures thicken the resin. Thickened resin is harder to mix, and it doesn’t soak through glass layers as well. Still, I get by spending more time stirring additives into the cooler resin. I spread the resin onto the glass before it warms up. No more hardened pots, or melting foam before the resin spreads. As the resin warms, I’m spreading it thin enough that the hardening process doesn’t get to feed off a thick slab of resin heat. Refrigerating lam resin at least doubles the working time. For a f*** up like me, it makes the difference between success and failure.

The only good UV epoxy mix I can find kicks off fast. Epoxy is even more > heat sensitive than poly. The problem with refrigerating resin is that the > lower temperatures thicken the resin. Thickened resin is harder to mix, > and it doesn’t soak through glass layers as well. I too noticed somewhat increased viscosity. However, I was told to expect this when using the ISO/Ortho resin. I did not wet multiple layers at once, however I did wet out thick Kevlar/carbon with no problem. I too am a f*** up, so the extra working time was a real plus. Also, I was able to pull out a good deal more resin from the lam job before it gelled.

As I live in Florida and have no air conditioning where I glass at all, this will help greatly! I will tell the wife lam goes well with brocolli!!>>> I too noticed somewhat increased viscosity. However, I was told to expect > this when using the ISO/Ortho resin. I did not wet multiple layers at > once, however I did wet out thick Kevlar/carbon with no problem.>>> I too am a f*** up, so the extra working time was a real plus. Also, I was > able to pull out a good deal more resin from the lam > job before it gelled.

THIS is why sway’s rules!..unbelieveable! thanks for the hot tip, boys…WAY cool! shut-up! - Little Richard

I’ve had more problem with cold resin not kicking than the other way around. I use to have an old microwave in my garage that I would zap my resin in to heat it up. Please don’t do this at home. I’m probably lucky I didn’t burn the place down.