Monday, July 18, 2011

Tips for applying epoxy coating in hot weather.

When applying any coating system in warmer weather it is important to remember these key items.

  • Ventilation
  • Humidty
  • Material Temperature
Ventilation.
Your safety is paramount. Read the MSDS and technical data on the material thoroughly. Open windows, doors and wear the proper PPE (personal protective device) for the job. If feeling dizzy or nauseous, stop work and seek medical attention immediately.

Humidity.
This is a concern for epoxy and urethane products. Epoxy can get cloudy if the humidity is too high when it is curing. Some urethanes (moisture cured urethanes) will activate faster as the humidity rises. Read the technical data for acceptable humidity levels.

Material Temperature.
Keep your epoxy and/or urethane material in a relatively cool area (70-75 deg. F) for the 24 hour period leading up to the project. It will help keep your working time in check. Hot epoxy can start to cure prematurely. A pro-installer may even keep his mixing bucket in a cool pan of water to slow the curing process down.

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