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Drying times for epoxy (bondtite)

smokey1856

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So it is going to be about 35 degrees outside, 60ish in the garage, when I put down my Wolverine Bondtite epoxy over new VCT. Anyone able to provide times on how long I should expect for it to be dry to touch, able to walk on, able to move things back into the garage, etc?

Thanks.
 
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AlphaGarage

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35f is too cold for BT1109 - lowest acceptable is 40f. At 40f it will take quite a bit longer than usual, it could be 12 hours or more depending on humidity etc. Below 40f you risk compromising long term durability and even not fully curing. Wait for a warmer stretch of weather.

BTW this as good a thread as any to point out that a 100% solids epoxy does not "dry", it "cures" by exothermic reaction. In short there are chemicals in the 2 components that when combined generate heat. This heat in turns causes other components to change from their liquid state to a solid state, they get very hard.

The lower that self generated heat, the longer the transformation from fluid to solid will take.

If the slab underneath and surrounding air temperature are too low they will draw heat energy away from the coating, which may leave the coating with not enough heat energy to propel the fluid to solid cure process. The end result may then be a coating which will never fully harden.

If the weather is too cold one can heat the slab and air to acceptable levels (I'd shoot for at least 55f). If you do decide to heat the area do not use kerosene or diesel fueled heaters, they can produce gases which negatively effect the cure process. Use natural gas, propane, in ground, or electric heat sources only. And if you use space heaters avoid having the heat source too close to the coating, you don't want real high temp hot spots either.
 
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smokey1856

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AG,
The garage is heated and has been at 60-65 degrees in there for past week (pre and post vct install). Still not recommending?
 

AlphaGarage

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If the slab and air temps are 60f - coat away! (Missed that point in your initial post - sorry)

One area to check though - right by the garage door. If it's considerably colder due to air seeping underneath the closed door you may want to address that by placing tarp or some temp barrier outside against the edge.
 
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smokey1856

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Thanks AG. Was posting on here so didn't keep bombarding you with emails, in case someone else had the answer in order to give ya a break from my 10000 questions,lol. Thanks again and yes, my question should be how long for it to cure.

So while we are here, what are rough times for curing that I should be able to touch cleanly, move things (tool chests, table saw on wheels, etc) back in, walk on it (main pathway into house), etc?

Thanks!!!!
 

AlphaGarage

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Just check to be sure it's tack free, then you can walk on it. Wait about 36 - 48 hours before driving and placing boxes etc, and a good 5 days before dragging tables etc. Always check the cure/hardness on an inconspicuous spot first.
 
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