Epoxy not drying

[Socophreak]

Boss decided to put epoxy down in his shop. Used a product called enviro epoxy 2-part epoxy. He used 4 boxes.

Long story short, 5 days later still tacky in large spots. The cases of product may have been frozen as they were over a year old. It also may be possible that they weren't mixed properly, but this isn't the first time they've laid epoxy.

What's the best/ easiest way to either "repair" or fix the floor? Would it be feasible to sand or clean the area and add another coat?

Thanks in advance

 

[Garage Flooring]

Boss decided to put epoxy down in his shop. Used a product called enviro epoxy 2-part epoxy. He used 4 boxes.

Long story short, 5 days later still tacky in large spots. The cases of product may have been frozen as they were over a year old. It also may be possible that they weren't mixed properly, but this isn't the first time they've laid epoxy.

What's the best/ easiest way to either "repair" or fix the floor? Would it be feasible to sand or clean the area and add another coat?

Thanks in advance

A two part epoxy cures by chemical reaction. There are three main reasons why an epoxy will not cure.

First and most often, the product was improperly mixed and/or you did not scrape the cans and get the proper amounts out of the can.

Second, I have seen some epoxies have a reaction to a coating that is below them and not cure.

Third, and not very likely this time of year is certain two part epoxies will cure much slower at lower temperatures.

An educated guess it that Part A and Part B were not properly mixed or mixed at the wrong proportions

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Scrape and wipe with xylene . Sounds like water based epoxy that was not mixed correctly.

 

[Socophreak]

Makes sense that it may have not been mixed properly. Would it being frozen have any effect on the solution? Its also been quite hot here and many other spots are completely dry.

There was some epoxy underneath that was painted over. Its not consistent with the areas of epoxy underneath, though. It was the same stuff and the whole floor was scraped and Cleaned with a rotary floor scrubber.

I will let him know to scrape and clean with xylene. Does this absolutely need to be done to the entire floor or spots? I don't think that they're terribly concerned about it chipping or pulling up, tbh.

 

[dcs Inc]

I would have him monitor the "wet" spot for a few days. It may be that the catalyst wasn't totally mixed. I thats the case then it will eventually cure. If it just wasn't mixed then he's out of luck. If he sees it getting less and less tacky then he may be OK if he can be patient.

The xylene wipe is a PIA for your information. If it's pretty tacky, a heat gun and a sharp scraper will help.

 

[Edger]

I had exactly the same problem on a job once. Got the manufacturer out, used heaters, tried lots of things that did not work. I later checked my inventory and found I had too much part B!

Mixing two part A's together instead of an A and a B will produce your result. Check your stocks - very embarrassing, but it happens sometimes.

The only answer was to scrape it all off, scrub with solvent, use powerful detergent, heavy duty pressure jet wash, dry and start again - a very bad week at the office as they say.

 

[Socophreak]

We rented a grinder, ground it all down will wipe all edges with solvents and start fresh. Is xylene the best?

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

That is what we would use. Very strong.

 

[dna9656]

Your scraper is your new best friend....

 

[Socophreak]

Your scraper is your new best friend....

LOL The guy who stays in the shop all the time is doing all that. Bought a scraper blade for a reciprocating saw and he is throwing solvent down and then scraping. Seems to be working. I think they will re-paint in areas instead of doing the entire floor again.