Epoxy paint and temperature - do I have time?

[izzi81]

Hi everyone. We started building a workshop/storage building a couple of years ago, and it's been a slow progress job since then, chipping away when we had some spare time. We're finally at the stage where we can paint the floor, but I'm concerned we might have left it too late in the season.

We tried acid etching the concrete today and it did next to nothing, so the plan it to hire a Hilti 150 grinder tomorrow and do it manually. This then gives us the weekend to paint. We live in Nova Scotia Canada, and we're on the cusp of winter temperatures. I know epoxy needs above 10c (50f), but I'm not sure for how long? Our forecast for the next few days is dry and sunny, with the following temps:
Friday (tomorrow) high 18c, low 9c (64f, 48f)
Saturday high 20c, low 10c (68f, 51f)
Sunday high 21c, low 12c (69f, 53f)
Monday high 19c, low 2c (67f, 36f)

After that it's freezing or just below every night for the foreseeable future! If we can grind the floor tomorrow, and paint on Saturday, is that enough time for it to cure sufficiently to take the colder temps?

Thanks!

 

[tncatadjuster]

What product?
Each 10 degree drop doubles the cure time on conventional epoxy, it could end up running out the door.

 

[Shea]

Check the data sheets for the epoxy you are using. It will state what the minimum temps are. Epoxy can range from a minimum of 50 to 60 degrees depending on the brand. The curing process slows the colder it gets and will actually stop once it drops below the stated minimum. If it's not too far of a drop overnight it will start back up when the temps warm in the morning. When this happens, it will require longer than average for the epoxy to cure. However, if temps drop too far or for too long, it will permanently stop the curing process.

Also, check the slab temperature. It is most important since the coating will quickly take on the same temp as the slab. It works in your favor in the fall than it does going from winter to spring. The slab may actually maintain a warmer temp overnight.