Too much activator

[sun]

All,

I just coated my garage with epoxy-coat. On the last couple of batches, my helper ended up putting more activator (thought we were running out of material for some reason, who knows). On these 2 batches, the epoxy is not curing, and it has been 64 hours and it is still tacky. You can still put a finger print in the stuff. The rest of the floor is completely fine and you can walk on it with no issues.

I called epoxy-coat at the said to just wait it out. It seems like it hasn't done anything in the last 24 hours. Should I think about removing the stuff? If so, what's the best way?

Thanks in advance,
Sun

 

[Hammerdown]

Are you sure you used too much activator? Typically there would not be an issue with any product curing if you use too much activator, as it's the part that causes the catalyzation and would cause the product to cure on schedule or even quicker, perhaps too fast. Using too much inert base in comparrison to the activator would usually be the culprit for a coating not curing or curing very slowly. This has been my experience anyway. The products can take longer to cure, so I'd wait it out as the Mfg. recommends. There is a certain point that if the product has not cured, it will not, and that will vary by the product. Colder temperatures or higher humidity can also cause the product to take longer to cure.

 

[sun]

It is definitely too much activator. It was the last batch, so it was getting colder throughout the day. I'm in Seattle, Washington and the weather has been in the low 40's, but not under.

 

[rugerlady]

Sun,
I spoke with you on the phone. You are referring to the resin or Part A, that he had used too much of. If you put too much activator or Part B in the mix, it will harden up on you faster, as I explained.
I still think you should wait a couple more days before doing anything because it does seem like the floor is progressing. As I stated, please check the floor at least 2 times a day to ensure that we are moving forward towards a good cure. If there is no progress or the floor is still gooey, then we have to start talking about a removsl process.
Personally, I would rather wait a couple days than have to remove a mess. Removing uncured epoxy is not a fun job. Call me if you need anymore assistance with your project or in 2 days as I instructed earlier to give me an update on the curing process.

 

[sun]

It was definitely the clear resin, part B. What if it was a 1:1 mix?

 

[Hammerdown]

That low 40's will definately extend the cure time. I'd listen to Rugerlady and wait on it more. If it is progressively getting less tacky then I think you should be OK, eventually.
Let us know how it goes. Good luck!

 

[v7guy]

if it really is too much activator it will cure more quickly, the low temps will delay the reaction. but if there is to much activator and it's well mixed it will cure... although it will be delayed under the low temps it should cure.

 

[sun]

As of this morning, there are still some soft spots, but it does seem to be curing slowly in some areas. These areas are not shiny like the other ones however. I will keep monitoring it. Thanks for all the responses.

 

[thegarageguy]

Seems you confused the "A" and "B" part. It may never cure correctly.