epoxy help what went wrong?

[tacoman]

i painted my spinnerbaits.  they dried.  got some devcon 2-ton epoxy.  mixed it all together.  was able to do 3 spinnerbaits and then it got so hard when i stuck my brush in it it wouldn't let go.  it had only been mixed for about 3-5 minutes.  the ones that i was able to do turned out good.  why did it harden so quickly in the cup?  please help!

[justtrying]

tacoman,

apparently you were using 5 min epoxy.  if you put too much hardner in, it will harden QUICKLY!  ..it really needs to be measured Accurately.

mix another batch, make sure you have exact amount of epoxy & hardner, & you should have a little longer work time.  ...or, just go w/some 20 or 30 minute epoxy.

hope this helps

ronnie

[tacoman]

thats the thing. i made sure i didn't get the 5 minute stuff and it said on the package it had 30 minute working time. i also made sure i mixed it all that way i knew it was equall amounts. i don't know. i guess i'll make another trip to walmart and try again.

any suggestions before i waste another batch? :-/

[Munkin]

Things I have found out about Devcon: Read the front of the package 30 minute epoxy only has a 15-20 minute working time. Use a metal paperclip to stir with and my equally (very important or else it will harden too quick or still be sticky two weeks later). Devcon can be thinned with denatured alcohol just use a tiny amount (I suggest a small plastic syringe from the dollar store). If you want to use Devcon that takes longer than 30 minutes to dry remember to rotate the bait so that excess epoxy does not build up on the lowest point of the bait.

Allen

[kbkindle]

kb here if you want to slow the drying time what ever you mix epoxy in put some ice in a rag and set epoxy cup on top  kb i have to do this in the summer  not the winter though  kb

[BORDERBASSER]

One thing I have found and it rings true for all epoxies, is you need to get it out of the cup and spread it out on something.  I too have had the same problem in the past with the 30min. epoxy.  You need to remember that two part epoxy cures by heat.  When you leave the mix in a small confined area like your cup, the exothermic reation is actually exagerated.  If you will spread it out on to some foil or something, you will find that your working time will increase.

TJ

[tacoman]

i was thinking maybe next time i'll just mix enough to do 2 or 3 then mix some more and so on. those that i did get to do turned out really good. going to go ahead and do the new ones i got also. those stanley spinnerbaits don't hold there paint well at all. maybe this will help. do yall think so?

oh yeah after i ruined that batch i went back to walmart to get some more.  they didn't have anymore.  oh well thats my luck guess i'll have to wait and try again later.

thanks for your help all.