I have 2 sets of greatplanes 6 minute and 30 minute epoxy. They are about a year and a half old. I went to use them today and they simply wont setup! I tried the six minute and it hasn't even started to jell and I mixed it 2 hours ago. I tried the 30 minute just to see if the other was bad, and it wont setup either after 50 minutes. Help!
Anyone have any ideas? Is in too old? I mixed it well, it is 50%, 50%. I've used them lots of times before with no problems. I still have about three quarters of the bottle left in each.
Any ideas? Thanks

I haven't had any problems with age, but I HAVE had problems with the temperature being too cold in the winter. What is the temp. in your work area?

Best of luck,

Ernie

Ditto, try setting the mixture in the microwave for 15 seconds. It will get real thin. mix it up a little and see if it doesn't set up.

Ernie, no problems with age here either, for the shop, I just fire up the wood burner...

As for the epoxy, I've never had a problem with old epoxy unless it crystalizes, then I warm it up in the microwave in a bowl of water (doubleboiler, just don't boil it).

My advice is toss it.

I had some six minute epoxy that was at least 10 years old. For all but three years of the time I owned this epoxy it was kept in an utility building. The heat and air was on only when I was in the shop. Until this past week it was still setting on a shelf in my shop.

Last week I blew the dust off the bottle and found the hardener half look OK, but the epoxy half was so thick it would not come out the nozzle. I took the cap off the epoxy half and the contents came out like tooth paste. I mixed it with the hardener like usual and it set up and seemed to work fine.

Now I would not suggest using epoxy in this condition for anything critical, but after ten years of being exposed to freezing and to temps well in excess of 100 it would still set up.

I bet it was temp. I opened a window just a crack for ventilation. It was still plenty warm for indoors, but that was probably it.
Thanks.

I seem to recall that there was a problem a couple years ago with Great Planes epoxy. I think Tower was replacing a bad batch back then. Now it is probably too late for that. If I were you I would throw those away and start fresh.

Get rid of the GP epoxy, I've heard not-so-good things about it. Try NHP Epoxy-5. It will cure in 20-degree weather (as proven in my garage) and sets like a rock once it is cured all the way. If you need something that will stay useable longer and cure slower for a stronger bond, try BSI 15-minute mid-cure, NHP epoxy-12, or any other of the 30-minute-or-longer epoxies from BSI. They make a 3-hour epoxy that sets so strong I use it as my fiberglass resin. Also, see if the particular job you're doing can be done successfully with CA. By all means, if it requires the strength of epoxy, use epoxy, but I've seen thin CA used on many quick fixes that one might be tempted to 5-minute-epoxy. Bottom line, use an epoxy from a company that exclusively produces adhesives. That's why BSI, ZAP, and NHP expoxies and CA's are so good-they're the only thing the company makes. Buying your adhesives from a company that primarily sells model airplanes, and you risk compromising the quality of what you are buying.
Good luck!

I forgot about that. There was some talk about a batch that would not cure, but he said he had used it before with good results. Replacing it is still what I would do, if for no other reason than peace of mind.

I had to check that out about the NHP 5 minute epoxy. Sure enough, just that one, they say will cure in freezing temps.

Ernie

UltraStick,
If it was the temp, then getting heat to it now oughta get it to cure.

It's been sittin for well over a day now and it isn't even close to setting up. It jelled just a little, but thats it.
Does anyone use any standard adhesives such as the stuff at WalMart? Its a lot cheaper!

If it doesn't set up right the 1st time, adding heat later is of no use. It is important to get the reaction between the two parts the 1st time..... bummer.

Ernie

Ernie is right, if it doesn't cure the first time, give up on it. Like I said, go out and get yourself some high-quality epoxy. Buying the cheapo stuff from Walmart is just asking for trouble. The good stuff may be a bit pricier, but you can rest assured that you're getting a good product that won't fail you. The last thing you want is for your epoxy or CA to fail in mid-flight. Spending an extra buck now is a lot better than buying a new plane later because of crummy epoxy, unless you like to build

Jake

There are some neat epoxies out there. Check out the epoxy that West Marine stores sell; it's their own brand. Very premium stuff!

Ernie

West Systems is awsome stuff and they sell a lot of varieties...just don't tell them you are "building planes" with it, they may have a fit.

I have also found some really good stuff at Home Depot and Lowe's...big containers too, not just the little tubes, but pint cans (quart kit).

The best by far is Aircraft Spruce and Specialty- www.aircraftspruce.com

They have a huge variety of epoxies/adhesives (T-88 structural adhesive is a mega strength epoxy and it cures down to 35 degrees F- in fact it's made for builders of homebuilts who live in cooler climates) and the prices can't be beat- except on the CA they sell, it's not cheap and the same stuff you buy in the hobby shop.