Processing epoxy at cold temperatures

In this article you will read how cold temperatures affect the curing of epoxy casting resin .

In the colder months, we see more and more questions about the use of epoxy. In this article, we share the important tips and tricks on how to work best in winter temperatures. Here are some handy tips to ensure that your project also goes well in the cold.

Processing time and curing time

According to experts, epoxy casting resin is best processed at a temperature of 21°C.

At lower temperatures, processing takes longer and the curing time increases.
At higher temperatures the opposite happens: the processing time becomes shorter and the epoxy actually hardens faster.

Take for example our universal UltraEpoxy Premium Art . At room temperature you have about 30-40 minutes to process the resin, and a thin layer is cured after about 12 hours. If you use this resin at a temperature of 15°C, the processing time can increase to an hour and the curing can take up to 48 hours.

What is the best temperature to process epoxy?

The best temperature for processing and pouring epoxy is around 21°C, which corresponds to room temperature. This does differ slightly per epoxy type. Always read the instructions on the packaging of the product carefully. At 21°C, the epoxy usually hardens the fastest. If the temperature is lower, the hardening process is slower, but you do have more time to process the epoxy.

Although working with epoxy in cold conditions is not ideal, it is certainly possible with the right approach. When working with epoxy during the winter months, there are a number of tips you can follow to do so successfully. Our epoxy experts share the most important tips with you.

Tips for Faster Curing of Epoxy

Epoxy hardens through heat. You can therefore make your epoxy casting or coating harden faster through more heat. The simplest solution for this is to increase the room temperature. We have listed the best tips for you:

See if you have the option to move the project to a warmer room.
Heat the epoxy in a bain-marie (place the bottles with the caps closed in a bowl of warm water) so that the epoxy is at room temperature before you start pouring.
Choose a faster curing epoxy, such as our Universal Fast Cure UltraEpoxy , which works better at lower temperatures than other epoxy resins.
Avoid cold winds while working, especially when doing outdoor jobs like boat repairs. A tarpaulin can help with this.
If possible, heat your workplace, for example with a heater or covering foil.
Try to schedule your work on a day with milder temperatures.
Working outside? Start coating or pouring early in the day, but wait until any dew has disappeared so the epoxy has enough time to dry.
Use narrow, deep mixing cups instead of wide roller bowls to mix the epoxy.
Please note that the result may be less perfect due to slower curing. Any surface imperfections can be sanded away later.
Do not use a heat mat, food dehydrator or other equipment. First of all, this is unsafe and there is a big chance that epoxy will harden incorrectly.

How long does it take for epoxy to harden?

Temperature plays a major role in how quickly epoxy hardens. Epoxy itself also generates heat during the hardening process. At higher temperatures, the epoxy will therefore harden faster. In a warm environment, the process goes faster, while at colder temperatures it often goes slower. If the temperature is around 15 °C degrees or lower, some epoxy may not harden at all. You do not have this problem with our high-quality UltraEpoxy epoxy resins.

Want to know more about working with epoxy in winter?

With these tips, you can successfully complete most projects during the winter. Do you have any questions or would you like personal advice about your job? At itsOkay, several epoxy experts work, each with their own expertise. We are happy to help you. Contact itsOkay customer service or take a look at the Epoxy knowledge center .