The temperatures here in Virginia will be in the 60- 70 range in April but in the high 40s at night. Will that be a problem if I epoxy during the day? Or will the cold night temps also effect the curing process?
It’ll slow down the cure, but if you actually mix and apply the epoxy when it’s above 60 you should be fine. Just allow a little extra time for structural components, like fillets, to cure and don’t sand until the epoxy is too hard to dent with your thumbnail.
Laszlo
What Laszlo said plus…
Make sure your epoxy is warm before you start. Either store it in a heated location or warm it in a bucket of hot water. It will be easier to mix and start curing more rapidly.
In the morning, use a space heater or heat lamp to warm the parts of the boat that you are working with.
When glassing, schedule your work so that temps are warmest when you start and going down. This will prevent outgassing/bubbles.
Thanks. Perhaps I should start in May.
I already have the epoxy indoors. It might be better if I wait until May. Thanks for the suggestions.
When I did my Mill Creek build outdoors in Austin, I faced similar temperatures- sweet spot days and cool nights. A coupe of drop lights with 60W incandescent bulbs under a poly tarp maintained temperature in good curing range overnight. Kept tarp clamped and tied to minimize air exchange from wind blowing and it coming in direct contact with lamps. Temps were verified with a digital thermometer with remote probe and min/max memory.
I broke down and ordered a space heater for the garage. At least I can get an optimal temperature earlier in the day with a heater. I may get some lamps also. Although, I am reluctant to keep the heater or the lamps on all night. The wife would surely veto that idea. Thanks for the input.