Panel Bond in the fridge??

[Douglas C.]

I've been waiting for cooler weather here in Texas to bond my front end onto my '63 cnvt.

Does putting your bonding agent and hardner in the fridge for a few days give you extra working time? Anybody try this with success?

Thanks in advance for your replies,

--Doug

[Dick G.]

Re: Panel Bond in the fridge??

Doug
Try to find a bonding adhesive that will naturally give you a longer working time. I am considering one of 3M's 2 part adhesives with the longer working time. The working time if I remember correctly was about 30-45 minutes. What type/brand of adhesive are you thinking of using? If you are determined to use your adhesive in the fridge idea, then do a test run. Mix up some from your fridge with hardener and after it's mixed up watch the clock and time how long before it chages consitency. The moment it does not feel like it did when you were mixing it up then note the time. For a front end you will want lots of time. Let us know your type/brand of adhesive and how it all works out.
DG

[Wayne W.]

Re: Panel Bond in the fridge??

It will give you an extra few minutes, but not a lot. It makes the mixup harder and slower because the material is sooo stiff. Its makes application a little slower. Being at a cooler temperature helps a little, but after the material is applied to the panel, it heats up quickly and then sets with a bang. You can adjust hardner amounts to a degree, but there is a limit. You have to get enough hardner to make a good reaction. You should be OK with most any material below 80 deg. above 90 is when it becomes interesting. If you want to use polyester material , the best I have found is Corvette Image. It is good consistency, OK color, and is activated by liquid hardner. It is easier to control the speed of the reaction with liquid hardner. The epoxy, urethane, products are great and some have good times, but I have jet to find one with the correct look when applied. They are all too loose and slick looking.