Safe cure time for epoxy before use.

[BMogardo]

I recently, 3 weeks ago, repaired for syrup feeders with epoxy. I used the West System (borrowed from an old job)to seem all corners, sides and bottom. They cured in the cellar at room temp for 2 weeks and then went outside for a week or so at 40 50 degrees temp. I called tech support at West System but they wont give me a straight answer regarding a safe cure time before using on the hives. Does anyone have any experience with epoxy and a safe cure time for bees and live stock?

[Sundance]

I would think they are OK but if the company waffles that made the product I would wonder if it is food safe material.

[BMogardo]

They said that other people have used it to repair feed and water troughs for live stock and that they have never had anyone complain. It's ust that when I pressed him for a timeline to be safe, he said that he couldn't and wouldn't make a flat out safe statement.

[Dick Allen]

>cured in the cellar at room temp for 2 weeks and then went outside for a week or so at 40 50 degrees temp

When I make hive top feeders, I also seam the joints with epoxy. After it cures hard it's been good to go. The bees enjoyed the syrup.

[BMogardo]

How many days and at what temp do you allow for curing? Also, since the price was right, some corners and seams are 1/4 inch thick. The last thing I want to do is kill the bees that made it through the winter. But I also hate to waste time.

[Dick Allen]

Any epoxy I've used sets up overnight at room temperature. That's about as precise as I get with it. I suppose there is some 'outgassing' or whatever for a time after the epoxy hardens, but as I mentioned when it's set up hard, I consider it good. No bee fatalities from my feeders. Maybe let it set for a week if you are concerned. I can only speak for myself, but after two weeks, I would not hesitate to use it.

[ April 07, 2006, 11:09 PM: Message edited by: Dick Allen ]

[BMogardo]

That is goods news. I put them out yesterday on 20 + days of cure. I feel better knowing your experiences. Thanks again.

[BerkeyDavid]

Hi all, just saw this thread. I have built boats and lots of stuff with West Systems. It is the best epoxy going. As soon as it is tack free it is ok for the bees. It will gain strength. If you look at the back of the big 1 gallon can of resin it will give you a cure curve. It depends on the size (mass) of the job (pot life) plus the air temperature.

Here is a link

http://www.wessex-resins.com/westsystem/wspotlife.html

It also depends onwhich hardener you use. There are two main hardeners, the fast and the slow.

If it is cold out use the fast set up, it can be used with room temps as low as 50 degrees.

If it is warm out, use the slow cure.

I have repaired iceboats with fast cure at room temp and it has been fully cured overnight, strong enough to race.

If it has cured to the point where it is no longer sticky, it is safe for the bees. It will still need a few hours more for strenght though.

I love the stuff!