Can I use bondo glass below freezing?

"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
12/02/2014 at 17:07 • Filed to: None

Just that question.

DISCUSSION (12)

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
12/02/2014 at 17:24

Well, it shouldn't actually freeze, per se, but I don't know what the required temp for the hardening reaction actually is. It may generate enough heat of its own down very low indeed - but I'd be prepared for it to take a really long time.

Cold temps can bring other complications as well, like the presence of condensate - even invisibly tiny droplets could still ruin adhesion.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
12/02/2014 at 17:27

I'll probably just wait til spring, then. Thanks!

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
12/02/2014 at 17:29

If you heat your project up somewhere dry and can keep it warm afterward until set, this isn't that bad a time of year to do stuff. Any warm places will be dry as well, that's why.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
12/02/2014 at 17:30

Such as in a dry garage?

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
12/02/2014 at 17:33

If you can get it dry enough for long enough. The body metal will really need to warm up to ambient and not be *any* cooler than the surrounding air, or even when dry you'll still be fighting the condensate.

Actually, from a theoretical standpoint, the best result would be after heating up the garage as hot as you could stand it, then allowing the air to cool. Hot car in a warm dry garage = inconceivably dry. Like, lab-quality.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
12/02/2014 at 17:35

Alrighty. The garage is about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Would it be better if I just vented the area, and kept the car stationary in the garage?

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
12/02/2014 at 17:38

Warmer would probably be better, but you still might be fine. You might even try hair-dryering the area you're working on and leaving the garage closed.

crowmolly > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
12/02/2014 at 17:46

Or get a hold of a heat gun. They aren't that expensive.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > crowmolly
12/02/2014 at 17:51

Yep. The bottom line is - the car can't be cooler than the air, and the air can't be too frisky with dewpoint close to ambient. That, and the faster the cure, the less time for untoward things to happen - like the fiberglass falling out.

crowmolly > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
12/02/2014 at 18:03

I take it you have attempted this as well, good sir? Ha ha.

Maybe 15 years ago I used fiber mat in a 30* garage and while it came out great it was a total disaster getting everything correct.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > crowmolly
12/02/2014 at 18:04

I think mine was more like 45 degrees. Not recommended, broadly speaking.

Frank Grimes > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
12/02/2014 at 20:40

The can might tell you. Or find a intructions PDF on 3m website. I would think it would be too cold to harden properly.