3m 4200 cure & temperature

CalebD · Mar 25, 2013

From the 3M website:
"3M™ Marine Adhesive/Sealants 5200, FC5200 and FC4200 should not be applied when temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The product will not cure. The optimum curing environment is 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 50% humidity."

So the answer is you should wait for it warm up like the rest of us.

Don S/V ILLusion · Mar 25, 2013

py26129 said:
Mainesail

As part of the work scheduled this spring, I will be changing our a couple of thru hull fittings for my cockpit drains. I will bed the new thru hulls with 4200. The problem is that winter is a little reluctant to leave us and the temps are still quite cold.

I remember reading that 4200 could be used down to about 40F but can't find the reference anymore. What about the following scenario where the 4200 woudl be applied around 45F but nighttime temps drop to 25F. Will this just cause a slower cure or will this adversely affect the 4200 in some other way?

I know I could just wait but a lot of my to do list is weather dependent and a head start would be nice.

Matt

I can only add that when I lived up north and used 4200/5200 to do some repairs in winter, it took 3 weeks to cure but could not find any weakness once it (finally) did. Turned out not to be a time-saver given the curing delay and I was always left with a lingering doubt as to it's integrity once it did cure.

Stu Jackson · Mar 25, 2013

Lingering concern

What a great phrase, Don. Thanks for that.

Let's add that to SATAN'S GLUE.

Cool Beans · Mar 25, 2013

If it matters any, I installed a thru-hull Saturday afternoon with 4200 "fast cure". It was in the upper 50's mid afternoon when everything was torqued down. . .dropped into the 30's over night, and was in the low forties and raining Sunday afternoon when I went back out to the boat. Everything was cured far as I can tell. All the clean-up globs I scrapped onto a rag were solid like rubber. . .not sure how much more cured it should get

Just my 2 cents. . .

Allan12210 · Mar 25, 2013

Point a heat lamp at it overnight. Not too close to burn, just to warm the area.

waternwaves · Mar 26, 2013

Agree with Allen, use a lamp keeping it 70 on the inside and cure was fingerproof in less than 6 hours.

And if you have a throughull you cannot place a lamp near, get rid of it and relocate to a new accessible locations. All through hulls should be easily accessible in the event of failure.

Sun Coast · Mar 27, 2013

It should work fine with heat lamps.