Recore side deck in winter?

[Cool Beans]

Is it possible? I have already recored. . .well, the deck isn't really cored but just has 3/8" plywood in a glass envelope that was glued to the underside of the outer skin and then the edges were taped over. . .and not that well mind you (large voids between outer skin and plywood)

This time last year I did a smaller section on the starboard side. I did it from the inside, and other than being horribly messy, it wasn't a frightening affair. The port side is worse off, and I'm thinking I might as well just do the whole side deck from the cockpit to the main bulkhead. I'll probably do it in sections to maintain stiffness, but the whole thing should be done just to get it over with

My question is, has anyone here done a project like this over the winter? Is there special epoxy I can use? My thought was, since this will be an inside job, that I could insulate by layering some furniture pads on the outside of the area I need to cure glue and then place an oil filled heater under the repair area till everything kicks off. Good idea/bad idea? I have plenty of things to do over the winter so I would be there to keep a watch on everything while it cooks. . .

Input appreciated, thanks!!

 

[tommays]

I did a glass repair today in about 50 degree weather and even with the fast hardner and a 500 watt lamp to keep it warm it took a long time to kick but cured well in about 5 hours

And that was only a 6 x 8 inch area

There is cold weather epoxy but I have never used it

 

[Cool Beans]

yeah, when I did the other side the days were reaching highs of low 50's. . .I had no heaters or blankets or anything though, I just made sure I worked on sunny days. . .took awhile to cure but everything did I just want to make sure this is even remotely doable if I end up finally doing it say, end of January or something. . .it's a might cold then, lol. I'm in the lower Chesapeake though, so not as cold as say, Ontario

 

[Ross]

In Norfolk you will surely get many days in the sixties during the winter. You can do your prep work in any weather and be ready to do the resin work when the forecast is for several nights above 50 degrees so that the skins are warm.

 

[sandpiper10471]

Polyester resin will kick much faster than will epoxy.

 

[Ross]

This is worth while reading: http://www.mdacomposites.org/mda/psgbridge_CB_Materials2_Resins.html

and This: http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/materials/differences-within-polyester-vinylester-resins-4392.html

and this: http://books.google.com/books?id=g7...d=0CBIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=aroguard 45&f=false

 

[Cool Beans]

interesting reads and thanks for the advice on staging repairs for good weather. . .with the way the weather has been, I might try and start the repairs over thanksgiving break. I tried finding a West System article on curing temps I managed to dig up on google and said the fast hardner would cure down to 35 degrees and could be post heat cured up to 2 weeks later. . .I'm going to email West System as well.

Thanks guys!

Anyone that has done winter work have any experiences to share?

 

[Ross]

Remember that west system is only one of many among equals so far as the resin is concerned. They have put together a rather comprehensive book concerning repairs.