West System G/flex shelf life

[ticega306]

I have a G/flex repair kit that i plan to use to replace the pump shoe on my superjet.

Its been in my garage for almost 2 years. The hardener has some dark red deposit at the bottom of the tube. Has it gone bad? The clear resin tube looks fine though. Below are some pics, let me know if i can use this.

Thanx

aa


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[Sanoman]

You may want to email West Systems to get the correct answer.

 

[amitchell]

Warm it up in some hot water and give it a stir, it should be fine. If it freezes it forms crystals, heat dissolves them.

 

[amitchell]

from the website

COLD WEATHER STORAGE
It is best to store WEST SYSTEM materials above 35°F with the container caps screwed down tightly to avoid moisture contamination. Resin that is subject to freeze/thaw cycles may crystallize. However, the formation of crystals does not permanently harm the epoxy, and they can be removed easily. Place the open containers in a pan of hot water and stir the epoxy with a clean stick until all crystals have melted and the liquid becomes clear. Remove from the water, replace the lids tightly and invert the container to melt any crystals which may be clinging to the top of the container. If the resin in the pump has crystallized, pumping warm resin through it should dissolve the crystals.

 

[Sanoman]

Warm it up in some hot water and give it a stir, it should be fine. If it freezes it forms crystals, heat dissolves them.

Don't know if that is a good idea.Most epoxies only have a year shelf life in controlled temps.Meaning if it is extremely hot (Haiti) or cold,it would break the materials down.Not exactly what you want around a pump shoe!

What about just using a RTV silicone? Used that on old kawi's for 20 years without any issues.

 

[Sanoman]

Just seen your post from West! Still don't think its a good idea after 2 years of shelf life in hot weather........

 

[amitchell]

Ohhh never saw he was in Haiti! Probably not freezing then...

 

[ticega306]

Thanx for the input guys. Definitely not a cold weather issue haha!! But it does get hot here. Nothing that i would consider extreme though.

I sent an email to west system with a description, waiting for a response so i can send them the pics. There's nowhere to upload a pic in the email form on the website.

Any specific RTV silicone? The stuff i'll find here is just average quality. The kinda stuff you'd find at a gas station convenience store.

What about Superbond epoxy from FGCI? I have a fresh kit of that. Not sure it'll have enough flex though once it cures.


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[amitchell]

3m 5200 or Marine Sikaflex will work, you can find that at a local boating store.

 

[ticega306]

Copy pasted West System's response below.

"I have G/flex in my garage that is at least four years old and it seems to work fine for my personal projects so I think the G/flex you have in your shop will work fine for what you have in mind as well. If you are concerned, try mixing some to see if it cures well overnight. If you are interested, I can tell you how old the G/flex is if you can get back to me with the lot control numbers from the containers."

After sending the same pics i posted above.

"No need to mix the hardener before dispensing. I’ll be very surprised if it does not set up fine after an overnight cure."


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[Sanoman]

Copy pasted West System's response below.

"I have G/flex in my garage that is at least four years old and it seems to work fine for my personal projects so I think the G/flex you have in your shop will work fine for what you have in mind as well. If you are concerned, try mixing some to see if it cures well overnight. If you are interested, I can tell you how old the G/flex is if you can get back to me with the lot control numbers from the containers."

After sending the same pics i posted above.

"No need to mix the hardener before dispensing. I’ll be very surprised if it does not set up fine after an overnight cure."


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l stand corrected.l did not know that (g/flex) epoxies had that kind of shelf life.

Thanks for doing some good homework!

 

[ticega306]

UPDATE

I mixed up two test samples and let each of them cure over night. the first sample was spread thin about the size of a stick of chewing gum and for the second sample i filled a 2 liter plastic bottle cap. both samples cured properly.

i my only worry now is not having enough to install the pump shoe . how much of this stuff will i need?

 

[Balduccimoto]

I just installed a kawi pump shoe yesterday. I used around 1/8 of the bottle. I used some cabosil to thicken it up though so that helps make more volume.

I cant stand 5200 anymore, i decided recently to replace it with gflex.

Most epoxy resin manufacturers recommend a shelf life, but my local supplier told me if it sets up and cures its OK (instead of just selling me another gallon)