Epoxy

This article covers Advance Coatings Epoxy Resin, and its properties, pitfalls, and use cases. The base resin is a clear liquid, but can be purchased in colours, or colour-matched.

We currently sell a few different epoxy products, therefore this will be a general page for our epoxy products. While most of this will pertain to all epoxy products, the amounts of Resin to Hardener (whether 5 parts to 1 or 3 parts to 1) may differ.

Common Applications for Epoxy include Coating on top of concrete, plastic, and metal.

Contact us at <info> <at> advancecoatings.com for an SDS sheet.

Safety

Epoxy (part A) is not flammable by itself, however it is a fire hazard, when mixed with Part B in a large mass (such as in a bucket, or drum) and let to sit. The Hardeners (part B) are also corrosive, and skin contact should be avoided. If skin contact is made, use Acetone or a solvent to clean within a short period.

Use Epoxy in a well ventilated area. Some form of breathing protection is recommended. A fan is also a good idea, to keep vapors moving away from you.

Respirator

A recommended Respirator would be the Moldex 7000 Series Reusable Half Mask Respirator link: https://www.moldex.com/product/7000-series-half-mask-respirator/ Note that we sell smaller disposable dust masks, not these.

You should purchase a filter for organic vapors such as the Moldex #7300 Organic Vapor/Acid Gas Cartridges For 7000/7800/9000 Series Respirators link: https://www.moldex.com/product/7000-7800-9000-series-respirator-organic-vapor-acid-gas-cartridge/

You don't have to go with Moldex. There are similar products from 3M. Likely any well known name brand will offer adequate protection. I would recommend buying from official distributors for a product like this. It is not worth cutting corners for a proper respirator.

Epoxy and Hardener will smoke/heat up if a moderate to large amount is left in a mixing container

Our Epoxy has a strong exothermic reaction. If you leave it in a container after mixing with the hardener, within 10 minutes or so it will start to react - smoking and heating up. This means that epoxy should be applied within a reasonable time (0-5 minutes) of mixing. The larger the batch of epoxy, the more dangerous. You can demonstrate this danger on your own, by mixing a 1/2 cup of epoxy with hardener in a small paper cup. Within a few minutes the cup will be hot to the touch, and may smoke. Use caution when testing. It's important to understand this danger, but test in a non-hazardous environment.

Small amounts of reacting epoxy can be mixed with water to suppress the reaction.

Note that once it is applied in a thin layer, such as on a floor, there is no fire hazard. It only reacts when it is in a large mass. Generally, you should cure excess epoxy outside after a job.

Pitfalls & Tips

Heating up the Part A Epoxy Before Use is Beneficial

The epoxy works best when heated before mixing. For example, if you have a 5 gallon pail of epoxy, a 5 gallon pail heater can be put on the outside for beforehand. The goal is to have the epoxy be liquid, as if like a bottle of water. If you shake the resin, and it is not all fluid, heating it up, may help.