Have you ever had epoxy crystallize?

Eric Patterson

Moderator
Staff member
Over the winter one of my epoxy pump reservoirs turned into a block of grainy crystallized epoxy. Normally the remedy is putting the epoxy container in a double pot boiler and warming it up until it liquifies. Since my resin is stored in a pump reservoir unit, instead of a jug, I couldn't drop it in a double pot. Instead, I took the reservoir lid off and warmed the chunk with a heat gun while prying at it with a wood paint stirrer. It didn't take long before the heat started melting the block. About a half hour of constant heat and stirring restored the epoxy to a new like state. Thought I'd pass this on because I know over the years folks have asked about what to do with crystallized resin. The simple solution is heat and stir.
 
I had that issue this winter when my shop was cold - the resin partially solidified. Like you said, I just put in hot water. West Epoxy does have a section describing construction of a heated cabinet for storing epoxy -- I don't have the reference at hand, but I did see it recently when I was researching how to clean up uncured epoxy.
 
Scott

My pumps have heaters attached that when you plug in are supposed to warm and thin cold epoxy. They are meant for winter use. I turned them on and they barely melted any of the epoxy block. I also moved the pump into the heated shop and that did nothing. Once the epoxy crystallizes it takes a lot of heat to reverse it. A heated cabinet would probably prevent it from happening. Although, I've heard it can even happen in warm temperatures if the epoxy is old enough. Once re-melted it is like new again even if it is old epoxy.
 
Good to know... I just purchased another gallon of resin. I was stingy that last couple of times and bought quarts thinking I only needed a bit more. My estimates were not good. I may have some in storage for a while.

Thanks
Scott
 
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