3M 4200 fast cure tip

S

spuncopper

New member
Hey Folks:

The craftsman among you probably already know this tip, but for others it may help.

I recently did a small project that required just a dap of 3M 4200 fast cure. I purchased the smallest tube I could find. To my dismay the directions said it had to be used within 48 hours of opening as it started to cure in the tube! :sad

Remembering back to my Navy days and using a fast cure epoxy paint, we would put left over paint in the refrigerator to slow the curing process for use the next day. I tried it with the 3M 4200. A month later I was still able to use the opened tube. :D

Hope this helps someone. Safe boating everyone.
 
spuncopper":2yn9wtlx said:
Hey Folks:

The craftsman among you probably already know this tip, but for others it may help.

I recently did a small project that required just a dap of 3M 4200 fast cure. I purchased the smallest tube I could find. To my dismay the directions said it had to be used within 48 hours of opening as it started to cure in the tube! :sad

Remembering back to my Navy days and using a fast cure epoxy paint, we would put left over paint in the refrigerator to slow the curing process for use the next day. I tried it with the 3M 4200. A month later I was still able to use the opened tube. :D

Hope this helps someone. Safe boating everyone.
Click to expand...

spuncopper-

Thanks for the reminder!

Many adhesives and some other chemicals can have their storage life (shelf life) extended at lower temperatures, though it's hard to make broad, all-inclusive, generalizations.

Some emit dangerous vapors, as many of these adhesives and the like contain or emit volatile chemicals that are toxic, and should not be ingested or breathed.

Be sure to seal them completely, using plastic bags, aluminum foil, and glass jars where necessary to keep their vapors from contaminating the refrigerator or freezer (and your food!)

It's best to use a second, back up refrigerator, such as one used for beverages only, to store some of these items.

Additional storage thoughts:

Most solvents can simply be stored at cool room temperatures, the secret here being to use a vapor-proof metal can with a tight lid seal.

Generally, plastic bottles are impervious to water molecules, but allow many volatile chemicals to escape fairly freely. Glass is pretty much impervious, but is breakable, and the sealing lid becomes the weak/leak point.

Generally, the container you buy an item in has already been carefully selected to provide an adequate seal for normal storage life. However, soft metal tubes, once opened, are very difficult, sometimes impossible, to re-seal adequately.

As an additional thought, most dry cell batteries can have their shelf life extended by non-freezing refrigeration temperatures. Do not store automotive style wet cells (lead/sulfuric acid batteries) this way.

This is a very useful subject, but hard, even dangerous, to generalize about!

Good Luck!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
I squeeze out about one inch, replace the cap quickly and place in freezer or refrig then request the "OK" from teh The Admiral. Usually she tells me to date it
 
Good thing we don't keep our toothpaste in the freezer/fridge too. If we got them mixed up, we might not be able to open our mouths again... :shock:

And to beat someone to the punch, for some of us, that might not be so bad.. :mrgreen:

Charlie
 
Yep, I have posted about putting the various sealants in the "Garage" freezer--I have feel allocated one part of a shelf--and they last a very long time when frozen.
 
BrentB":v429e806 said:
Usually she tells me to date it
Click to expand...
What, like take it out to a movie or dinner? You have a very understanding wife; mine would never let me get involved with a vessel of sticky stuff.
 
Here is trick I use to extend the life of paints and varnishes that tend to skim-over.

If you happen to have a MIG or TIG welder, shoot a few seconds worth of the shielding gas into the semi-covered can, then shut the lid quickly.

It will displace the air and help storage considerably.
 
C-Dawg":227qfloa said:
BrentB":227qfloa said:
Usually she tells me to date it
Click to expand...
What, like take it out to a movie or dinner? You have a very understanding wife; mine would never let me get involved with a vessel of sticky stuff.
Click to expand...

Personal joke

We both have medical lab training (mine is microbiology, hers is hem, immunoology, blood banking) and accustomed to marking dates on items such as date received, expiration date, dates of each use, etc... I think I pass on with Sharpie marks on my hands :lol:
The Admiral worked for years in pharmo research where they developed one of a kind assays along with the reagents. Briefly if they could not buy it or didnt like commercial reagents, they made it in-house. They had 2 master glass blowers, too
One made me some U tubes over 30 years and still ready to use.
 
BrentB":5gnqz0bl said:
One made me some U tubes over 30 years and still ready to use.
Click to expand...

Wow, I'm impressed! I had absolutely no idea U tube was around before lap top computers.

(Sorry, couldn't resist.... :mrgreen: )
 
you already have a "gas" available to prevent the skimming of paint and varnish--just exhale a few big breaths into the mouth of the paint can as you slide the live on. The CO2 in the exhaled breath acts as an oxygen displacing gas and prevents skimming.
 
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