: Hello all,

: I am preparing to re-glass a kayak and would really like to use the West
: System 207 hardener. The problem is I live in the tropics and it will
: likely be 80 degrees F when I glass this thing, so I am concerned about
: the speed at which it will set up. Can anyone compare it to West System
: 206 Slow Hardener as far as speed of setting up? I don't have access to a
: shop with A/C. The one thing I like is that according to West System's
: literature the 207 is resistant to humidity which has caused me problems
: in the past. Apparently it is very good at saturating cloth so I am hoping
: this will enable me to work faster even if it kicks faster.

: Note: I live on an island and West System is all we have off-the-shelf.
: Suggestions for other brands are welcome but consider that getting it
: shipped here will be an issue for me. If I can make West 207 work I would
: rather do that.

: Thank you,

: Malcolm

Btw, if heat is really an issue, after a batch is mixed put it in a shallow pan while you use it instead of a small mixing cup. It gains heat in a small container and that contained heat will make it start to gel quicker. If you use something like a roller pan to hold the mixed epoxy it'll gain heat slower and can extend the working time considerably. Don't btw try to mix it in the shallow pan as it's nearly impossible to get a complete mix and if done this way you can get epoxy that'll never set.

Bill H.