A “5 minute epoxy” is a type of epoxy that can be used to coat, seal, or bind different types of materials. Epoxies are often used for filling holes or fixing parts in projects involving metal, plastic, wood, and other surfaces. Epoxy is very strong and durable when it cures.
Before we answer the question “how long does it take 5 minute epoxy to cure?”, we have to understand what you mean by curing time.
Because many people use the words “curing time” and “drying time” interchangeably when talking about epoxies, they mean two completely different things!
How can I make my 5 minute epoxy dry faster?
That’s a tough one. First, let’s go over the only sure things you have:
- Your epoxy will never cure faster by putting it in the microwave.
- Your epoxy will never cure faster by putting it in the oven or freezer.
- Your epoxy will never cure faster by putting it in the dishwasher or toaster (although it might get stuck together).
- Your epoxy will never cure faster by using a hot hair dryer to blow on your epoxy (although you could cool it down and speed up the process).
- You can speed up your epoxy curing time with a UV light, but I’m not sure that’s going to help because, again, I don’t know what kind of UV light you’re using or how strong it is, so those measurements all apply equally to both directions: boost UV curing buoyancy with a UV light
Table of Contents
- How can I make my 5 minute epoxy dry faster?
- How long does it take for epoxy resin to fully set?
- How do you know when epoxy is fully cured?
- How long does 2 part epoxy resin take to cure?
- Will epoxy set in cold weather?
- Can I cure epoxy with a hair dryer?
- Does epoxy take 30 days to cure?
- How do you speed up epoxy cure?
How long does it take for epoxy resin to fully set?
The time it takes for epoxy resin to set depends on a few factors, including the type and brand of resin you’re using, as well as various conditions such as temperature and humidity.
Epoxy resins generally take 24-72 hours to cure fully. Some epoxies have a faster working time, while others are slower. Cold weather can slow down the curing process. You can speed up the curing by applying heat.
How do you know when epoxy is fully cured?
There is no way to know exactly when 5 minute epoxy will be fully cured. But you can approximate by using the following guidelines:
- When it turns into a hard plastic that feels firm to the touch, is no longer sticky or tacky, and does not feel rubbery or flexible.
- If you are in doubt about whether your project is dry, exercise caution and don’t use it for another 24 hours.
How long does 2 part epoxy resin take to cure?
Two part epoxy is an adhesive that is used to make a very strong bond between two different surfaces. In this guide I will answer how long it takes 5 minute epoxy to cure.
The exact time it takes for epoxy to cure depends on the brand you are using, as well as the temperature of your work area. However, all epoxies have a minimum time you should wait before putting them into use.
In general, most 2 part adhesives take 24 hours to fully cure and reach their full strength, but some brands may have a longer curing time than others.
For example, some Gorilla glue products may only need about 15 minutes after mixing for them to set (however this type of glue is not considered an epoxy).
So check the label before starting any project! It says that after setting (which happens over 5 minutes), they require full curing which can take 1-7 days depending on conditions like humidity level or if there’s moisture in the wood itself, etc…
If you try using your item sooner than this recommended period then there’s a chance it could fail prematurely due to an incomplete curing process and cause damage such as cracks forming around glued joints where they weren’t bonded properly yet.
Will epoxy set in cold weather?
Yes, epoxy will set in cold weather. However, the colder it is outside, the longer it will take for your epoxy to cure. At a minimum temperature of roughly 50 degrees Fahrenheit, you can expect the curing process to take overnight.
In temperatures below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius) your resin will take several days to fully cure. The warmer the temperature is outside the faster your resin will cure
If you don’t have a way to warm up an outdoor workspace when using epoxy make sure to factor in more time before working with the surface again and plan ahead so that you’re not in a rush during any part of this process.
Can I cure epoxy with a hair dryer?
- NO! Please don’t use a hair dryer to cure your epoxy. A hair dryer will not cure the resin properly, resulting in a sticky finish (or less than the intended strength). Don’t try it.
- You can use a heat gun set to “low” to increase the curing rate of ArtResin epoxy resin if you are in a pinch and must speed things up, but this is not ideal for several reasons:
- The manufacturers of epoxy resins can only guarantee the quality of their product when used as directed on the instructions that come with it. Using an alternate method like applying heat from a hair dryer or heat gun could cause non-uniform curing and/or de-lamination of your work later on down the road.
- Heat lamps/heat guns usually emit more blue light than an incandescent lamp, which may lead to yellowing over time. It is always best to minimize yellowing by working in low lighting conditions and covering your piece with foil after 3 days of curing (to keep out UV rays) as per our Curing & Degas Times chart above.
Does epoxy take 30 days to cure?
The curing time will depend on the product you have selected, but most epoxy adhesives that are one-part products or require mixing will take anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours to cure.
There are some special formulas that have a 30-day cure time in order for it to reach full performance and strength.
That’s right, if you are repairing something large, such as a floor or countertop, you might want to wait a full month before walking on it! For example, J-B Weld Fast Cure Epoxy can be fully cured within four hours when applied at 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, this is only 85% of its ultimate strength, and takes 30 days to reach 100% of its ultimate strength. This is an important fact because the temperature at which the epoxy cures determines what percentage of ultimate strength the adhesive reaches in a specific amount of time.
Likewise, applying fast cure epoxy at room temperature (77 degrees) allows for ~90% of its ultimate bond in 4-6 hours with 100% bond achieved after 24 hours.
How do you speed up epoxy cure?
To speed up the curing process, you can:
- Use a hair dryer or heat gun to warm the epoxy.
- Use a blow torch to warm the epoxy.
Conclusion
Now you know how long it takes 5 minute epoxy to cure. You’re ready to put your knowledge into practice, or at least talk confidently about epoxy curing with the next DIYer you cross paths with.
Finally, remember that the length of time it takes for epoxy to cure depends on the type of formula used. To speed up the curing process, use a hair dryer or other heater source; to slow it down, use ice packs or a cooler.
But no matter how long it takes for your project’s epoxy to cure, be sure that it does fully set before putting your project into use.