Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => GRP & Epoxy => Topic started by: Capt Podge on August 04, 2020, 01:52:24 pm

Title: P40 filler shelf life
Post by: Capt Podge on August 04, 2020, 01:52:24 pm
I've got about half a tin of P40 left, which I bought over 4 years ago. Will it still be usable or should I ditch it and buy a fresh tin?


Regards,
Ray.
Title: Re: P40 filler shelf life
Post by: Tug Fanatic on August 04, 2020, 02:07:11 pm
I would suggest that there isn't a definitive answer to this as it will depend on a lot of factors.
Have you tried mixing a test sample, letting it go off & then trying to see how well it is attached?
Title: Re: P40 filler shelf life
Post by: Capt Podge on August 04, 2020, 02:25:13 pm
Thanks tugs, I'll give it a go this evening and report back. I'm going to be filling holes in a grp hull where the holes were drilled out of alignment and don't want the filler failing when I re-drill the hull.


Regards,
Ray.
Title: Re: P40 filler shelf life
Post by: BeeJay UK on August 04, 2020, 03:01:47 pm
I think I would laminate some mat on the inside of the hull and just fill the outside if I was doing it, but there are more than 2 ways to skin a cat.


As for the shelf life of P40, I can't help, I've never used it. However my current tin of P38 is about 6 years old and that still works fine. The hardener is newer though.
Title: Re: P40 filler shelf life
Post by: Capt Podge on August 04, 2020, 03:05:20 pm
Thanks again tugs  :-))


Regards,
Ray.
Title: Re: P40 filler shelf life
Post by: Capt Podge on August 05, 2020, 02:34:28 pm
Sorry, forgot to say thanks Beejay as well  :embarrassed: .
Also, didn't get the test piece done last night so I'll have a go tonight.


Regards,
Ray.
Title: Re: P40 filler shelf life
Post by: BeeJay UK on August 05, 2020, 02:53:34 pm
No probs, I didn't take offence. Life's too short to fret too much.

Title: Re: P40 filler shelf life
Post by: ballastanksian on August 05, 2020, 10:49:47 pm
Like with paint tins, if the lid is clean and well sealed then it should last a very good while as the styrene solvent will otherwise escape leaving an unworkable putty. The hardener does go crusty after a while making mixing more difficult, but I am not sure if unopened hardener goes off, I seemto recall having a virgin sachet that had gone off. Also, some sachets are not perfectly sealed around the neck and can go off through that.
Title: Re: P40 filler shelf life
Post by: Capt Podge on August 05, 2020, 11:02:31 pm
Hmmm, good points there Ian. I was a bit late getting back to the workshop this evening but, I DID manage to lay fibreglass on the inside of a hull which needs poor drill work filling. This will harden off overnight, then we'll see what happens ref the P40  :-))
(first time I've ever worked with fibreglass - we're never too old to learn)


Regards,
Ray.
Title: Re: P40 filler shelf life
Post by: nemesis on August 06, 2020, 07:01:10 pm
Ray, if you get stuck come over and bring the boat with you. bill
Title: Re: P40 filler shelf life
Post by: Capt Podge on August 06, 2020, 07:41:11 pm
Cheers Bill, I'll keep that in mind  :-))


Regards,
Ray.