Life of Sterling after opening can

[saltponder]

I am just about done fairing my Panga 20 and plan on coating 2/3rd's-3/4ths of the bottom with epoxy resin/graphite. The front of the bottom below the splash rails will be painted in Sterling. I will not paint sides until the boat is finished.
My question, is should I buy for the entire job, or buy a small quantity to do what needs to be done on the bottom first, then buy the rest when it is time to do the sides and transom? Based on past history, this has not been a sprint for me and I may not get around to painting the rest of the boat until months later. I was concerned of what can happen to the paint once the can is opened and not fully used for a considerable time later.
Gil

[Fonda@kauai]

According to what Joel told me, the paint doesn't really go bad but the brushing catalyst has a short shelf life once opened. Get enough paint for the whole job, then buy however much catalyst and thinner you need to do whatever job you wanna do now. Good luck

[tech_support]

correct. Paint lasts a long time (several years at least even after open), but the catalyst may only give you 90 days after its opened. So its fine to get all the paint at once to save on the quantity price of gallons vs. quarts, but only get enough catalyst to use now.

Reducer lasts indefinitely also

[Cracker Larry]

I'm glad Gil asked this question I'm soon going to use some that almost a year old, I guess I better get some more catalyst.

[tech_support]

Larry, it (catalyst) may still be OK - just try it out on a small amount. It has a lto to do with the temp its stored and how much air get to it.

[Cracker Larry]

Thanks Joel, I'll give it a try. I stored it carefully and kept in inside all winter so it wouldn't freeze. Maybe it will be OK.

[saltponder]

Folks, thanks for the responses. Fonda, it's time to paint and build my cradle.
Gil

[Fonda@kauai]

Au'ryte What color did you go with? Post some pics when she's painted

[hooter]

correct. Paint lasts a long time (several years at least even after open), but the catalyst may only give you 90 days after its opened. So its fine to get all the paint at once to save on the quantity price of gallons vs. quarts, but only get enough catalyst to use now.

Reducer lasts indefinitely also

how does one know if catalyst bas gone bad?

do I have to ruin base and reducer to find out or is there a poor mans test?

Thanks,

hOOter

[tech_support]

thats right, catalyst has a shelf life, normally its 90 days after being opened, but it depends on the temps - last longer when its kept cool.

I have used sterling paint that was more than a year old with no problem I just found the rest of the gallon I used on the fs17 and the optimist, I may use it for the outside of the seacraft - that would be about three years old.