NAPCO’s Headquarters in Skokie, IL just had their first significant snowfall of about six inches this past Sunday, December 4th and according to the 2017 Farmers’ Almanac, this year’s winter forecast for the Midwest is going to be ice cold and frigid.freezing temps

The Almanac also predicts a colder-than-normal winter for two-thirds of the country including: the Northern Plains, Great Lakes, Midwest, Ohio Valley, Middle Atlantic, Northeast, and New England states.

The first snow of the season has come and it won’t be the last. With the expectation of freezing temperatures in the not-so-distant future, this is the perfect opportunity to discuss how to care for your refinishing equipment during these cold months.

Refinishing products and equipment – Winter safety tips

It’s important to take care of your refinishing products and equipment as the temperatures fall. Here are some tips to ensure safety from the cold:

  • Water based products will freeze they expand which could break glass containers and warp other materials. Leave some space in glass bottles to allow for expansion.
  • Keep materials in garages, basements, cellars, or crawl spaces to prevent freezing temperatures.
  • All liquid refinishing supplies should be stored in a room that will remain above freezing.

The cold can also affect the performance of certain products. For example, resins react badly in cold temperatures. Ideally, the temperature of the room, and the resins themselves, should be anywhere between 68 and 72 degrees F.

When the resins are too cold the necessary chemical reaction between the resin and the catalyst will not occur properly. In order for this reaction to take place and have optimum results, the resin should be about 70 degrees as stated above.  If the resin is too cold, there won’t be enough heat to help get the reaction started.  As a result, the resin will not mix properly and may cure with cloudy streaks, or not cure at all.

NAPCO's Fast Thinner is ideal for use during the colder months of the year or in cooler climates. Like NAPCO’s All Purpose Thinner, it is a blend of extra pure thinners, contains no water and is used to thin all Poly-Glass topcoats and Epoxy Primers. It is formulated to help provide maximum gloss and dry quickly in cold conditions.

With the right preparation, and proper care for your refinishing supplies, you’ll be able to take on the cold!

NAPCO’s team is always here to help! Call us at 800-888-1081 or visit napcoltd.com