Miilliput help needed, please

[David Womby]

I have a very poor track record with Milliput but foolishly tried it again yesterday.  It's 18 hours on and still not hardened.    I suspect if it's not hardened now, it never will.    

 

It does, however, seem to sand and feather passably.  Can I  leave it, unhardened, and paint over it in due course or should I remove it and start again (with another filler!!!!).

 

Advice appreciated.

 

David
 

[Black Knight]

Give it a few more hours in a very warm place. If after that you can dig a finger nail into it, it ain't going to harden at all. Remove completely and start again

[colin]

Mixing is the main problem with and epoxy putty, equal amounts roll it into a sausage shape, fold over and repeat repeat repeat repeat and so on 😉 😁

[spruecutter96]

The usual reason that Milliput doesn't harden is that the two parts haven't been completely mixed together (or, less likely, that it's too old). When mixing, roll the two parts together until they're the same colour. Then, break the lump apart and check that the same is true internally. If there is even 1% of a different colour, keep mixing / kneading for another minute or so.    

 

You'll know when the components are too old - one (or both) parts become noticeably hard and refuses to mix properly with the other part. Adding a little water can help, but it's not an absolute fix. Some folks gently warm it in a microwave for 20 seconds on the lowest power-setting - again helpful, but not a 100% solution. I've even heard of folks submerging one part in very hot water for 1 minute - not tried this one myself, but they claim it makes mixing a lot easier.

 

The hardening due to age occurs even with unopened, never-taken-from-the-packet Milliput. I reckon it takes about 2-3 years to get to this stage.

 

Hope this helps. 

 

Chris.   

[David Womby]

Thanks, guys.  I have put it in the Florida sun as a last ditch attempt to get it to harden but expect to be digging it out and replacing it tonight!

David

 

[Mike]

Here's a tip.  Get yourself one of those little "herb scales" off eBay.  They're great for measuring the two components together equally, and on that note, always over-mix, as the smaller the ball, the larger the discrepancy if you make an error.  The comments about putting them in a warm area to cure is also very valid.  If you're like me and like it cool, it could be very slow to cure.

 

I'd suggest a pack of the white Fine version next time you're buying, as not only is it finer than the beige version, but it's also white, so will hide better under paint.

[David Womby]

An afternoon in the Florida sun seems to have helped firm it up.  Not rock hard but worth giving it more time.

 

David