> I searched the archives and found conflicting info on the use of a
> kerosene heater in a shop while epoxying. Garage is at 56 now and the cure
> rate is way too slow for me...56 hours and not sticky but still not hard
> enough to pass the fingernail test! I have a good kerosene heater and
> would like to heat the garage but have heard that the water vapor and
> other kerosene combustion by products may effect the finish of the epoxy
> as it cures. I would like to stick with the hardner I am using now
> (regular not cool cure).

> Has anyone used a kerosene heater while epoxying with MAS epoxy and had
> good luck? I also have a barbeque grill (propane) that would heat the
> garage but am unsure about the combustion by products from that as well.

> In either case, I will probably need to get fresh air into the garage to
> ensure I do not have any physical side effects (low oxygen).

I am building me first kayak - a CLC Chesapeake 18 with MAS epoxy - and have been using a kerosene heater in my garage with very good results. I plastic tented one end of my insulated garage creating a 12 by 24 by 9 foot work area and can raise the outdoor temp by 40 degrees with a 23,000 BTU unit. I did a lot of research to get the correct size unit because they do not have much adjustment in output. I have been very strict on following the manufacturers recommendations to "dry burn" the wick periodically to avoid carbon build-up which is the source of dirty residue. I do crack a window in the workspace as a source of ventilation air. I have been surprised about the cure rates - I generally heat the work space at night after I get home from work, apply an epoxy coat and keep the heater on for an hour or two more before I shut it off -three or four hours total heating with outdoor temps in the 20's - and have gotten very nice cure rates - no tack but not quite hard the next evening. My heater is a Dyna-Glo purchased at Lowes for $140. Good luck!