What to Do If Your Epoxy Freezes or Crystallizes During Delivery.
By Roderick Kabel
As the seasons begin to change and get cooler, it’s the perfect time to tackle those big epoxy projects that you've been planning to get to all year. It’s nice to stay inside the workshop where it's warm away from the sub-zero temperatures.
However, when your portion of the country begins to feel the grip of Old Man Winter and transitions into freezing temperatures, epoxy delivery could be held up by the weather. Your order could go from a warm warehouse to sitting in a UPS truck somewhere on I-80 in Iowa.
Ideally, epoxy should be kept as far away from the cold as possible but with all of the holiday craziness, winter storms, and shipping schedules, we all can't always be home to grab our UPS deliveries. This means your epoxy order may end up sitting outside in the cold, whether we like it or not.
The issue here is when epoxy goes from warm to cold and vice versa in a relatively quick manner. Consider how your epoxy order might pass through all sorts of different climates during its trip to you.
In this situation, two things can happen. Most often we hear from customers who see white crystals or a white sludge in the epoxy jugs.
This is due to the the resin’s molecules line up into solid crystals when they get cold. When this happens, it may appear cloudy all over or you may see clumps of particles floating in the liquid epoxy resin or hardener, even after it returns to room temperature.
Or the epoxy is frozen in the jugs because it was left outside and very cold weather. Although both your resin and hardener seem unusable, it's very easy to return them to a usable liquid state.
Initially in either case, you should simply bring your epoxy inside and let it warm up to room temperature slowly. Most often as the epoxy temperature warms up, your epoxy will return to normal and it will work fine without any adverse effects. Remember, optimum working temperature is between 65 F and 75 F.
Submerge the the affected resin or hardener containers in a tub of hot water (120F) up to about mid-handle area only. (Do not fully submerge. The temperature difference from outside the bottle to internal could draw water into the container around the lid.) This hot water bath heat will cause the epoxy crystals to slowly break up and return to its clear liquid state. The amount of time depends on the amount of crystals. Now you can carry on using your epoxy for your river table project or flood coat.
NOTE: Allow the liquid epoxy A&B containers to cool back to room temperature before using. Otherwise an overly warm/hot mixture will prematurely cure and cause drastic results during the exothern.
That's it, simple as that. We hope this helps to set your mind at ease about getting your epoxy delivered in the winter months and helps you keep your project schedules on-track through the holidays and beyond.
What not to do:
We have heard that placing epoxy bottles in a black garbage bag and setting them in the sun, will thaw them. The sun heats unevenly and unreliably, so a warm water bath is the better option.
Likewise, heating the epoxy material in a microwave is not recommended because, well, it’s epoxy and microwaves should be used for heating chili dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Frozen and Crystallized Epoxy
Last updated: October 16, 2026
Why does my epoxy have white crystals or look cloudy after delivery?
The epoxy has most likely crystallized. When resin is exposed to cold, especially repeated swings between warm and cold during shipping, its molecules can line up into solid crystals. That shows up as cloudiness, white sludge, or clumps floating in the jug, and it can stay that way even after the epoxy returns to room temperature.
- Common in winter: Packages often move from warm warehouses to cold trucks and porches several times on the way.
- Not contamination: Crystals are the epoxy itself in solid form, not something added to it.
- Easy to reverse: Gentle heat dissolves the crystals and returns the epoxy to a clear liquid.
Is crystallized epoxy ruined?
No. Crystallization is a physical change, not a chemical one, so the epoxy hasn't started curing or gone bad. Once you warm it until every crystal dissolves and the liquid is clear again, it performs normally.
- Reversible: The fix is heat, not replacement.
- Check both bottles: Inspect the resin and the hardener before you mix.
- If it won't clear: Contact the manufacturer if crystals remain after proper warming.
What's the difference between frozen epoxy and crystallized epoxy?
Frozen or cold epoxy is thick, slow, or even solid because it's cold, and it returns to normal once it warms to room temperature. Crystallized epoxy has formed crystals that stay cloudy or chunky even at room temperature, and it needs extra heat from a warm water bath to dissolve them.
- Start the same way: Bring the containers inside and let them warm slowly to room temperature.
- Then check: If the epoxy is clear and pours normally, it was only cold.
- Still cloudy? Use a warm water bath to dissolve the remaining crystals.
How do I fix crystallized epoxy?
Set the closed container in a tub of hot water, about 120°F, filled to around the middle of the handle, not over the cap. The heat slowly dissolves the crystals. Keep warming until the epoxy is completely clear, then let it cool back to room temperature before using it.
- Keep the cap on: The container stays closed the whole time it's in the water.
- Refresh the water: Add hot water as the bath cools to keep the temperature steady.
- Rock gently: Tilting the jug now and then helps the warmed epoxy reach remaining crystals.
Why shouldn't I fully submerge an epoxy bottle in a water bath?
As a container warms or cools in water, the temperature difference between the inside and outside can draw water in around the lid. Water in epoxy can cause cloudiness and curing problems, so keep the water level at about mid-handle, well below the cap.
- Dry the outside: Wipe the container completely dry before opening it.
- Check the cap: Make sure the lid is tight before the jug goes in the water.
- If water got in: Contact the manufacturer before using epoxy that may be contaminated.
How long does it take to dissolve epoxy crystals?
It depends on the container size, how much of the epoxy crystallized, and the water temperature. A small bottle may clear in well under an hour, while a large jug can take several hours. Keep warming until no crystals or cloudiness remain anywhere in the container.
- Check the bottom: Crystals often settle, so look through the jug or tilt it to check.
- Every crystal counts: Leftover crystals can cause the epoxy to recrystallize later.
- Be patient: Steady, moderate heat works better than trying to speed things up.
Can I use epoxy right after warming it in a water bath?
No. Let the epoxy cool back to room temperature before you mix it. Epoxy that's still hot reacts faster once mixed, which shortens working time and can cause a deep pour to overheat during cure.
- Hot mix risk: Overly warm epoxy can cure too fast, crack, or yellow in thick pours.
- Room temperature first: Let warmed containers sit until they feel neither cold nor warm.
- Never heat mixed epoxy: Only warm the separate resin and hardener containers, never a mixed batch.
Can I use a microwave, heat gun, or the sun to thaw epoxy?
No. Microwaves heat unevenly and can create hot spots in a container that isn't microwave-safe. Heat guns and torches can scorch the plastic and overheat epoxy near the surface. Setting jugs in the sun is slow and unreliable. A warm water bath gives the steady, even heat that works best.
- Avoid direct heat: Open flames, hot plates, and space heaters pointed at containers can overheat them.
- No shortcuts: Fast heating risks damaging the container or the epoxy.
- Room-temperature first: Bringing epoxy inside overnight solves most cold-delivery problems by itself.
Can I use crystallized epoxy without fixing it?
No. Crystals don't mix evenly into the batch, which throws off the ratio of resin to hardener and can leave cloudy spots, soft areas, or an incomplete cure. Dissolve every crystal first, then measure and mix as usual.
- Ratio matters: Undissolved crystals mean less liquid resin in each measured pour.
- Cloudy results: Crystals left in the mix can show up as haze in the cured piece.
- Fix first: A warm water bath takes less time than redoing a failed pour.
Can both resin and hardener crystallize?
Yes, although resin crystallizes more often than hardener. Before you mix, check both containers for cloudiness, white sludge, or floating particles, and warm any container that shows crystals.
- Inspect both: Look through the side of each jug or pour a small amount into a clear cup.
- Treat separately: Warm each affected container in its own bath to avoid mixing them up.
- Match temperatures: Let both cool to room temperature before measuring.
Can epoxy crystallize again after I fix it?
Yes. If any crystals were left undissolved, or if the epoxy goes through more cold and warm cycles, it can crystallize again. Make sure the epoxy is completely clear after warming, and keep it in a stable, room-temperature space afterward.
- Clear means clear: Even a few remaining crystals can restart the process.
- Store indoors: Avoid unheated garages, sheds, and floors near exterior doors in winter.
- Storage details: See the WiseBond® DEEP POUR and Bar & Table Top Use and Care guides for storage guidance.
What should I do when an epoxy delivery arrives in freezing weather?
Bring the package inside right away and let the epoxy warm to room temperature slowly, ideally overnight, before opening the containers. Then check both bottles for cloudiness or crystals. Most cold deliveries return to normal on their own once they've warmed up.
- Don't open cold: Opening cold containers can let moisture condense inside.
- Give it time: Large jugs take longer to warm through than small bottles.
- Plan ahead: In winter, have deliveries arrive a few days before you plan to pour.
Is WiseBond epoxy damaged if it arrives frozen or crystallized?
No. Cold during shipping doesn't damage WiseBond® epoxy. Bring it inside, let it warm slowly, and if crystals remain at room temperature, use a 120°F warm water bath to the middle of the handle. Once it's clear and back at room temperature, it works normally.
- No replacement needed: Crystallized epoxy is fully usable once warmed and cleared.
- Shipping details: See the WiseBond FAQ for shipping information.
- Keep the containers closed: Leave the caps on until the epoxy is warm and clear.
How do I get WiseBond epoxy ready to pour after a cold delivery?
Warm WiseBond® epoxy until it's clear, then let it settle into its working temperature range of 70°F to 85°F before you mix. Make sure the project piece and the shop are in range too, so the epoxy doesn't cool quickly once poured.
- Step 1: Bring the containers inside and let them reach room temperature.
- Step 2: Use a warm water bath only if crystals remain, then cool back to room temperature.
- Step 3: Follow the DEEP POUR 2:1 or Bar & Table Top 1:1 instructions for mixing and pouring.
What if my WiseBond epoxy crystals won't dissolve?
Contact WiseBond® if the epoxy stays cloudy or crystals remain after several hours of proper warming. Send photos of each container and the batch numbers from the labels. Keep the remaining product until the team has reviewed it.
- Include photos: Show the containers, the crystals, and a sample poured into a clear cup.
- Note what you tried: Water temperature, time in the bath, and how the epoxy was stored.
- Get in touch: Call 866-427-2547, email info@wisebond.com, or use live chat on WiseBond.com.
Happy to learn this because this happened to me today. Amazon delivery in -24 degree’s when I was away from home