Carboline

Carboguard 635

Epoxy lining for potable water · US · manufacturer-sourced

Check your container: This countdown is for the Epoxy lining for potable water variant. Similar-looking versions may have different times.

How long before you can recoat Carboline Carboguard 635?

Short answer

Ready for another coat: 45 minutes after application.
Safe to touch: 30 minutes after application.
Industrial protective coatings

Film-build schedule

Recoat has a floor and a ceiling, and film thickness moves both

  1. Prepare the surface and apply the Epoxy lining for potable water to the stated thickness
  2. Recoat inside the window the data sheet gives
  3. Return to service only at the stated cure

This product’s stated stages Quoted at 75°F

  • Safe to touch30 minutes
  • Ready for another coat45 minutes
  • Working time ends3 hours
  • Safe to handle3 hours
  • Curing period7 days
  • Recoat window closes180 days

Worth noticing: Recoat inside the window: not before 45 minutes and not after 180 days.

Common mistake: Recoating after the maximum window has closed; the next coat may not bond without abrading.

Industrial protective coatings

Coat timeline

Plan the next coat and final use separately

  1. 1
    ApplyUse the Epoxy lining for potable water directions and prepare for potable water tanks, tank linings, and steel.
  2. 2
    Next coatUse the listed recoat milestone; do not substitute touch-dry time.
  3. 3
    Normal useWait for the applicable handling, water or cure milestone.

Check the recoat window

When did this coat go on?
Conditions that affect drying
Where?
Thickness

Stated times

  • Working time ends3 hours
  • Safe to touch30 minutes
  • Safe to handle3 hours
  • Recoat window closes180 days
  • Ready for another coat45 minutes
  • Curing period complete7 days

From Carboline data sheet · checked 2026-10-25. Anything not listed isn’t stated by the manufacturer.

Manufacturer website: carboline.com

Conditions & fine print
  • Stated conditions: 75°F (24°C)
  • Industrial coatings dry and cure more slowly in cold, damp or thick-film conditions. Follow the current product data sheet.
  • Region US. Formulas can differ between countries; check your container.
  • Working time ends: At 24°C.
  • Safe to touch: At 75°F and 100 to 150 micron dry film.
  • Safe to handle: At 75°F and 100 to 150 micron dry film.
  • Recoat window closes: The source gives no conditions for this time.
  • Ready for another coat: At 75°F and 100 to 150 micron dry film.
  • Curing period complete: At 23°C.
  • Entered from the cited manufacturer documentation. Check the current label for the exact formula and region. Report outdated information
  • Actual results depend on preparation, thickness, ventilation, temperature, humidity, mixing and substrate.

Confirm this is your product

Closely named formulas, colors and regional versions can use different times. Match these details to your container before starting a countdown.

Exact listing
Carboline Carboguard 635
Variant
Epoxy lining for potable water
Region
US
Listed use
potable water tanks, tank linings, steel
Timed stages recorded
tooling, touch, handle, recoat max, recoat min
Source checked
2026-10-25

Documentation: Technical data sheet · PDS January 2020

Condition attached to the stated time: At 24°C.

About this product

An epoxy tank lining that can be used for drinking water, with a sheet that has one wait that matters above all others: 7 days of cure after the final coat before potable water goes in. A topcoat can follow as soon as 45 minutes at 75°F.

Using this specific product

Carboline Carboguard 635 is listed here as the Epoxy lining for potable water version for potable water tanks, tank linings, and steel. For coating steel or industrial surfaces, the useful question is not simply whether the surface looks finished—it is whether the exact next-action milestone shown above has been reached.

Before you start

  • Confirm the package says Epoxy lining for potable water; related versions can use different timing.
  • For potable water tanks, tank linings, and steel, pay particular attention to surface preparation, film thickness, temperature, dew point and pot life.
  • At 24°C. At 75°F and 100 to 150 micron dry film. The source gives no conditions for this time. At 23°C.

How to check readiness

Check dry film thickness and the recoat window before the next coat. The data sheet gives a pot life of 3 hours at 24°C. Touch only a hidden edge first; a dry surface can conceal a soft layer underneath. Lift or move the item gently and avoid twisting the bond or pressing finished faces together.

Avoid this mistake

Recoat windows can close; past the maximum, abrading is usually required.

Compare with similar products

Keep going

Questions

How long before you can recoat this product?

Carboline states: The data sheet gives a pot life of 3 hours at 24°C. Conditions: At 24°C.. The data sheet lists touch as 30 minutes at 75°F. Conditions: At 75°F and 100 to 150 micron dry film.. The data sheet lists handle as 3 hours at 75°F. Conditions: At 75°F and 100 to 150 micron dry film.. The data sheet lists a maximum recoat of 180 days. Conditions: The source gives no conditions for this time.. The data sheet lists minimum recoat as 45 minutes at 75°F. Conditions: At 75°F and 100 to 150 micron dry film.. The data sheet gives 7 days of cure after the final coat before potable water use. Conditions: At 23°C.. These are the manufacturer’s stated times, not a guarantee.

How long must Carboguard 635 cure before holding drinking water?

The sheet says 7 days of cure after the final coat at 23°C for potable water use. Its recoat table is separate: 45 minutes minimum at 75°F and 180 days maximum.

How long do I have to work with this product?

Carboline states: The data sheet gives a pot life of 3 hours at 24°C. Conditions: At 24°C.. These are the manufacturer’s stated times, not a guarantee.

How long until this product is safe to touch?

Carboline states: The data sheet lists touch as 30 minutes at 75°F. Conditions: At 75°F and 100 to 150 micron dry film.. These are the manufacturer’s stated times, not a guarantee.

How long until this product is safe to handle?

Carboline states: The data sheet lists handle as 3 hours at 75°F. Conditions: At 75°F and 100 to 150 micron dry film.. These are the manufacturer’s stated times, not a guarantee.

What affects how long this product takes to dry or cure?

Industrial coatings dry and cure more slowly in cold, damp or thick-film conditions. Follow the current product data sheet. Follow the product label for your conditions.

Similar products

All industrial protective coatings