"Makes me wonder if there's a specific ambient temperature threshold where it's better to postpone welding altogether."
Honestly, ambient temp might be less critical than surface temp. I've welded TPO on hot days without issues by shading the membrane beforehand... maybe try checking surface temps directly next time?
Yeah, surface temp's probably the bigger deal here. Ever tried welding TPO when it's so hot your knees start melting into the membrane? Not fun... shading definitely helps, but sometimes it's just better to wait it out.
Haha, melting knees sound pretty extreme... ever thought about using knee pads or maybe a foam mat to keep you off the membrane? I mean, sure shading helps, but sometimes that's not enough. Also, curious—does welding at super high temps affect the bond quality or just make the job miserable? I'm thinking about tackling some TPO stuff myself soon and trying not to roast alive in the process.
"Also, curious—does welding at super high temps affect the bond quality or just make the job miserable?"
From my experience, going too hot definitely messes with bond quality. I once cranked up the heat thinking it'd speed things up—ended up warping the membrane and weakening seams. Lesson learned... Anyone else notice a sweet spot temp-wise?
I've noticed that too—there's definitely a temp sweet spot for TPO. Usually, around 900°F-1000°F works best for me, but it can vary depending on membrane thickness and even weather conditions. Higher temps might seem quicker at first, but they end up scorching the surface and causing brittleness... learned that the hard way myself. Like you said, warp city if you're not careful. Better to take your time and get a clean bond than rush it and redo later.
