"I'd say anything consistently over 900°F is probably pushing your luck with TPO"
Honestly, I've seen guys weld TPO at around 950°F without issues—it's all about how fast you're moving. Temp alone doesn't tell the whole story; technique and pace matter just as much, if not more.
Yeah, I've definitely seen guys go hotter than 900°F without problems, but honestly, once you start pushing past that mark things get dicey fast. Had a guy on my crew who thought faster meant hotter—ended up scorching seams left and right...technique matters, sure, but there's a limit.
Yeah, totally agree with you there. I've seen plenty of roofs where someone thought cranking up the heat would speed things along...ended up looking like burnt toast instead of a clean seam. Honestly, technique and patience beat raw heat every time. Plus, once you scorch TPO, you're basically inviting leaks down the road—trust me, I've inspected enough crispy seams to know!
"Honestly, technique and patience beat raw heat every time."
Couldn't agree more—seen way too many seams ruined by impatience rather than lack of skill. It's tempting to crank it up when you're pressed for time, especially after storm damage when everyone's rushing repairs. But like you said, scorched TPO is basically a ticking leak-bomb waiting to happen.
One thing I've noticed though: ambient temperature and wind conditions can really mess with your welding temps. On colder days or windy rooftops, I've had to bump the heat slightly higher than usual just to maintain a consistent seam. Curious if anyone else adjusts their approach based on weather conditions...or do you stick strictly to manufacturer guidelines no matter what?
As someone pretty new to all this, it's reassuring to hear that patience and technique matter more than just blasting heat. I've been trying to patch up a small section of TPO on my garage roof, and honestly, the temptation to crank up the heat gun was real—especially when it felt like nothing was happening at lower temps. Glad I resisted after reading this.
But now I'm wondering...does the thickness of the TPO membrane itself affect how hot you should go? Or is it mostly about weather conditions and technique? Also, when you say "scorched," is there an easy way to tell visually if you've gone too far, or is it more subtle than that? Sorry if these are basic questions, just trying to wrap my head around it all before I mess something up.
