Crash course in epoxy..

[GHA]

Poor aries windvane paddle is showing its' age a bit..

So best way to give it some TLC for a few more miles? Just slop some epoxy on? Or thin coat first then some thickened and sand ...

Or...?


Over to you guys

Ta.

 

[Bobc]

Flatten it back with some coarse sandpaper, then give it a coat of white flowcoat.

Fill any big dings with an epoxy or grp filler (P40, P38, or the other Plastic Padding ones).

 

[GHA]

Ta.

Flowcoat? Hmm, might srtuggle getting that at the local Portuguese hardware shop, got some epoxy, & micro balloon things..

 

[AngusMcDoon]

To save lots of sanding, when you've applied whatever goop you are using lay on a sheet of aluminum foil, normal kitchen stuff. Unwrap it from the roll far enough and carefully enough so that you get a virgin smooth bit. After laying it on the goop press it in and flatten it with a straight edge spatula, scraper or something similar. It will peel off easily once the goop has hardened.

 

[TQA]

What ever you use make sure it is not P38 or anything similar which is hydroscopic. You will soon get big blisters.

Sand well then apply epoxy and microballons to fill any dents. Sand smooth and paint NB epoxy goes yellow with UV.

The WestSystem website has a wealth of how-to info on this sort of stuff.

 

[Bobc]

Ta.

Flowcoat? Hmm, might srtuggle getting that at the local Portuguese hardware shop, got some epoxy, & micro balloon things..

Ok, what you do then is mix up some epoxy (about 1/2 inch in the bottom of the mixing pot), then add microbaloons whilst stiring until it is the consistancy of nutella (we used to nickname it chocolate spread). Then scrape that into all the scratches and dings. You want it really thick though, so it doesn't dropp or run off the stirer.

Once it has set (give it a day), it's really easy to sand back. Repeat as necessary until it's filled and fair, and then paint.

 

[Quandary]

What ever you use make sure it is not P38 or anything similar which is hydroscopic. You will soon get big blisters..

Are you sure, or have you just read it somewhere?

 

[PaulRainbow]

Are you sure, or have you just read it somewhere?

You can only use it on cars that don't go out in the rain.









Not !!

 

[PaulRainbow]

Ta.

Flowcoat? Hmm, might srtuggle getting that at the local Portuguese hardware shop, got some epoxy, & micro balloon things..

Flowcoat would make a permanent and maintenance free job of it. I would not even fill it first, sand with course paper and paint a thick coat of flowcoat on it. When cured, de-wax and sand. Repeat as required, finally sand with progressively finer wet and dry, compound and polish. Will look better than a new one and last well too.

 

[GHA]

Flowcoat would make a permanent and maintenance free job of it. I would not even fill it first, sand with course paper and paint a thick coat of flowcoat on it. When cured, de-wax and sand. Repeat as required, finally sand with progressively finer wet and dry, compound and polish. Will look better than a new one and last well too.

Maybe a bit involved for something which will live covered in antifoul?

 

[DHV90]

Not really, but that said its just using flowcoat ( thicker polyester resin ) as a filling medium. Doesn't matter, really, whether you use flowcoat or epoxy, the process and outcome is similar. I would use your epoxy and microbaloons. Nothing wrong there at all

 

[GHA]

To save lots of sanding, when you've applied whatever goop you are using lay on a sheet of aluminum foil, normal kitchen stuff. Unwrap it from the roll far enough and carefully enough so that you get a virgin smooth bit. After laying it on the goop press it in and flatten it with a straight edge spatula, scraper or something similar. It will peel off easily once the goop has hardened.

Ta, so reckon that will peel off OK with west thickened with microballoons?

Could get a new hat with the spare tinfoil..

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Not tried it with microbaloons but it peels off epoxy with high density filler. Foil is better than clingfilm as some people suggest because foil wrinkles less. No good on compound curves though.

 

[TQA]

Are you sure, or have you just read it somewhere?

I am sure.

P 40 is ok underwater but not P38.

 

[GHA]

Not tried it with microbaloons but it peels off epoxy with high density filler. Foil is better than clingfilm as some people suggest because foil wrinkles less. No good on compound curves though.

Ta, did some this afternoon so still a bit sticky. Looks good so far though, thanks for the tip

 

[oldsaltoz]

Micro balloons and epoxy resin will be just fine, however, don't forget that nothing will stick to epoxy other than more epoxy. More important if it's going under water. So don't sand it too smooth so the top coat will have something to bond to. There are paints available for coating epoxy. If the local paint shop doesn't have one you could mix more epoxy resin and add a very fine filler of any color you like.
Good luck and fair winds.

 

[Bobc]

however, don't forget that nothing will stick to epoxy other than more epoxy.

Other than maybe regular boat enamel primer, which sticks fine (and then topcoat it). Or antifouling primer, and then antifoul it.

 

[MM5AHO]

Hydroscopic or hygroscopic?
More useful that it doesn't absorb water (hygroscopic) that being able to see underwater (hydroscopic).