Epoxy top layer

General Discussion
1

Hi

I’m just getting into the world of epoxy and the most ready available epoxy to me is west systems and I’m just wondering if this is a good make for boards?

I was in a boat shop and the guy was clueless, but eager to offload 6kg/211oz of epoxy, how far would this go?

Also I was talking to him about a top coat of some sort and he said “just use a boat varnish” I’m not toooo sure he knows what he’s talking about, so I turn to the oracles on Swaylocks!?

thanks

2

The shop guy sugests a boat varnish for the top layer and it’s ok to finish you board. If you have a painting cabin the results is better, but I think that you need to know what a kind of resin you must use after the lamination. We use a low viscosity resin with a pot life near 60 minutes. This coat is not so easy to sand but it is possible. See anothers subjects already published at the forum that will help you in your learn.

good luck

3

Sent samples to two outfits in Europe for possible distribution. That was months ago. Unfortunately it seems the established surfboard material distributors are still not taking epoxy seriously. The product is here. When will these guys get the message? BOAT RESINS DON"T WORK ON SURFBOARDS!

4

Don’t use West stuff, it is quite brittle and yellows pretty quickly, I have used System Three’s SB 112 for a few boards and it works really well. Just keep the board warm while it is curing.

cheers

5

Thanks for this info. My problem is that I live in a small country (Denmark) where;

  1. There are about 100 surfers in total.

  2. There are no professional surfboard shapers.

  3. The only materials that are available are from boat shops, and they pretty much all carry West Systems.

The guy, in the shop, told me about a UV hardner to mix with the resin to stop the yellowing, sadly that does not help if it is very brittle.

I’m defenetly off the boat-varnish idea but it sounded fishey to begin with.

Thanks for your help

6

the varnish should be fine .im going to use it on my next epoxy board

applied by a foam brush…a 2pac polyureathane varnish

what greg meant was boat building epoxys arent suitable for board building

still i think west system would be okay specially with a uv resistant varnish over the top

a 6kg pack should be enough for 5 short boards.

Greg , im using a laminating epoxy used in composites for race boats and its in a different league to west system however. it is made by the same nz manufacturer.i would love to use some of yours.,Additive F sounds unreal

would like to hear some more information on good/bad experiences using west system

i have used it for repairing my yacht and have found it a pretty good resin.i would imagine using the slow hardener would be the go if u used west.

Do they have a better hardener avalable for west systems??