EPS Finishing Tricks

General Discussion
1

Hello,

 

I’m looking for advice on finishing EPS.  I’ve been spackling my blanks, but I think I could do a better job sanding.

What do you guys do to get fine finishes on EPS?  Do you have any tricks for minimizing tears?  What grit sand paper are you using to finish?  Do you finish with a power sander?

A master shaper friend of mine said he can get close to PU quality on his EPS.  

 

Oh, and just put wood veener over it, is not the advise I’m looking for…

 

Thanks,

Josh  

2

I have a pad that goes to a large floor sander,and a 150 or 220 grit screen the same size backed by the pad(they are roughly 16" in diameter).The pad  allows me to apply the required pressure to the screen and drag it across the board without gouging and finger denting the 1lb eps I use.

3

Mosaik tile. You could make it look like da sixteen chapel, den no body would know yo shitty sand jobby.

4

Dang Resinhead, what’d ya smoke this evening?

Oh, and Monkey, try spackle (the light weight stuff- “fast n final”, or, “patch n paint”).

The creeping evil…

 

5

Fine sanding the blank:

3M 120 screen glued to a foam polishing pad on a Milwaukee sander for the flats.

3M120 screen backed with a foam pad for hand sanding the rails.

Slurry:

Dap Fast N’ Final mixed with water based exterior white acrylic paint and water.

Sanding the slurry:

3M 220 screen backed with a foam pad for the flats -sanding in a circular fashion (“wax on, wax off”).

3M 150 garnet sandpaper for the rails.

Patience and a light touch (don’t scrub).

6

Well, Well, Well,

I knew you would show up.  That's why I put in the no wood veener boiler plate at the bottom of my request.

You come to my home breaks,  sit on the peak,  and rant about seals, the soulless surf industry, and the future of stand up paddle boarding.  Then you take all the set waves.  Now this?   

If I brought you a shaped blank, some probox fin boxes, and a bottle of one of California's best Cabs, would you skin one up for me?  It's the least you could do.

To all else who offered advice, thank you!  Good stuff, keep it coming... 

I'm thinking a soft pad on my disc sander, at low speed with 220grit, is the is the best way.

Thanks,

Josh