I’m about to install my first set of future fins and the installation videos disappeared off their site. I’ve watched a bunch of install videos on utube and I’m not sure about the sanding/taping sequence. Should I grind the tape off the boxes after the lam while I’m sanding the laps, then re-tape and hot coat. Or lam and hot coat then grind down to open the boxes? I guess the easiest way to ask it is do you tape the boxes once or twice? I’ve seen both on u-tube but not sure which is best. I’m leaning towards taping twice, seems like it would be a better finish. Maybe it doesn’t matter which way, but thanks for any responses.
J3, try searching for posts by BB30, lots of Futures installs and tips and pics.
Tape once.
Hot Coat top, laps, and boxes.
Sand laps, grind tabs on boxes.
Yes you tape them twice.
But end result is very flat but nearly a glossed finish.
Makes for perfect sand job.
Tape 2x
Before lam
Before hotcoat
And use a sanding block to get that perfectly flat area around the fins. The production guys can do it with a hard pad. I have to do it with a block.
All the best
Hi J3-
Check out our videos section http://www.foamez.com/videos.html We have plenty of “how to” videos including the Future ones.
Best of luck.
Brad
I just routered the board and set the boxes today. The routering went fairly smoothly. setting/resining the boxes was a bit harder than I expected but overall a pretty easy experience. I wasn’t sure how much resin to use. 1st one not enough, 2nd way too much. I’m going to glass it tomorrow and I’m hoping for more success. I plan on cutting the glass to get the air bubbles out. We’ll see how it goes. Thanks everyone for all the help along the way.
J3 you will do fine. Just use a new single edge razor blade and cut the cloth at the base of the fin slot (the part that will be sanded off) on both sides. Maybe on the ends if you are feeling brave. Then chase out the bubble with the flat edge of the blade until they all exit via the cuts you just made. Use the blade like a squeegee. If you screw it up, you can always slit your wrists with the now contaminated blade. Simple. Hoping that will not be needed. Pls report back with your progress.
all the best.
I laminated the board/boxes today. Overall I’m pretty happy with how it came out, especially for my first one with boxes. I cut the glass and pushed out the air bubbles and that worked well. but somehow after I put it in the sun i found one good size bubble to the rear of the left fin. Oh well, I think it will work out all right. If I have time tomorrow I will hot coat it and then sand next week.
