Halehlujah, Homeblown are going to provide a BioBlank for review.
Also looking at an epoxy resin, that is also bio - based on plant oil.
Just a bit concerned about cloth. Looking at doing it with hemp cloth (finally) and I know its been done before, I’m told I will need 50% more resin.
looking at doing it by vaccum bag - so any pointers re the hemp is apprieciated
sj–check out my thread on natural fiber compsand…
I’ve gotten pretty close to 1 to 1 resin cloth ratio (I think) with my hemp in the vacuum bag. Without the bag I can see how alot more resin would be necessary.
Very true. Hemp fabric soaks up epoxy like a sponge. That is one of the key properties of hemp is its absorbency – this is why it is often used in reusable child’s diapers etc. because it takes a lot to saturate it.
The fibers seem to swell up when wetted out … the vacuum bag/breather fabric setup (use perforated peel ply and don’t use a hardener that will set too quickly) will compress the fibers, make it stronger and soak up some of that excess resin.
You will still use more resin, but it won’t end up in the finished product.
If you’re not totally stuck on 100% hemp, you might consider a very thin glass fabric on top, but I’ve done it without and it will turn out fine. Especially with the vacuum bag.
Without the bag, you’ll have a heavy, bumpy board that will need much sanding.
Try Natural Bamboo Fabric.
Waaay easier to work with than hemp. We are averaging approximately 3.1 oz. of epoxy (Resin Research 2020) per board foot per layer of bamboo fabric - hand layup style. Vacuum bagging will probably use less resin.
Wets out transparent with very slight natural tan tint if you look close.
Check out the pic of a 9-0 performance longboard I just finished and surfed this past weekend. My best work yet!
You can get bamboo laminating fabric at
Thanks all - will be looking at all options