I have noticed that my epoxy quad fish has a salty residue around the perimeter of a few of the FCS plugs. I can’t really see what is going on, but I am going to assume that the plug is slightly leaking.
How do I fix this? Can I just put a layer of epoxy resin over the plugs, or do I need to add glass? I did a search and someone mentioned using super glue?
Thanks!
Can you see the H-pattern tell-tales on the deck-side? Or does the board have high
density inserts for the fin plugs to sit in? All fin systems, and particularly FCS, require
special attention when installing into EPS( I’m assuning that’s your core material, correct
me if I’m wrong). The quick fix is to seal it, and super glue sounds viable to me. But you
may have a bigger problem if the installation was not done correctly. Thermal issues in
EPS have caused plugs to come loose. When done correctly, FCS works great in EPS,
but it’s not as simple as a poly install.
Mike
Thanks for your help, I can’t see anything because It looks like the board was painted after it was glassed. I bought the board and knew it was epoxy (assumed it was a surftech style since it was painted after the glass job, but when I actually started looking closer at the board, I can see a slight indentation where the stringer is, so I know it isn’t done like a surftech. I assume it is an extruded EPS blank then painted).
I try and wiggle the fin to see if there is ANY play and I really can’t see any. I think I just might need to seal it and go from there. I need to buy some epoxy resin anyway, for another project, so maybe I should use that instead of superglue? Just a thin layer to seal?
Seal it and go from there is the correct approach. I’m not quite sure what type
of construction you’ve got, but polystyrene foam is either expanded or extruded,
it can’t be both. You’d have to open the board up to tell, and it’s way too early
for that. I like the idea of using superglue, though, it’s low viscousity would allow
it to penetrate a pinhole better than straight epoxy. Maybe superglue, then a
little epx over?
Mike
I am pretty sure it is extruded with paint over the top of the glass.
Superglue idea sounds good, but I don’t even really see a visible gap (it HAS to be super super tiny) so I am not sure even the superglue would seap in?? Superglue wont damage anything?
Seal it and go from there is the correct approach. I’m not quite sure what type
of construction you’ve got, but polystyrene foam is either expanded or extruded,
it can’t be both. You’d have to open the board up to tell, and it’s way too early
for that. I like the idea of using superglue, though, it’s low viscousity would allow
it to penetrate a pinhole better than straight epoxy. Maybe superglue, then a
little epx over?
Mike
Hobby stores (r/c ect) sell low viscosity super glue I think it is called Zap although there are other brands of CA glue. You might want to make sure that the glue doesn’t melt eps or xps.
Good question about the superglue’s compatibility with the core. If I had any
laying around I’d do a quick test. You can do that easily on any scrap piece
of eps (like the ubiquitous box inserts everything is shipped in). Expanded or
extruded will react the same.
You’re probably not going to use enough to damage the core either way, but
it pays to be safe.
Mike
I have noticed that my epoxy quad fish has a salty residue around the perimeter of a few of the FCS plugs. I can’t really see what is going on, but I am going to assume that the plug is slightly leaking.
How do I fix this? Can I just put a layer of epoxy resin over the plugs, or do I need to add glass? I did a search and someone mentioned using super glue?
Thanks!
Are you seeing the salt on the edge of the plugs or the edge of the install (between the resin and plug or between resin and foam)? If the salt is between the plug and the resin, then you really don’t have a problem. It’s pretty common as the resin doesn’t always bond with the plug real well. The contours on the plug will keep it in place. However, for peace of mind, you can do the above mentioned fixes, just be sure and scuff the surface pretty well if you use epoxy.
Quote:I have noticed that my epoxy quad fish has a salty residue around the perimeter of a few of the FCS plugs. I can’t really see what is going on, but I am going to assume that the plug is slightly leaking.
How do I fix this? Can I just put a layer of epoxy resin over the plugs, or do I need to add glass? I did a search and someone mentioned using super glue?
Thanks!
Are you seeing the salt on the edge of the plugs or the edge of the install (between the resin and plug or between resin and foam)? If the salt is between the plug and the resin, then you really don’t have a problem. It’s pretty common as the resin doesn’t always bond with the plug real well. The contours on the plug will keep it in place. However, for peace of mind, you can do the above mentioned fixes, just be sure and scuff the surface pretty well if you use epoxy.
I am getting the salt between the plug and the resin, At first I thought it was just a bit of build up since there might be a slight transition and there seems to be salt around the fins, etc…Perhaps it really isn’t “leaking” and I am just noticing the salt because there is NO white on the board to blend it in (ie-if you had a clear board it would blend in more than a solid blue board?)? Perhaps I will just try the superglue method for peace of mind then go from there.
Howzit rodH, since the salt residue is between the plug and the resin then it won’t affect the foam. If it still bothers you then flush the area with fresh water and then use a hair dryer to heat the area some what. This will cause the water to rise to the surface and you can repeat the process till no more water comes up. Then seal the area to make it waterproof.Aloha,Kokua