Somewhere last week ,I believe it was Quincy, who mentioned he had seen some puzzling vent holes on epoxy boards. Today I looked at some production epoxy boards shaped by Midget Smith who works out of Basham’s. The blanks and glass work I believe are from Epoxy Pro -Oceanside, Ca., a surfski mfr. These were labeled as extruded EPS foam (logo XTR). The deck had a V-shaped area of small holes punched through the cloth to the foam. I believe the kid in the shop told me that a spiked roller was used to make this V -shaped series of holes inboard from the rails 6-8", spaced about 2" apart and covering a 2 foot length of the center deck area. There was a prominant label and lots of small labels on the board with some vague information about the XTR foam and vent holes which were “chemically sealed” against leakage. I understand the principle of venting the board with XPS, but if these are truly vents then how is water not going to pass through as well? Thanks for any input on this one. Tom S.
I have one of these boards also. Its a Dick Brewer plumeria . Done in XTR xtruded blank with epoxy pro glassing it . It was explained to me that the xtruded foam is so water resistant that they can put these “vents” in it . To stop the expansion/delam problems … Mine has never given me a problem I havent used it much as it is a shape best used in really good waves . (I live in S. FLA) but have used it some …10 times with no problems . I have not really pushed the heat expansion delam problem with it though and do wonder how good it works… I am thinking about a new epoxy board and its up in the air between these and the new EDRO foam … Any input on this would be appreciated… THANKS
Yup, that is what I was referring to. The board I saw also had the XTR logo on it. I am pretty sure these boards wont soak up a significant amount of water trough these small holes and hopefully they will help delam but this may be wishfull thinking.
By the way, here is a weblink I found: http://www.pacificfleet.net/Photogallary/xtr.htm
Thanks for the link thinking about an epoxy board and am starting to think these are the way to go … Aslong as the vent system works… The wave ski in the photo is 6 inches thisk if the vents work on that they shound work on a surfboard…
Yes, XTR blanks are closed cell foam and glassed with epoxy resin. After they glass the board, tiny “thermal vents” are added to the glass by a patented process. This venting allows any gas, which could cause a delam, to escape. Since the foam is closed cell, and because the resin bonds the glass to the foam, there isn’t going to be any water absorption through the holes. Delams can occur with both regular poly boards and extruded boards so I’m not saying that it can’t happen. I’ve seen one very unique test board at Epoxy Pro where delams occurred, but other than that I haven’t heard of any problems. In fact I have a few extruded foam boards by XTR for a couple of years now and I haven’t had a single problem. Recently I was out and got a bit too greedy - I rode a wave into the hollow and rocky shore break where my board and I took a pounding. I was slightly dazed and my board suffered a smashed rail and a chunk was taken out under the nose – both dings exposed the foam to the water. I paddled back out, kinda sideways, and surfed the rest of the afternoon and didn’t worry because I know the foam wouldn’t take on any water. That was about six months ago and I’ve only put a sticker on the bottom ding and very lightly repaired the rail ding. All resins and foams out there have their pluses and minuses both in and out of the water. Try what you want, find what you like and use it. I work for a surfboard manufacturer who uses many different materials, including XTR foam in performance boards. He, as well as I, have been very pleased with its performance and soundness. We like to try new things and we want to give the customer what they want. By giving them this as option we open the door. Javier Huarcaya-Pro’ who owns Epoxy Pro is a well respected surfer, shaper and designer from Peru. He would be everyone’s best source for any questions you have regarding venting, tensile strength, polypropylene, shaping or glassing. 760-722-8161
Surfore: Very good information, thanks. Sounds like there are some options with XPS as well. Tom S.
Hey, thanks for the info. Do you know what is done to prevent UV yellowing effect on epoxy? It does not look like there is paint on the wave board on that site and the XTR board I saw had no paint/gelcoat. Also, are XTR blanks available for the home shaper? Quinn
Javier should be the one to answer your questions but I can tell you they shape a bit different and for the best results you should use a planer with barrel sander (in place of your blades). I’m not sure how you’d get the venting done if you didn’t have him glass the board so again I’ll have to defer to Javier. Also he says sprays, tints and fabric panels are done but to avoid dark colors.
HI THIS IS JAVIER THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL THE ACURATE INFO I SEE ON THIS MESSAGE BOARDS,I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTION REGARDING XTR. ALSO I WANT TO APOLOGIZE FOR NOT HAVING OUR WEB PAGE UP AND RUNNING, WE WANT TO INCLUDE VERY IMPORTANT ASPECTS LIKE DING REPAIRS, BLANKS, SHAPIG, SHAPPERS, ETC.RIGHT NOW WE ARE BUSY GLASSING BOARDS FOR MANY PROS AND I WANT TO GLASS SOME OF THOSE MYSELF. EVEN THAT WE HAVE 3 EPOXY LAMINATORS SOMETIMES IS NICE TO GET ALL DIRTY WITH RESIN.
Javier- do you know where I can get a grit drum for my skil 100, I have been getting some requests lately fo epoxy, also do you have a glassing price sheet you could email me. I’m in the process of relocating from O.B. to up by you and will be looking for a contract glasser up there? thanks- Shawn email- www.newfysurf@hotmail.com
Yes tou can give a call to Fiberglass hawaii in Santa Cruz they have drums for all planers last time I talk with them.However this new blanks can be shaped with blades if they are not to old. Glassing prices can be faxes if you can please give me your fax number.
There was one question about epoxy yellowing above. Our materials don’t have an issue with this. All boards do yellow at their respective rates. Our epoxies start out clearer than polyester and yellow at a slower rate than they do.
Greg. Good to see you are still up and kickin. Still using RR epoxy you gave me back in the early 80s. Great stuff brother. I heard rumors there was an additive that can inhibit yellowing in those other epoxies. Wishful thinking?