.... making multi pigmented fin panels ....

fins · February 3, 2015, 4:46am

oh ben ,

what are we going to do with you ?!

I think it might be time you returned to hawaii , eh ?

CassS · February 3, 2015, 8:17am

Forgive my ignorance, but how do you avoid the layers separating when adding a hotcoat between them? I thought there would be all sorts of adhesion problems trying to lam extra layers over a hotcoat that hasn’t been sanded back…

Zourite · February 3, 2015, 8:29am

Re,

If I remember well, Barry explained that you have no pb if you w8 the resin to be sticky but not dry before starting the next layers:

Between each color layer, Hot Coat. As soon as it kicks, lay up next color. This gives the color change a sharp crisp transition. Don't wait too long before applying next color or it wont stick.

You need to be carrefull but it seems to be worth when I see their colored fins !

fins · February 3, 2015, 11:32pm

Some say " let it kick , and sand it ".

Some say " laminate while it’s still tacky ".

I will try both techniques and let you know , Cass .

The trouble is , I guess it will sacrifice a fin if it DOES delam , so …

… hence the small panels to start with !

fins · February 3, 2015, 11:44pm

Today , I’m hoping to template , cut out , and foil the panel from a few days ago , depending on the neighbours going out …

zackoopman · February 4, 2015, 10:12pm

Hey ben id probably go barrys route as Id assume you would get a stronger bond between layers gelling all together at once rather than sanding layers in between.

Wooddave · February 5, 2015, 2:29pm

Hi Ben,

I know this all basic information for many of the crew here at Sways but I think it’s worth clarifying here again…

By laminating a new layer while the resin is still tacky (not fully cured) it creates a chemical bond (primary) with the new layer, it essentially melts the top of and melds with the previous layer, this is preferrable…

if the first layer is already cured it won’t react to the new resin and so you have to rely on a mechanical bond (secondary).

some resins have a longer primary bond time than others… I once worked with a vinyl esther resin for a composite mine sweeper ship that had a 60 day primary bond time, but that is very unusual…

Surfboard resins are designed to fully cure pretty fast… You might be able to find out how much time you have by looking up the specs for your particular resin.

Laminating while it is still tacky is a safe bet for sure.(And really who am I that I could argue with the knowledge and experience of Mr. Snyder)…but you might be able to laminate even if it feels cured depending on the resin used…