So I’ve got this Dennis Pang hollow carbon fiber paddleboard in for some work. Fin box, cracks here and there, reinforce the deck under the pad so knee paddlers don’t feel like they’re going to fall into the board (have some 3/8" balsa coming for that to make a sandwich there), fair bit of work.
When I’m done with everything, I’m going to have to paint it. This is not a gently-used board. It’s used by lifeguards at a surf beach, so it’s going to sit on the sand in the sun all day, get strapped to the top of a roll cage on an ATV, little kids are going to walk on it… all that stuff. In addition, it’s kind of… fragile. The skins are really thin, and it flexes a fair bit… it sort of drums. So I need a paint that’ll stick to epoxy, can stand lots of UV exposure, flexes a little, and will not flake off, ever. I have a spray gun, but I’m not very good with it. Probably, I’ll paint it on with a brush and just sand out the brush marks then polish it.
I’m betting what I need is not going to come out of a hardware store spray can. I know zip about marine paints, but I suspect that’s the direction I need to go. Any recommendations?
should be reasonably compatible. Your other option might be one of the aircraft-type paints - there’s some they use for replacing boat gel coats. For the latter, you might need to have it done by a boat place, it’s a spray and kinda tricky stuff.
Don’t you hate sanding those things, though - ya wind up sanding through the glass half the time. Thinner than tissue paper.
Put it this way, those things can’t take day in, day out use as a rescue board. I can talk to the Beach Dept head down there if you want, ask her to make sure that board is kept under wraps for the most part, 'cos it cannot take that sort of use and abuse. Unless ya want to give the thing perpetual care, like a cemetary lot.
One option is to use a polyester materials called Duratec. It is sold through Revchem, and can be pigmented to what ever color you like. As long as you prep the board by sanding first, the product should adhere just fine. If done correctly, the finish will be a high gloss that will not requre any finishing. It can be sanded and buffed if you have any areas that may sag or run.
Are you intending on painting over a glassed board, or is the carbon fiber under epoxy or a gelcoat? Generally speaking you can put polyester over epoxy, but not epoxy over polyester. There are tricks to bend these rules, but you would need to practice first.
This is just one option, as there are many others. This product just gives a nice finish when done, with no extra work. The cost per gallon for the Duratec is about $ 60, but it will go a long way. You might see if they will send a free sample.
Generally speaking you can put polyester over epoxy, but not epoxy over polyester
i havnt had any problems with epoxy over poly fixing boats
i have heard that before, but i get mixed opininions when i ask people in the boat building industry.id like to hear some real fact as to why and how but as yet nothing concrete???
