I started this project, but the resin melted my blank (in places) when I glassed it. I shaped another version and sealed it with clear resin and one layer of glass brfore adding color.
And now my thread (“Prone Board Project”) has disappeared. Am I losing my mind? I can’t find it anywhere. Will it magically reappear? June is mens mental health month. Is someone messing with me?
So here I go again. A prone board inspired by surf mats.
EPS from a big block that was given to me years ago by a fellow swaylockian. This was the first version.
Not sure why the resin melted the foam. The foam is suspect as the composition and original source is iunknown. I think it came from a freeway construction project. But the pigment / tint seems to have created a reaction.
So I cut another chunk & proceeded to shape version 2
One layer of glass & ready for some color. There were several little de-lam bubbles & pockets but nothing like the melted foam fiasco.
I could not find the previous thread either.
Good on you for sticking with it and doing it over, both the board and thread.
I have noticed that sometimes older epoxy and epoxy with added color or fillers kicks a little faster than it would when new or when plain. Working when it is cooler and getting the epoxy mixed quickly and spread out as soon as possible should help. Altering the resin to hardener ratio of an epoxy mixture will result in some of the chemicals not being reacted and ‘plasticizing’ (softening) the cured product.
The worst areas were areas where the surface was a little rougher and the resin got down into the foam between the little balls of EPS. And there was an orange colored film on the melted areas.
Board 2 was glassed in a heat wave so that may have been a factor in the little bubble delams I experienced. With board two I also mixed less hardener, sometimes way less, because otherwise it was kicking off way too fast.
In one case some areas were still tacky the next day. I thinned some hardener with vinegar and brushed it on the tacky areas and set it in the hot sun. It hardened a bit more, and I wetsanded and put a thin coat of clear over everything, and all good.
Its my fault for choosing to work in this extreme heat, but - the show must go on!
The bumper / grab rail hasn’t been done yet, that’ll be a completely different color. But I’ve gotten a second layer of glass top and bottom. Kept with the “army surplus” theme, the camo theme helps hide little flaws, and there’s a ton. But thankfully its not the kind of board that any of that really matters. I’ll finish with a mat finish (pun intended), no gloss.
Hi Huck i don’t understand well, you change resin/hardener ratio ? If so it’s a big error. Except very specific resin, epoxy mix must be accurate. It’s not a diluated premix resin in wich you add a catalyst for initiate reaction at lower temp like pe resin. With epoxy you directly do the resin/hardener stochiometric mix, reticulate reaction start immediately at low temp, no need catalyst. Resin physical properties lost increase quickly with inaccuracies of mix. Must stay in 1% error by weight and thorougly mix both composant. Too much hardener give a softer, tackier resin that yellow faster. With slightly less hardener, mix can set right but give a brittle resin.
Well I kinda knew this comment was coming cuz I get it every time I mention using less hardener. I have even discussed it with Greg Loehr whose product I am using (Resin Research).
I am not going to argue. I just report what I did, and have been doing for 15 years: when using the prescribed ratio in hot weather that yields a working time that is too short, I reduce the hardener.
Greg admitted to me that it can be done, but says ideally it would be better to keep to the prescribed ratio and work in a controlled temperature environment. It would also be ideal to have a healthy savings account and a six figure income, but I just find ways to get by using what I have.
I apologize to anyone who is upset by my comments. If my board self destructs I will report it. So far most of my boards are still with me and going strong, they have outlasted my hip cartilage, which apparently was made with the wrong ratio of something!
Alternative:
In hot weather, chill epoxy resin and hardener before mixing.
Stoneburner thsts an excellent suggestion that I often overlook. Also a small tub of ice water to set the cup of resin in as you’re working - I usually think of this in the middle of an exotherm crisis.
You can use slow hardener. There is one from resin research. By using less hardener you lost some elongation to break ended with polyester resin impact strengh. With enough skin not a big problem but more weight. For your hip it’s may be a problem of passing time, i’m afraid there is no magic solution.
Yes good suggestion I will get me some of that for weather like this. Resin Research is designed to be more forgiving than other epoxies in mixing ratios, at least according to the company founder. And I suspect it is true.
Ah yes, the hip. My boards have outlasted my hip, I fear I may need to part with them.
Current weight is just under 7 lbs. I am considering one more layer of 4 oz. cloth. It feels super light, but I think its a good weight for what it is, finishing up and adding fins will be a little more weight also.
