SANDED -vs- GLOSS part 2 ....STRENGTH

OK speed was just covered, how about strength? Seems to me that a sanded finished is more prone to cracking. THOUGHTS…

OK speed was just covered, how about strength? Seems to me that a sanded > finished is more prone to cracking. THOUGHTS… …If we are talking polyester resin here then,SOME will say a gloss&polished board is stronger,because there’s MORE!Plus the surface is seared…all polyester resin boards breath,and take on moisture,(even a glossed&polished board)this is a good thing it keeps the board from pre-mature delams,and exploding(like a hollow wave). …A sanded finish if done correctly (with a sealer of sometype)is just as strong if not stronger, because you’re NOT heated-up the surface of the board with a high-speed polisher.Plus I get a chrisper shape.As far as weight goes there’s not enough wt. difference to even discuss it.Herb

Isn’t it true that with poly resin, there is no real added strength to adding resin? The strength is in properly saturating the cloth and ensuring a tight, even lam? With epoxy resin I can see the added advantage of extra resin. That stuff is way stronger than poly resin. Again I think if you are talking about gloss vs. polish it really comes down to asthetics (as long as your foudations are sound ie.-shape, rocker,foil, good lamination, etc.). Although gloss is pretty, my vote is for sanded finish because I can get the board done quicker and get it in the water, and ding repair is easier (you don’t have to worry about messing up your finish and/or trying to match your gloss coat).

Polyester and Epoxy resins are both thermo-reactive resins. During the cureing process microscopic bubbles that form create porous passages within each layer of the laminent. The putting a gloss coat on and gloss buffing with wax will produce a sealing layer. Albeit won’t be watertight. Acrylic or urethane sealers will preform the same function. But, the reality is that most boards spend more time drying out in the racks of your garage than soaking up water in the lineup. Most performance shortboards have a life span of less than a year. The spring memory breaks down farely rapidly. Weight savings and responsive flex characteristics are a much higher priority than longevity. So, it comes down to where you as a board buyer must decide what is most important to you. Glossed and polished boards will stay pretty for a longer period of time. Minimalist lamination schedules will get you light, flexy boards that were never intended to last forever.

Polyester and Epoxy resins are both thermo-reactive resins. During the > cureing process microscopic bubbles that form create porous passages > within each layer of the laminent. The putting a gloss coat on and gloss > buffing with wax will produce a sealing layer. Albeit won’t be watertight. > Acrylic or urethane sealers will preform the same function.>>> But, the reality is that most boards spend more time drying out in the > racks of your garage than soaking up water in the lineup. Most performance > shortboards have a life span of less than a year. The spring memory breaks > down farely rapidly. Weight savings and responsive flex characteristics > are a much higher priority than longevity. I have my boards glossed but not polished, just wet sanded. I too believe the heat from the buffer during polishing weakens the lam. > So, it comes down to where you as a board buyer must decide what is most > important to you. Glossed and polished boards will stay pretty for a > longer period of time. Minimalist lamination schedules will get you light, > flexy boards that were never intended to last forever.

…A sanded finish if done correctly (with a sealer of sometype)is > just as strong if not stronger, because you’re NOT heated-up the surface > of the board with a high-speed polisher.Plus I get a chrisper shape.As far > as weight goes there’s not enough wt. difference to even discuss it.Herb It has been my , limited ,exposure to a glassing factory, that , by adding the gloss/pollishing to a longboard, can add as much as two pounds to a board. I have experienced the benefits of both the “sand only” lightness, and the extra weight characteristics of a gloss & polish. My preference, to date is the sanded gloss.