Hi, I need to spackle my EPS blank before laminating. I’m having a hard time finding a spackle that is white and lightweight. None of the spackles from the search in the archive is available in any nearby hardware shops. All the lightweight spackels I’ve found are anything but white. Could I go with a heavier whiteish spackle? I feel like a 0.75 litre tube of spackle weight the same as the finnished blank at this point. An alternative might be a plaster based spackle, the kind you have to mix from a powder. Good thing about them is they dry quick and through, even in thick layers compared to regular spackle. Anyone tried this? regards, Håvard
Hi Harvard, I m using the water base plaster spackle cos the lightweight spackle cant be found here. Its a 1.5KG can size and doesnt need to mix. I just put thin layer on EPS blank, it fills up small hole then creat a harder surface. The problem is u paint on the surface after spackling and sanding, you may find the thick pasted area absorb more paint than foam surface, it creats two color~~~~!!! you have to put one-two more paint layers on it. I dont put color directly on the blank, cos 1) the color differ that needs one-two more paint on, too bad it addes much to the weight, possible creating 1-1.5 lb. 2) I use epoxy resin, I m worry that a large area expose to the sunlight will turn the epoxy yellowish that gives harm to the structure, solution : try the anti-UV epoxy, but cant to get one in here~~!.. 3) Regardless how hard you have tried to spackle and sand, you can’t fill up all the holes. That’s the problem of EPS foam blank~~!! Regards, Crabie http://www.mouldmaking.freeserve.co.uk/basics.html
Nope, haven’t tried the heavy spackle. But I don’t know why it wouldn’t work. I’ve read other people’s brands of lightweight spackle here at Swaylock’s. I’ve used only “Patch-N-Paint” lightweight spackle with good results, but only after some hard lessons. I’ve found that age discolors spackle. Your supplier must sell spackle on a regular basis, and you must use it soon after opening the plastic pail. Water discolors spackle. Mix spackle only with distilled water. Tools and containers discolor spackle. Use only CLEAN plastic tools and containers. Spackle with a fresh brush. Clean your spackle brush thoroughly with detergent and water before each use. Dust from the air discolors spackle. Keep your containers closed when not in use. It’s amazing how little dust it takes to spread throughout a container of spackle and discolor a beautiful board. You can’t even detect the discoloration until the spackle dries against clean foam. Could your problems be coming from any of the above sources? If heavy spackle is all you can get in white, I would go for it. However, Crabie has a good point about paint absorption rates between spackle and foam. The difference is wide enough when using lightweight spackle. I’m sure the difference would be greater with heavy spackle. Also, heavy spackle would make for a slightly heavier surfboard. You might try ordering lightweight spackle, maybe from a web supplier. I’d do a google search… maybe surfsource.net. -Noodle
Could your problems be coming from any of the above sources? I havn’t spackled the board yet, only had a look at the color information on the containers(and opened a few of them to check). Most lightweight spackles I’ve found have the same color as the microbaloons I have, a concrete like grey. Oh yeah, and the spackles I’ve used for home improvement have all been whiteish. That is one tone of beige or yellow or another.>>> If heavy > spackle is all you can get in white, I would go for it. However, Crabie > has a good point about paint absorption rates between spackle and foam. > The difference is wide enough when using lightweight spackle. I’m sure the > difference would be greater with heavy spackle. I won’t be painting the foam. I plan to do a tint/opaque/stripes thing. Scary tho, I really hope I don’t mess up all my work with the color and glass and make the board look like s**t. Should still surf tho.>>> Also, heavy spackle would make for a slightly heavier surfboard. You might > try ordering lightweight spackle, maybe from a web supplier. I’d do a > google search… maybe surfsource.net. Don’t have time for it. I don’t really want to rush, but I’d like to start with the laminating in the first couple of days. regards, Håvard
Good luck! -Noodle
Good luck! Thanks! Bdw. the plaster didn’t really work out, so I’m on a new round through paintshops and hardware shops. regards, Håvard