Surfboard probationary period ???

Dear Shaper ,

Wondering what is the probationary period / probation time for a surfboard after 100% complete ?

Was told by a Australian shaper that after a board been complete dry , sand & polish . U can’t surf it on the same day when board 100% complete . Have to wait for 5 days later than u can surf it . Is that true ? Why ?

Pardon me if i’m asking stupid question but really need to know the answer .

Regards .

I know a board is not fully cured for a few days after being finished. So my answer would be curing…I know (well only by feel…) my epoxy boards seem harder after a few days…and I wait a few days after a repair before surfing a fixed board. But the difference is minimal I am sure…peace and waves…

MEKP catalysed resin may seem to fully cure in a day or two. the actual chemical reaction takes much longer to reach 100% cured state and thus maximum srtrength. Usuually at least a week.

UV resin however cures more or less directly after you pop it in the sun. Only bad thing is is that you shouldn’t really use it for hotcoating and never use it to gloss.

Not sure about epoxy. Don’t use it.

Drew

Quote:

UV resin however cures more or less directly after you pop it in the sun. Only bad thing is is that you shouldn’t really use it for hotcoating and never use it to gloss.

I use UV resin for laminating as well as for hotcoating (added with waxed styren - styrène parafiné in french).

I’ve only glassed 3 boards so far so, I may not know everything.

Why should UV resin not be used for hotcoating ?

If there is a good resaon why, I’ll go and find usual resin. Hotcoating is a fast process, even for a beginner like me, I guess I could change my “habits”.

my buddy uses uv for every step of the glassing process including gloss (heats it up so it sheets out like gloss resin should) and his finished boards look insane and last so i don’t know why someone would say you “souldn’t use it” perhapse if you are using the sun for your uv source and don’t live in the tropics or something like that you might have some type of problems. my friend built a uv “oven” in his shop so maybe that is why he gets great results. i live in hawaii and use it for every step of ding repair, including gloss, and have never had a problem…

in response to “how long you should wait” i would say as long as possible for regular cure resin. have you ever tried so sand a board that has sat around for a few weeks after hotcoat? it is soooo much harder. Also try smelling em. a newly finished board will stink for a while. the smell is due to off gassing and is a sign that it is still cureing… if you live someplace cold keep the board indoors so it stays warm, heat helps…

I don’t know if this is right or not, but it is what I do. As soon as I get a new board I take it to the sea. I get is wet all over making sure it soaks up the cold water. I then surf the board making sure that I do not spend a lot of time on the board. I then let the board set for a while, I have many boards so I just surf another board. I believe that this lets the glass pull down on the foam and makes for a tight bound. Once this is over I surf the hell out of the board.

it’s not that you shouldn’t use it. It is just a lot harder to control the many variables when using UV to kick your hotcoats. It’ a matter of knowing reliabley that your hotcoat will ,kick in 20 minutes in this tmeperature, or that you have to add this much more catalyst in this temperature.

There are two many variables when using UV hotcaot. Humidity, temperatire, wind…all of which can add up to a less than stellar hotcoat. BUt that said, if you feel you got the system down then stick with it.

Drew

Hey Lob, I’m from Spain where do you buy UV cure resin here in Europe? Does Seabase sell UV resin?

Thanks!

Hi,

go too surfoam in hossegor france. It is near seabase. He has uv resin.

greetings geert, gunar

www.surfoam.com

Thanks Geert!, are you from Europe too?

Good waves!

I use uv for hotcoats. This is what I picked up from kokua and some others. Put a bit of catalyst in your uv resin, anyway. Mix well. Hotcoat your board and let it sit several minutes to let the wax rise. Expose it to uv for 20 seconds or so. Bring it out of the uv for a couple of minutes. Place it back in the uv and let it kick. The 20 second flash is important if your board is a dark color. It can get a bit hot. Mike

hi coque,

I am from Belgium. I am leeving tomorrow for the Biaritz surf festival; Spain an maybe portugal. Mabe we can meet. I use uv resin from vosschemie Germany. It dont work with catylist.

greetings

Geert, it would be good to share some waves.

I’m from Galicia (northwest of Spain), i’m from july 14 to july 18 in Amado (south of Portugal), judgin an ASP event, an then i’ll be on Galicia from july 20 to july 25 judgin the Nautic Interceltic Games.

Do you know where and when are you coming to Spain or Portugal?

email me if you want at coquearaujo@hotmail.com

Howzit drew, the main reason I don’t go UV for hot coats is you have to add twice as much SA to make sure the wax rises and this thins the resin to much. I kick hot coats with catalyst, wait 10 minutes and stick it in the sun to make it like a rock. Aloha, Kokua

I use UV for all steps and forget about moving the board in and out of the sun. If you can use UV lights or If your cheap like me use a long mirror and reflect the sun onto the board, you can control the exposure time by hitting it with short bursts of sunlight. It works great Especally on hot coats and gloss if you move the board during glossing you’ll get ripples in it. I also have windows on each side of my glass room with sunblock shades. Depending on the time of day just pop the shape open. Even if it’s cloudy it Works like a charm. Note:keep everything covered or you’ll kick off the whole batch. Haven’t had a single problem since I stumbled upon the done with mirrors technique>>>>

Howzit ncgyver, Been using UV resin for at least 4 years, have light system and am just passing on the way I do hotcoats. Aloha, Kokua

Kokua,

I’m with ya, I’m just spreading a tip or 2 that seems to work well. No disrespect meant>>

Kokua,

Apologies for referencing your name with incorrect information. I can’t keep track of all the hints and sources of info I have recieved here and others. mike