Back when Woodogre was building his hollow stand up paddle, sail, fish board he was saying, “roll the shiite out of it”. I’ve been using his rolling laminating method now for 3 sides and a double rail repair. Works just great for 6 oz. carbon and 4 oz. glass with RR 2000, normal temperature. Rolling fabric onto and under the rails is especially easy compared to a straight squeegie or globby brush. I’ve been using a house painting 3" roller with 1/4" nap because it’s cheap, the more expensive very short nap might be a little better?, the heavier nap leaves things a little tiny bit resin rich buts that’s ok with me, we’re filling the weave with the next step anyway. On each of the jobs I’ve had a squeegie and brush standing by for detail work but wind up using the corner of the roller only. Clean up is very easy also. Thank you Woodogre. Extra question please…Where’s the “search” feature on the forum page??
I recently tried a roller with Apex epoxy but without fabric on a non surfboard related project. I used a foam roller, 1.25 inch diameter or so. It did not self level very well curing with an orange peel finish, but I did get a nice even thickness coat laid down much better and easier than I ever did with foam brush bristle brush, or squeegee. The roller does start smoking from exotherm if the excess is not rolled out of it when it starts to gel.
I want to use the roller method when i laminate my current in construction cedar HWS with 1.5oz on the hull and 3.7oz, on the deck as in the past I have some gotten cloudy areas on the laps where the epoxy foamed from over squeeging and trying to not waste epoxy. This time I won’t stress about wasting epoxy, and the roller method will be used but i’d love more practice before committing to it.
How do you clean it? Or do you just throw it away and buy a new one next time?
Search feature is the little magnifying glass icon at top of page.
I have used foam weenie roller for glassing, just work from middle out, as with squeegee. They’re cheap, I throw out afterwards. Rail wraps are pretty easy this way.
The 3" roller covers get thrown away after rolling out any excess resin. The roller frame cleans up pretty easily with paper towels for the wet resin, swished in vinegar, wiped again, then rinsed in water. The vinegar and water cause some rust but that hasn’t been a problem. The rolling method is probably only best for laminating, I’d think there would be too much texture and bubbles to deal with for glossing.
Oh that’s right, the thing that provides results with at least 80% missing pictures. Not that I need pics for that question but…
That was addressed to original poster, who asked in the initial post.
Used to use a cotton nap 3" roller with UV Resin all the time. Flip your cloth back and roll resin around the bottom of the rail. Then flip the cloth down and wet out with the roller. Sticks good and the edge lays up nice. Drop the roller in the resin and cover with a towel until next use. Never use a foam roller. Leaves a texture, air bubbles and the black in the roller sometimes bleeds onto the lamination. Cotton fiber off a cotton roller disappears. Lowel
Okay, I apologize. And you’re right. I found the answer to my question in the archives as well.
Never had any problems with the little hot dog size foam rollers, they’re like $12 for a pack of 10 at lowes.