We were wondering who saw the Resin Research Epoxy Demo at the Sacred Craft and what you thought? In case you missed it, Dave Daum (King’s Paddle Boards) hosted this demo along with Grant (Foam E-Z) while a local “pro” glasser (can’t think of his name at the momment, sorry) lammed the board. Dave and Grant went back and forth while getting input and fielding questions from the packed house.
We’d love to hear what you guys thought so feel free to chime in!
Thanks for the support-
Brad
Can you imagine that doing that demo in that room with polyesther resin?
My Wife and I checked it out. I learned alot and my wife even thinks she will help out on my next board. Especially since she hates me stinking up the place with polyesther. Epoxy is definately the way to go.
I didn’t attend SC but it sounds like a neat demo. It’s the styrene in the polyester that stinks (or so I was told). It’s also the styrene that waters your eyes and melts EPS, amongst other fun things…
Epoxy is lighter and stronger. Epoxy absorbs water molecules less than polyester. 90 to 95% less VOC’s than PE. Of course there are also many, many different types of epoxies for specific uses. The poly guys will tell you it is the hardener that is super dangerous in epoxy…yeah okay, be careful handling and mixing, but I’ve used the stuff since 1980 and I don’t mind soap and water (or vinegar in some cases) for cleaning up. Fire Dept.'s favor epoxy over PE operations too.
I used high grade surfboard epoxy on doing my pool this year so the remaining materials could go to board production. This came after getting quotes for replastering the pool where the contractors quoted $12K and only a one year warranty. Then I had a contractor insist that a fiberglass liner would be superior for only $15K. I told him that if I were to do that, I would rent my own chopper gun and do it myself versus his Mexicans. My “DIY” total = $3K including a coral reef color feature that would have cost even more for “art”.
Epoxy is a better value, hands down. Waterproof vs. water resistant. Lighter stronger and able to take more flex and bounce back…been doing it since the 80’s. I kind of put it in the “Duh” file.
D.S. - Glad to read of a “pro” who love epoxy too.
I watched most of it. I was curious to see how Ernie was going to do the laps. He used the two hands technique. One hand holds the cloth from underneath, and the other wipes resin onto the cloth. Here's my feedback. Here's my constructive criticisms. The sound was not too good, low volume. I don't think the presenters prepared or rehearsed very much. They had the mixing table set up so the presenters and board completely blocked all view of the pouring and mixing process. A good demonstration doesn't involve looking at someone's backside (now if this was the Reef girls...). I think most of the audience had never seen any type of board being glassed before and the technical level seemed a good match. The audience questions part was nice, it was cool to have the laminator actually stop everything and speak into the microphone, wouldn't happen with poly. All in all, I thought the demo was good. Next time, howzabout some shaping with a hotwire? An airbrush demo would definitely go over well too.
I wanted to see that demo but I showed up too late and the area was packed.
When I did ding repair, I always hated the way PE smells and now that I’m doing full boards I’m really dreading the glassing process (I’ve shaped three and not glassed any yet, which may sound crazy…). Anyway, what I’ve heard about epoxy makes me really interested in it. Someone told me the other day, though, that allergic reactions to it are pretty common. “You get sensitized,” he said, and I wanted to post that comment to see what the experts had to say.
Is it common to have an allergic reaction? Do people frequently become allergic after using it for awhile? Also, deadshaper, when you said it’s “dangerous,” in what way did you mean: flammable, toxic, explosive?
I just wanted to make a little addition to our earlier post. Ernie Higgins from Waterlines Unlimited was the guru who did the actual laminating of the blanks. He is a longtime shaper and glasser from the San Diego area. Sorry about missing you on the first go around Ernie!
Brad
I was there. I got alot out of the rail lapping process, having only done a dozen boards myself. A simple tip he said about lapping from the widest point thowards the nose and tail to avoid bumps I thought was very helpful. I thought Ernie and Dave were both very straightforward about answering questions and giving their opinions on industry techniques and their various applications and usefulness, (vacuum bagging etc.). I enjoyed the whole day immensely to be honest with you. I thought the crowd was alot more enjoyable to be around than the hipsters and cool kids hawking $50 dollar T-shirts at all the other trade shows I've been to. Can't wait for the next one. Isn't there one in Ventura sometime in November?