VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

Hi
Any recommendations on what products/brands that work good for sealing up cracks on boards. And where its sold around vic.

thanks.

Marine Tex!

Pick it up at Industrial Plastics and Paint. Use a knife to get rid of all the loose material and bevel out the edges, you can add in a layer of glass weave if you like, just apply it on thick, and fair it down smooth and flush. Paint if you like, or rock out a cool board scar.

you will sometimes get moisture weeping around the edges of a marine-tex patch so i would recommend painting on some primer at least, if you are not going full bore with the resin and glass. epoxy UV cure w/chopped glass matt is another option for a simple ding, get it at any surf shop.

west systems epoxy filler mix works great for anything boat related but needs that UV protection to last... don t do it twice when you can t do it right

The problem with using real epoxy (and any sort of filler and/or mat/weave/stand) is that it's a mess, plain and simple. Plus it's expensive. If you go this route I'd go to IPP and pick up their Cold Cure epoxy, it comes in smaller bottles, but it is still a nightmare to deal with, you'll want gloves, drop mats, mixing tubs, stir sticks and the whole works, plus a garage to do it in.. not just the kitchen table. Even though it is going to do a better repair, you have to wonder if the hassle is really worth it compared to marine tex which is essentially just a user-friendly epoxy putty you can slap on real haphazardly.

Thanks for the advice guys,

I think I will try the marine tex stuff and see how it goes. It sounds simple. In the past I have used a couple types of exopy/ uv cure exopy in my dad's shop and it is messy! Needless to say, I am no longer allowed to work on boards in there. And my patch jobs are crap. Hopefully this will do the trick

nanmoo wrote:The problem with using real epoxy (and any sort of filler and/or mat/weave/stand) is that it's a mess, plain and simple. Plus it's expensive. .

you are doing it wrong. a tube of solarez epoxy w/ chopped glass matt costs about $6. no stir sticks, no mixing. dab it on neatly then tape some plastic over top then place it outside to set up. smooth and clear patch. No white blobs of chewing gum on your board.

You could also stop slamming into rocks, that works too.

Easy, cheap, durable, and despite Downwind Dave's concern re leaks, if you sand the scar edge for a good bond (320 grit), wipe with alcohol (to clean/dry) and marine Tex it, you are good to go. I learned a good trick from a Kus post a few yrs ago: put a piece of Saran wrap over the goo, and then you can smooth it down nicely as well as pack the ding. Let it harden with Saran in place. If you guess the right amount, you may not even need to sand, and in one instance, even got a gloss finish that matched the board. Good luck. I agree with Moo, avoid the rocks!

Anything major or critical I would use epoxy, although Marine tex is super for white boards. The more repair work I do it the easier it gets, though still a pain. Plastic gloves and those small measuring cups you get from Industrial Plastics are essential. Tip from Gwind is use chop sticks for mixing and application. I use masking tape for rail damage. Works the same as siran wrap as in WSF post. Apply it over wet repair job and then Peel it off when glass is set. Gives a nice smooth contoured finish with less sanding. If you are not running into things you are probably not learning! Just keep the water out and don't use ding stick except for very temporary repair.

Tuct tape (that red stuff people put on their tailights) is an easier, perhaps more elegant solution to saran wrap and masking tape, and also covers a larger area. Plus, you can just leave it on when you are done for nice red accents!

nanmoo wrote:Tuct tape, perhaps more elegant solution to saran wrap and masking tape, and also covers a larger area. Plus, you can just leave it on when you are done for nice red accents!

yeah, no worries trying to leave it one cuz it won't come off....at least all the red backing crap won't clear packing tape for smaller repairs. Tuck tape is a solution for sail repairs mid window but be prepared to donate any surface it is applied onto and some sail makers won't fix an area covered with it but will cut it all out. And it does not stick to canvass (sail sleeve or batten pocket), just makes a mess.

Avoid ding stick, it's useless and provides you with the illusion that you have sealed the hole.... I carry 5min. epoxy and cold cure for when I have some time, together with a ziplock of microballoons (may be problematic at the border ) and woven fiberglass mesh. Keep 3-4 clear mixing measuring tubs (2-3 ounce) handy.
I have not had the mess or sticky fingers problem, maybe it's practice yes, chopsticks and toothpicks for the little stuff.