Hot coat

[Rogue Wave]

By the way good job on that board review in that magazine!!!!

Thanks Buddy, I'm glad people are noticing it (SBC Kiteboard magazine).

There are literally hundreds of different ways to finish your board, but this is how we do it:

After the hot-coats cure overnight, we block sand with 60 grit, then 120 grit, then spray the 1st coat of primer on (don't forget to mark the inserts before you spray )

You'll probably have a few pinholes to deal with, so fill them with laquer putty. Sand again with 240 grit, then re-prime it. After that, sand with 400 grit.

Then you can start the graphics and top coats.

Finishing takes almost as long as shaping and laminating -- take your time, use only high-quality paints, and you'll get professional results!

Oh yes, and whatever you do WEAR A PROPER RESPIRATOR! The paints are very toxic (isocyanates) and can kill you -- literally!

Good luck!

Lee

[buddy2227]

Thanx for the quick answer again,
Last question,
Do u know where i could get a vacump pump in Canada?

[Rogue Wave]

You're welcome!

Do a search for Gast vacuum pumps and you'll find one

Mine is more than 10 years old and has thousands of hours on it (maybe 2000 boards) -- zero problems!

Lee

[jrobson]

Oh yes, and whatever you do WEAR A PROPER RESPIRATOR! The paints are very toxic (isocyanates) and can kill you -- literally!

Good luck!

Lee

[gbgreen59]

What paints do you use that fit in the "high quality" category?

I used the Interlux top side paints over epoxy/glass with unsatisfactory results. I used their primer too. However, I did not put on a clear coat. Seems like I get a nick in the paint if I bump anything with my board.

On my next board, I am planning to put pigment in the epoxy, so that at least my base coat is durable. Plus, I am planning to put on a clear coat. Any suggestions for a more durable coating would be helpful.

Thanks ahead of time.

Gary

[Rogue Wave]

On my next board, I am planning to put pigment in the epoxy, so that at least my base coat is durable.

Don't do that -- pigment reduces the strength of the epoxy.

Use any good automotive or aircraft paint.

I use PPG now, but DuPont Imron, or others will work.

Pay the money for good stuff

[gbgreen59]

Thanks for being so helpful Mr Rogue Wave. Hopefully one last question, is a clear coat a must do step for durability?

[Rogue Wave]

You're welcome -- we're all in this together!

No, a clear is definately not required. It will add a bit of durability to whatever paint you use, but it also adds weight.

I only clear coat boards with airbrushed graphics -- many of my boards are single color and the clear is not necessary.

Lee

[sailrtnow]

I found this place called Jamestown Distributors, http://www.jamestowndistributors.com. They have vac. pumps, epoxy, paint, glass, carbon, cores, and everything else you may need. They sell this stuff called Perfection. It is a 2 part finish paint, and is kind of expensive, but it dries super hard. I have run over small rocks and the beach, and the finish is still there.