November 14, 2008

Surfboard Glassing Guide



Here is a surfboard glassing guide/schedule that I put together. I wanted a chart that would help me figure out the amount of catalyst to put into the resin - based off of the outside temperature and fall within the time frame I wanted before it kicks. It's kind of been a guess work for me, so I am hoping this will help out.

This guide is broken down in three sections - Lamination, Hotcoat and Gloss. The measurements are in CCs instead of drops or percentage. Also included is the amount of Surfacing Agent (Wax) to put when making the hotcoat. I modified the amount of MEKP CCs per ounce of resin to fit with the kick times I wanted. So adjust the amount of catalyst to get different kick times.

Anyway, if you guys use this guide, let me know if you how it works out for you. I haven't tested all measurements yet, so make sure you do a test batch. Depending on many factors like weather and the amount of pigment you put into the resin, the outcome will definitely vary. So... do this is at your own risk.

If you can, post your experience, comments or suggestions to make this better. Hopefully it will help out other fellow DIY surfboard builders.

Click Here to Download the Glassing Guide

6 comments :

Almond Surfboards & Designs said...

that's thorough... what do you do for a living? that's really impressive.

surflab said...

Hi ,thanks for this Shelude,
Can you give me the difference between the hotcoat and the gloss resin?
Thanks

BoardSide said...

Hey Roberto,

The difference between the hotcoat and gloss resin is the gloss resin is a thinned down version of the hotcoat. It's thinner so more catalyst is needed to kick. Although you can get a gloss look with a hotcoat when polishing, the gloss resin really makes it shine.

BoardSide said...

Also, if you are doing a hotcoat and then a gloss, you will need to sand down the hotcoat to before you do the gloss. The gloss won't stick because of the wax in the hotcoat.

surflab said...

Thank's a lot...
it will help my next gloss step...

Sean Pee said...

The chart works extremely well. I have been using it for about a year now and I'm 25 boards deep. Good shizz, don't think I could build boards without it! Especially being in NE FL with varying temperatures. Thank you for compiling this information and for sharing it!

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