Epoxy and sand for fairing.

[GILow]

Not sure I know “that danish guy”. I’ll see if I can find him. Gut feel says it would be a bit soft but I’ll check it out.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by GILow

Not sure I know “that danish guy”. I’ll see if I can find him. Gut feel says it would be a bit soft but I’ll check it out.

Hard as glass :-)

Here it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RFzH_NB148

[jimbunyard]

I use sand, or mortar mix, with epoxy to set studs in brick walls. God help you if you have to remove or grind it...

[GILow]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Hard as glass :-)



Here it is:

Very interesting stuff. I’ll find out more. Thanks for the tip.

[Painless]

If you do use sand, make sure it’s “playground sand”. The other construction sand has lots of fine dirt in it. Playground sand is pretty clean.
Home Depot and others sell it.

[tdgaffney]

Years ago my 28 footer (with an internal pour of lead bricks) had an irregular and aft sloping surface. I waited for a good dry out and at the end of August poured in cement. Trowled it smooth and left a pit at the aft end for the bilge pump. After the cement set, I covered the surfaces with resin and mat. Worked great.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Painless

If you do use sand, make sure it’s “playground sand”. The other construction sand has lots of fine dirt in it. Playground sand is pretty clean.
Home Depot and others sell it.

Bit far for me to get to a Home Depot... but I get the idea.

Originally Posted by tdgaffney

Years ago my 28 footer (with an internal pour of lead bricks) had an irregular and aft sloping surface. I waited for a good dry out and at the end of August poured in cement. Trowled it smooth and left a pit at the aft end for the bilge pump. After the cement set, I covered the surfaces with resin and mat. Worked great.

Yes, that's a workable solution when there is a decent volume, but in my case it would create an extremely thin layer of concrete which wouldn't have any structural integrity. Thankfully I don't need TOO much fairing.

[ausaviator]

I wouldn’t waste time with sand or powders. Powder sets too hard and is difficult to sand.

Q-Cells / microballons are specifically made for this job and are very easy to sand and form shapes. Grab a box of them and you’re set.

[SteveSadler]

Epoxy and fillers can be used in your bilge, but overheating in thick areas is a big problem. Concrete has been traditionally used in the past with consistent results.
Non toxic, strong, easy, cheap, whats not to like?

[GILow]

Originally Posted by SteveSadler

Epoxy and fillers can be used in your bilge, but overheating in thick areas is a big problem. Concrete has been traditionally used in the past with consistent results.

Non toxic, strong, easy, cheap, whats not to like?

Yes, concrete can be good, but as previously noted, not suitable for thinner fairing roles..

[Johnno]

Hi Folks, I used poly resin and sand to smooth the top of my ballast (which comprised of 3.5 tons of aerial practise bombs - high density cast steel). I worked perfectly. I then put a 4oz layup of fibreglass which formed the base of one of the water tanks. It all worked perfectly. We had that boat for 21 years.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Johnno

Hi Folks, I used poly resin and sand to smooth the top of my ballast (which comprised of 3.5 tons of aerial practise bombs - high density cast steel). I worked perfectly. I then put a 4oz layup of fibreglass which formed the base of one of the water tanks. It all worked perfectly. We had that boat for 21 years.

Thanks Johnno, sounds like a nice finish. Is that sort of ballast common?