Recoring

[bcc101]

As indicated on my last conversation-" which side is up?", I am presently doing some recore work on our Paceship PY23k.

The flat surfaces have come along nicely. Today I cut out the balsa for the curved section on the coach roof near the mast. When curved the balsa ends up with high spots.
My question - is it ok or preferable to first get the balsa in place then after the epoxy sets to sand and then lay the glass on a smooth surface.

Just want to make sure I do this properly.
Thanks
Bruce

[Lepke]

Yes. Whenever I rebuild fiberglass, I like to lay over a surface as even as possible. Any gaps, dents, holes, I fill so the first layer starts out smooth. The sanding can be very coarse. I use 80 or 40 grit. The grooves give the epoxy more to bond to. When done the patch should be indistinguishable from original.

[UNCIVILIZED]

The short answer. Yes. Though once you sand the AL600 coating off of balsa's ends, it drinks resin like crazy. Which is; expensive, heavy, & much harder to sand (resin that is vs. core).

As sanding a core which also has hardened resin/filler on only a percentage of it's surfaces can be difficult. Since the core can be far easier to sand off than is the resin/filler/fairing compound. Thus creating surface irregularities... which need more filler/fairing compound.

[bcc101]

Thank you.
This is a learn as you go job.
I have read forums, WEST manual, asked questions and am gradually getting a system worked out.
Now debating if I should remove the aluminum toe rails before painting the deck in the Spring.
I did one many years ago when I had a lot more flexibility.

Thanks again
Bruce