As you can see I've now tried ot epoxy this over twice. However it keeps breakign off or chipping within a couple hours of skiing. I'm worried about ripping the edge out because it's mighty exposed.
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As you can see I've now tried ot epoxy this over twice. However it keeps breakign off or chipping within a couple hours of skiing. I'm worried about ripping the edge out because it's mighty exposed.
i would recommend putting small amounts of epoxy in there every day or two for a week or so. that way, the epoxy will have a chance to set up, and harden.
also, i would use some material to fill in the missing area... like a chunk of particle board or something, to make it more structural.
A fibrous filler such as mentioned above for the hole would be good. I would also recommend adding a couple of fibres of fibregalss/kevlar/carbon (whatever you can get your hands on) along the top and side of the hole. Sand or roughen the surface the side and topsheet so that there is a good surface to grip, fill the hole with the filler and eposy but also add the fiberglass at the same time (ir e when it is wet). Make sure the fires extend in front of the hole and behind it so that some of the load is transfered to the surface/side that still has some structural integrity.
Cool. I'll give it a try. Thanks.
I would epoxy the edge of the broken area meking sure that it was completly water tight, this will help to keep the skis in as good condition as possible. I would probably, as has been mentioned, try to build a filler for the area. It seems from your pictures that the hole is above the end of the edges so it shouldn't be all that structural. Try to build something that fills the hole and covers the top sheet and base a bit and epoxy the whole piece in. The overhang may give it some extra structural integrity and keep it from blowing out.
Since it is in an area of the ski that flexes I'd use HARDMAN Double Bubble D-85. It is a urethane epoxy and is very flexible so it won't pop out when the ski is flexing hard, like it will in the bumps. I would not use a solid filler material as that will add stress and cause the bonds to break. If your local shop doesn't have any try a marine supply shop, if that doesn't work pm me and I'll send you some.
Thanks for the tip gravitylvr. I agree that regular epoxy is too stiff and brittle, especially in the cold. The ski spends so much tip flexing and unflexing, it just gets beater to death. I'll look for that goop you reccomend.
If you use fiberglass I'd recommend sanding off the topsheet completely in any area where fiberglass will be placed. Painting the epoxy will help give it a longer life. (UV degradation.)
One other note for epoxies:
1) Not all epoxies are equal. The 5 minute, 2 syringe tubes from the local harware store are not suitable if you are using fibres as a matrix. You need a true epoxy system.
2) West System Marine epoxy, not too brittle, not too rubbery, just right. It is ideal for fibregalss stuff and it lasts for years in teh garage.
The UV protection is a good idea too.
And you can use West System on damn near anything. You must protect it from UV though. That means either gelcoat or spray paint. Spray paint is the easiest/cheapest.Quote:
Originally Posted by Oarhead