How To: Glass A Surfboard in Epoxy
The world’s best Epoxy Resin by far, with a high bio content and ease of use. Resin Research Epoxy Resin is the first choice for all marine users. Advanced chemical makeups, strong UV resistance, ultra clear, safe and clean, this is the choice of marine engineers and laminators world-wide.
(HD: 1080p) © Seabase Limited 2018.
How To Glass A Surfboard using Epoxy Resin:
- Make sure the room working temperature is around or above 24º C. Your board should be left clean, and untouched at the same room temperature for 24 hours before glassing, to avoid gassing.
- The Resin and Hardener (and blank) must also be kept at the recommended elevated room temperature for 24 hours or more. Do not apply warm resin to a cold surface, or resin to a warmer surface.
- IMPORTANT: If the Resin appears unusually thick or crystalline, the Resin is still perfectly usable. Unsure on how to recover resin?
- NOTE*: Do NOT add Additive F to the laminate (glass) coat. We do not think you need it. Add it to the sand or filler coats at the rate of 0.5%-1% (5-10 ml per litre) to the Resin (Part A) only, after measuring, but before blending. Additive F is an anti-blooming additive that aids sanding. Do not use Additive F in any other Epoxy Resin – it is formulated for Resin Research Epoxy Resin Only. Note: These are only our recommendations, feel free to research and experiment yourself.
- Pigmenting? Use a totally compatible pigment or a tint. Add the pigment to the Resin (part A) at the recommended rate, usually 2-10%. Do not use Polyester Pigments in Epoxy. Use only tints or epoxy pigments.
- Now it’s time to measure! Blend precisely two parts Resin (including the pigment or tint) but excluding Additive F, to one part hardener (part B) by volume. (2:1 by volume.) Use a graduated mixing pot for best results. We suggest you need 750 ml of mix (500 ml of Resin to 250 ml of Hardener) Per Layer, Per Side, Per Board. You will need less for sand (filler or hot) coats – say 600 ml. Experience = less resin.
- Mix the two products together in your clean mixing pot, using a Flat Wooden Stick until everything is mixed smoothly. Make sure to scrape the sides and the bottom of the pot frequently. Do not frappe or introduce air to the mix, to avoid bubbles.
- Leave to stand for one minute to aid the release of any air, and to help the hardening process.
- When it comes to Decals, we use a little of the Resin directly on the foam, to stick down our Quiver logo’s. Make sure to flatten the decals so there are no air bubbles.
- Lay down the fibreglass onto your clean, dust free board (or surface). Spread the mixed resin evenly and quickly over the base material, using exactly the same techniques you would use for Polyester Resin. We prefer to use a plastic spreader instead of a squeegee. Again, its personal preference; you can experiment with both to see what suits you best.
- Make sure to spread the mixed resin evenly, making sure to not pour out the whole pot at once. Retain some for areas you may miss, but then use it all. Aim for a 50/50 resin to fibreglass balance if possible.
- The Resin should remain usable for 15-20 minutes at the correct temperature.
- The surface can be turned or re-coated after 2-5 hours, depending on temperature and humidity. Always re-coat with another layer within 12-18 hours. Do not leave to fully cure to ensure a chemical and physical bond. If resin has fully cured, you may get rejection from the lack of a physical key.
- Add Additive F to the sand (or hot or filler) coats aim to fill the fibreglass fully. We’re aiming for a 50:50 resin to glass mix, so don’t leave areas of cloth exposed or with too little resin at this stage.
- Sand within 24 hours of the final coat. Resin Research Epoxies cure hard and tough, making sanding later more difficult.
- If you are glossing, do so within 24 hours of the final coat. Do NOT use Additive F in anything but the gloss coat, if glossing. The gloss coat may be rejected if the sand coat resin with Additive F has cured. You can polish the sand coat directly if it is a flat surface.
PLEASE NOTE: These instructions are offered in the best faith, but may not be correct under different conditions outside our control. We strongly suggest you adapt these instructions by sampling to suit your own conditions and circumstances.
Materials seen in the video:
4 oz Hexcel Premium Fibreglass
US Blanks 6’6″ Shortboard Blank
© Copyright Seabase Limited 2018. Do not reproduce this video or the attached data without permission.