Boards made from this material are then wrapped in fiberglass and sealed with polyester resin. Among Epoxy or polyester surfboards, Epoxy boards are lighter. Especially in terms of flex and durability. I find they both are about the same, requiring similar rules, precautions and procedures for good results. 2. Instead, many EPS boards use either a dense stringer . The Phix Doctor formula is free of toxic compounds and emits nearly zero carbon particles during the curing process.". • Epoxy resin forms stronger bonds when it comes to gluing two pieces together and has better adhesive properties with surfaces like wood, metal or concrete. This means that the epoxy board will have poor quality resin and foam. Ability: On a 0-10 scale, 0 = beginner, 10 = expert. Converesely, epoxy resin won't damage polyurethane foam. This became a turning point in surfboard manufacturing, as the foam was much easier to shape versus wood and more constant to work with. surfboard foam density; By . This is due to it being more practical and economical than epoxy resin. Epoxy boards are so much lighter, so they are excellent for high-performance surfers. So many blanks have bent stringers, big holes, bad foam mixes, bad rockers (so important). Set the blister back into the repair area, if you are using new fiberglass you will want to apply the fiberglass in the patch area and then apply the epoxy. This core is laminated with fiberglass and epoxy resin. A foam surfboard is usually recommended to beginners for its low risk of injury and its comfort on the water. It looks like you're bonding epoxy over wood. Polyester and epoxy are the types of resin used. Re: can i use polyester solarez on my epoxy surfboard Nope you need to use the epoxy one. Failing that, if you can see the foam through the glass and it looks like beer cooler foam, you will need to use epoxy to repair it. EPS is an open cell foam, meaning it's extremely water absorbent. Epoxy is an extremely durable adhesive and can withstand the harsh conditions of the ocean, but it's important to use just enough resin for . EPS foam is produced by feeding tiny polystyrene spears into a machine and then adding steam (with small amounts of pentane gas) to expand the beads and then mold them together. This kit is used when UV light is not present and fiberglass cloth is needed. Unlike the wooden stringer that is always used in a poly board, epoxy's may or may not use a wooden stringer. Both the foam and the resin will differ in their construction based on the . An EPS board is easier to paddle and will enter a wave faster than a standard fiberglass surfboard; 4. Size: Your height and weight. The amount that a material is able to stretch without failing is called tensile elongation. Unlike the wooden stringer that is always used in a poly board, epoxy's may or may not use a wooden stringer. We recommend slowly mixing the resin for at least 1 minute and be sure to scrape the sides, corners . Fortunately, this epoxy surfboard weighs a lot lighter than fiberglass boards. Now that you have all the epoxy molecules measured out precisely, it is important to mix the resin thoroughly so all the party-goers get to mingle and find a partner to join hands with. EPS is hand- and machine . Using all same materials I have been for years. Once we have that determined your height, weight, ability and the type of waves you . The durability makes it so that your epoxy surfboard: Last longer. It costs more but its lifespan will be far longer. We make both types of repair kits. They don't flex as much as fiberglass boards, but an epoxy surfboard will be much more durable. Do not let the DNA dry. In the late '50s, Hobie Alter began playing around with different PU formulas to make a blank that would be easier to shape and produce than the current standard of surfboard material: Balsa wood. Plus, there's the use of epoxy . Surfboards are most often made from polyurethane or polystyrene foam. The Golden Rule of Epoxy #2 : MIX Epoxy Resin THOROUGHLY. The foam is then wrapped in fiberglass and a waterproof resin. We also sell a Brushable Gelcoat that can be applied with a brush. Epoxy layed up over roughened cured polyester will fare better. There are a couple of exceptions. That makes epoxy resin usually the best choice for fiberglass repair work. These things are true water-warriors, the EPS construction matched with fibreglass and epoxy resin, creating a far more durable surfboard than traditional poly boards. Epoxy surfboards, made from EPS foam, are some of the most innovative surfboards out there. If it melts, use epoxy to fix it. We know how surfboards are made cheaply. At 3.5-4.5% of overall length, epoxy resin is able to stretch more than polyester resin which can only . Let it harden - job done. You should be able to tell by sanding an area, if it's polyester it'll smell like the inside of a new FG boat, epoxy has a different smell. The hallmark of epoxy surfboards is that they are incredibly light and tough. Epoxy boards are a combination of expanded polystyrene foam (also referred to as EPS), fiberglass cloth, and epoxy resin, typically resulting in a lighter and more durable surfboard! Laminating - same as "glassing". If you use UV polyester resin, make the mixture resin + microsphere in a place isolated from the sun. Epoxy Surfboard Tail Shapes The tail and back half of a surfboard indicate how the board will surf once you are up on your feet and riding. This is done frequently, in fact. We need to know 3 basic things about you before we can make a recommendation, we need to know your: 1. Most other surfboard manufacturers charge $100-$150 for epoxy. At the time of production, the . . How to make basic Surfboard repairs: Using SunCure™ Fiberfill resin: Make sure you know what resin your board is made with. Let set hard, job done. Is resistant to dings and waterlog. The next step in finishing your epoxy project is polishing. A polyester surfboard is affordable and can handle unpredictable wave patterns. I sanded the fiberglass that wrapped around the front of the board and did not get it flush with the foam. While epoxy boards are known to be better for the environment, they are generally more expensive. Just remember that poly only sticks to poly, and epoxy sticks to everything. An epoxy board has resin that is up to 35% stronger than resin used on a fiberglass board. Add the pigment to the Resin (part A) at the recommended rate, usually 2-10%. Shape the blank. Polyester. This lightness is given by the inner polystyrene foam material, which is much less dense and therefore lighter than the traditional polyurethane used in polyester boards. If you buy your custom through our website the upcharge is $70. The two most popular types of foam materials used in surfboards are: Polyurethane Foam, used in PU surfboards. A stringer. The main part of a surfboard is the foam core. Place tape below the nose, so that the resin you will apply will stay in the board and not fall down. The durability makes it so that your epoxy surfboard: Last longer. Our advice is to research how exactly to sand your project based on the specifics. An epoxy surfboard is very light and can handle high speeds. Firstly, ensure that you have applied a thin layer of hardener to your fiberglass surfboard's damaged area. EPS is essentially foam with less density than PU blanks softer, but compensated by more layers of fiberglass. Use only tints or epoxy pigments. For applying your gelcoat, you can either roll the gelcoat on, like paint, or you can spray it on. Apply the Epoxy Resin and Hardener in 3 Even Coats. Apply the Solarez resin. Mostly, the surfboard is painted or has a last layer of protection. And the other great advantage of epoxy resin that it doesn't degrade over time. DNA will remove Acylic paint from a polyester finish without damage to the Poly. Rough shape the blank. Remove bulk foam from the block foam. The strength of epoxy surfboards is admirable. Epoxy resin is up to 33 percent stronger than the standard resin used in polyurethane-fiberglass surfboards; 2. These boards offer a balance of flex, strength, and board feel. Forget sanding. The best way to remove paint from a surfboard is to sand it off. Epoxy has far greater adhesive properties than Polyester which makes delamination less likely and also is rumoured to have a slightly greater impact . Is resistant to dings and waterlog. * Less dingable. Keep it wet and work fast. The skin (Poly or Epoxy) of the of the sandwich is much stiffer than the core and will negate any extra of less flex in the core. Brief History of Surfboard Blanks. However, you hardly see surfboards that come in other materials asides from the three common ones. To sum up : A Stiffer Core = Bigger Wrinkling Load Capacity = Equal Overall Sandwich Flex Less Stiff Core = Smaller Wrinkling Load Capacity = Equal Overall Sandwich Flex This is a roll of E Glass fibre. The lightest of all surfboard materials is the epoxy. That's all my anchor winch has and I've never had a problem with it. Blend precisely two parts Resin (including the pigment or tint) but excluding Additive F, to one part hardener (part B) by volume. 2. Cut out rough shape of the surfboard. If you have damage and the foam is exposed, take some good, clear photos and post them here. An epoxy surfboard is made using a polystyrene core and is then coated with an epoxy resin. 1. 20 inch non threaded ar barrel. Glue stringer between block foam. Less flexibility: Less response Epoxy boards have greater resistance and buoyancy (Due to their lightness). Once you get the levels right it is easy, never needed to hand sand more than about 5mins for a basic crack repair. Float better Due to their lightweight, epoxy surfboards can float better too. Resin. The best epoxy jobs are finished off with a cosmetic touch. #3. If the ding is open, or you need to open it up more to properly repair it, you could always take out a small sliver of foam and put a drop of mixed polyester resin onto it. FYI, epoxy can be used over polyester as long as you sand off any primer/paint. Step 5: Polish and Wax/Paint. surfboard foam density . This is a considerable advantage in surfing. Next, you will want to apply your epoxy resin over the top of the hardener and spread it with your brush. Rough up what you've got, making sure you're back past the gel coat, and go for gold. Don't be fooled! Also to know is, what kind of epoxy do you use for surfboards? Remove all moisture, loose particles and dirt from the repair area. Now that you have all the epoxy molecules measured out precisely, it is important to mix the resin thoroughly so all the party-goers get to mingle and find a partner to join hands with. The catalyst can be liquid or ultraviolet. EPU construction is a traditional PU blank glassed with epoxy resin.