Hi all, to any working with XPS foam...
I'm in process of making some secondary flares for a synergy project out of Lowes XPS foamboard.
All web searching leaves me confused how to best harden and strengthen it.
Ideally I'd like something that brushes on thin per coat (less than 1/16th) and is sand-able, and of course paint-able with nothing special.
Many Thanks 🙂
I'm in process of making some secondary flares for a synergy project out of Lowes XPS foamboard.
All web searching leaves me confused how to best harden and strengthen it.
Ideally I'd like something that brushes on thin per coat (less than 1/16th) and is sand-able, and of course paint-able with nothing special.
Many Thanks 🙂
in my attempts at that i came across the problem of the paper face releasing from the foam but i was using cheap buck store supplied foam.
maybe a layer of glue spread with a notched trowel and a second layer of foam a la CLD would get where you want?
maybe a layer of glue spread with a notched trowel and a second layer of foam a la CLD would get where you want?
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Epoxy would give you a hard shell, with a thin coating, which will readily accept primers and paints after a sanding. If you plan on more than one coat, you will need to apply the second coat before the epoxy cures, or wash off the amine blush from the cured epoxy, and sand to create adhesion. ( warm water, soap and a scuff pad will suffice for washing the amine blush off )
Epoxy is best used with a woven glass cloth, but can be difficult to wet out. A 6oz cloth would be sufficient for most needs. Best method is to brush the surface before laying the cloth down, then squeegee the cloth. Without a glass reinforcement cloth, epoxy coated foam would be like an M&M, a hard shell with a soft foam inside, less damage resistant.
If you could tolerate a thicker application: titebond II glue with a thin cotton fabric reinforcement and paint over with an acrylic latex paint, also known as 'poor man's fiberglass'
Some more information at the following links:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Seafoam-Kayak-the-Unsinkable-Foam-Kayak-Anyone-Can/
Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers • View forum - Foamies
If you just want to have a hard shell with decent sandability, epoxy with a thickener like cabosil would be a good option.
Thank guys,
I think potential banging around of the flare, merits the epoxy with glass cloth technique.
But it sure would be nice to be able to get away with just epoxy and cabosil.
So I'll get some epoxy, cloth, and a thickener to do some testing. I'm so new to this.......argh..
You wouldn't believe how long it took me to get decent hot wire cuts on 48" wide foam haha
diyuser2010, sounds like you have considerable experience with epoxy techniques....
any particular epoxy recommendation? and place to shop ?
super thx
I think potential banging around of the flare, merits the epoxy with glass cloth technique.
But it sure would be nice to be able to get away with just epoxy and cabosil.
So I'll get some epoxy, cloth, and a thickener to do some testing. I'm so new to this.......argh..
You wouldn't believe how long it took me to get decent hot wire cuts on 48" wide foam haha
diyuser2010, sounds like you have considerable experience with epoxy techniques....
any particular epoxy recommendation? and place to shop ?
super thx
would truck bed liner coating eat the foam?
oops it's a lacquer so odds are bad sorry bad thought.
oops it's a lacquer so odds are bad sorry bad thought.
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I've used Duratex on the foam, and it adheres fine and toughens it up some.
But I'm sure I'm gonna need much stronger reinforcement to keep from breaking this flare.
Just ordered some epoxy resin and 6 oz fabric.
Could you glue a matrix of kebab (US : kabob ?) sticks on the rear side then build up a layer of papier mache ? I'm not sure how strong you need it to be....