can it be done?

[Bill Gibson]

I finished building a set of spare front sponsons for my Intrepid 20 hydro...i sealed em with a 2 coats of West Systems epoxy and was wondering if i could wet sand em and buff em without spraying a clear coat of 500S? I cant believe with all the years ive played with epoxy that ive never tried this...will it work?

 

[chris armstrong]

i have had the same thought.

if u used 1500 grit or similar, i think it would be ok.

will have to try it

 

[Bill Gibson]

i have had the same thought.

if u used 1500 grit or similar, i think it would be ok.

will have to try it

Chris, im sure someone will chime in.....sure would like to know though!

 

[Mike Hughes]

Do it all the time. I am lazy. I only paint my boat once. When repairs are needed, I just put one seal coat over the patch. Hit it with the heat gun and then wipe with paper towel. After dry, I hit with some scotch brite. Done.

Mike

PS My boats look awesome when they are new. Put 12 years on them and there is more patch than paint.

 

[Bill Gibson]

Do it all the time. I am lazy. I only paint my boat once. When repairs are needed, I just put one seal coat over the patch. Hit it with the heat gun and then wipe with paper towel. After dry, I hit with some scotch brite. Done.

Mike

PS My boats look awesome when they are new. Put 12 years on them and there is more patch than paint.

Thanks Mike! The only way to keep em perfect is to leave em on the shelf! And that wouldnt be any fun , now would it?

 

[Bill Gibson]

Well, i gave it a go and im glad i did! I wet sanded with #1000, then #1500,, compounded with 3M light rubbing compound, and finished with 3M finishing polish, all by hand...it took about 1 hour to do 1 sponson (20 size) and it really came out nice......super smooth, maybe too smooth on the bottom, nice shine, not as deep as clearcoating it, but a more natural look....im gonna do the other sponson tommorrow! Pretty cool! Just wanted to share!

 

[thomaselkins]

I finished building a set of spare front sponsons for my Intrepid 20 hydro...i sealed em with a 2 coats of West Systems epoxy and was wondering if i could wet sand em and buff em without spraying a clear coat of 500S? I cant believe with all the years ive played with epoxy that ive never tried this...will it work?

Bill

West system is good but has no UV blocker like modern clear coats, and you may find it yellows with time and fuel, The clear coat after two to three coats of west, of course sanding between coats, give great long lasting protection. If you want a little color you can mix gelcoat coloring into the west mix and apply

 

[Bill Gibson]

I finished building a set of spare front sponsons for my Intrepid 20 hydro...i sealed em with a 2 coats of West Systems epoxy and was wondering if i could wet sand em and buff em without spraying a clear coat of 500S? I cant believe with all the years ive played with epoxy that ive never tried this...will it work?

Bill

West system is good but has no UV blocker like modern clear coats, and you may find it yellows with time and fuel, The clear coat after two to three coats of west, of course sanding between coats, give great long lasting protection. If you want a little color you can mix gelcoat coloring into the west mix and apply

Thanks Tom, i could just scuff em up and shoot em if needed...thats something else i wanted to try, but i thought gel coat colors were polyester resin...no compatibility issues? Im by no means an expert on this stuff!

 

[robertpickard]

Dont forget the windex after you are done painting :lol: :lol:

 

[Bill Gibson]

Dont forget the windex after you are done painting :lol: :lol:

ABSOLUTLY!!

 

[Marty Davis]

I finished building a set of spare front sponsons for my Intrepid 20 hydro...i sealed em with a 2 coats of West Systems epoxy and was wondering if i could wet sand em and buff em without spraying a clear coat of 500S? I cant believe with all the years ive played with epoxy that ive never tried this...will it work?

Bill

West system is good but has no UV blocker like modern clear coats, and you may find it yellows with time and fuel, The clear coat after two to three coats of west, of course sanding between coats, give great long lasting protection. If you want a little color you can mix gelcoat coloring into the west mix and apply

Thanks Tom, i could just scuff em up and shoot em if needed...thats something else i wanted to try, but i thought gel coat colors were polyester resin...no compatibility issues? Im by no means an expert on this stuff!

Bill:

I have always just sanded the hull or sponsons real well with 320 or so.

Spread West systems on with a razor blade on flat surfaces or fingers on curved and uneven areas and then wiped the epoxy dry with a clean rag or even paper towel. Do it once more and wipe dry. This fills the grain almost completely.

Slightly sand with 320 vibrator type sander and you are ready for clear. Works REALLY well and keeps the paint as light as possible. I have even done this with color and it also works well since the color fills what grain is left unfilled by the West Epoxy.

I do not even coat the engine and tank compartment with extra West Systems, the Imron Clear with Activator is really fuel proof. If you get a super light dust type coat of clear, sometimes the fuel can get under it. If you flash coat the clear, it is completely fuel proof and super durable.

 

[moparbarn]

another option to help keep weight down is to use sanding sealer for wood then automotive clear or color over it. i use deft brand from lowe's. it is lacquer based & will work under most automotive paints. thin & clear as water, soaks in & seals the grain, sands like primer. if you want to stain the wood, use latex stain, not oil based, before the sanding sealer.

 

[Joe Warren]

I finished building a set of spare front sponsons for my Intrepid 20 hydro...i sealed em with a 2 coats of West Systems epoxy and was wondering if i could wet sand em and buff em without spraying a clear coat of 500S? I cant believe with all the years ive played with epoxy that ive never tried this...will it work?

Bill

West system is good but has no UV blocker like modern clear coats, and you may find it yellows with time and fuel, The clear coat after two to three coats of west, of course sanding between coats, give great long lasting protection. If you want a little color you can mix gelcoat coloring into the west mix and apply

Tom if you want UV blocker Buy West Systems 105 & 207 for additional UV protection.......

 

[Chris Wood]

if you want something that works without all the head ache

go to www.klasscote.com

get there CLEAR epoxy paint. shoot it and forget it..

you can brush on one coat to seal.. ( MUCH thinner than west )

sand and shoot

done and works great.. it is a epoxy paint

 

[Ted buckley]

if you want something that works without all the head ache

go to www.klasscote.com

get there CLEAR epoxy paint. shoot it and forget it..

you can brush on one coat to seal.. ( MUCH thinner than west )

sand and shoot

done and works great.. it is a epoxy paint

Chris, you sure it aint www.klasskote.com/ I couldn't find it with: www.klasscote.com? I wonder if you can purchase this stuff in the States vs. the U.K. or Canada?

 

[Bill Gibson]

if you want something that works without all the head ache

go to www.klasscote.com

get there CLEAR epoxy paint. shoot it and forget it..

you can brush on one coat to seal.. ( MUCH thinner than west )

sand and shoot

done and works great.. it is a epoxy paint

Chris, i shot Marty's 20 hydro awhile back with Klass coat(Marty Davis Yellow, of course!) and i gotta tell ya..that is REALLY nice stuff! I might have to try to break away from my 500s habit and try some of the Klasscote clear on something!

 

[John Knight]

if you want something that works without all the head ache

go to www.klasscote.com

get there CLEAR epoxy paint. shoot it and forget it..

you can brush on one coat to seal.. ( MUCH thinner than west )

sand and shoot

done and works great.. it is a epoxy paint

Chris, i shot Marty's 20 hydro awhile back with Klass coat(Marty Davis Yellow, of course!) and i gotta tell ya..that is REALLY nice stuff! I might have to try to break away from my 500s habit and try some of the Klasscote clear on something!

Does Klasskote colors require it to be clearcoated? I see it is an epoxy paint but do not know how the colors hold up to higher nitro. And do the colors come in neons? I do not see the neons among the colors shown on their website.

 

[Marty Davis]

if you want something that works without all the head ache

go to www.klasscote.com

get there CLEAR epoxy paint. shoot it and forget it..

you can brush on one coat to seal.. ( MUCH thinner than west )

sand and shoot

done and works great.. it is a epoxy paint

Chris, i shot Marty's 20 hydro awhile back with Klass coat(Marty Davis Yellow, of course!) and i gotta tell ya..that is REALLY nice stuff! I might have to try to break away from my 500s habit and try some of the Klasscote clear on something!

Does Klasskote colors require it to be clearcoated? I see it is an epoxy paint but do not know how the colors hold up to higher nitro. And do the colors come in neons? I do not see the neons among the colors shown on their website.

John:

No the colors don't come in Neon. They list one Green as a neon, I odered that and it was an army green. The swapped for yellow. These paints are just like to old days of Hobby Poxy and K&B Supper Poxy. The hold up well and paint very easily. No clear required, the color coats are glossy. I will probably use them a lot now that I have discovered them.

 

[John Knight]

if you want something that works without all the head ache

go to www.klasscote.com

get there CLEAR epoxy paint. shoot it and forget it..

you can brush on one coat to seal.. ( MUCH thinner than west )

sand and shoot

done and works great.. it is a epoxy paint

Chris, i shot Marty's 20 hydro awhile back with Klass coat(Marty Davis Yellow, of course!) and i gotta tell ya..that is REALLY nice stuff! I might have to try to break away from my 500s habit and try some of the Klasscote clear on something!

Does Klasskote colors require it to be clearcoated? I see it is an epoxy paint but do not know how the colors hold up to higher nitro. And do the colors come in neons? I do not see the neons among the colors shown on their website.

John:

No the colors don't come in Neon. They list one Green as a neon, I odered that and it was an army green. The swapped for yellow. These paints are just like to old days of Hobby Poxy and K&B Supper Poxy. The hold up well and paint very easily. No clear required, the color coats are glossy. I will probably use them a lot now that I have discovered them.

Thanks Marty, I think I'll give them a whirl. I was hoping for a neon orange or red to try and keep others from hitting mine.

 

[gooycheese]

I think the finish is based on the hardener part you use? isnt there like 3 finishes to choose from..... just saying something cuz have seen flat black riggers.