Great Stuff for flotaion

[Raydee]

I have been using Pool noodle for years and I want to try some great stuff on my SprintCat hatch. Is this stuff the low expanding Foam that people use in their hulls?
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100068117

The big question is does it work good for flotation?

[Jeff Wohlt]

I used it on my HOR cat...works great but I have not had to test it yet. It does not expand very much at all....just do not close it up in an area. I just shot it back and forth down in the front end.

[Doby]

Flotation properties are excelent.

[BHChieftain]

Is there any issue with the canned foam retaining water over time (and getting heavy)? I thought I saw a post about that a while back but I can't really remember...

-Chief

[steve-b]

I also read something like that.

[Doby]

BS,,thats what it is. IT IS NOT A SPONGE. It has a hard outer shell that does not absorb water..Even if you cut it to shape and see the "open cells" they do not absorb water.

Best example is to go buy an Arrow chocolate bar and take a bite.....see all of the "open cells",,,,but they are each closed off from each other.

[ED66677]

polystyrene acts as a sponge but not these foam!

[dddmx3]

DONT USE IT!
i put some in the front of my tc 31, and the whole front of the whole popped out about a inch. it was bad. So i decided to take it out, i stick my hand in the front and relize that the outside of the foam had dried but not the inside. so now my hand is covered in yellow gunky crap and it wouldnt wash off for a week! it sucked!

[ED66677]

DONT USE IT!
i put some in the front of my tc 31, and the whole front of the whole popped out about a inch. it was bad. So i decided to take it out, i stick my hand in the front and relize that the outside of the foam had dried but not the inside. so now my hand is covered in yellow gunky crap and it wouldnt wash off for a week! it sucked!

as it expands, you have to inject a small amount at a time, let's say one or two onces and wait several minutes!

[bea5017]

spray a lil water on it too for each layer . it uses h20 in the air to cure.

[ED66677]

spray a lil water on it too for each layer . it uses h20 in the air to cure.

Exactly!

[CornelP]

If you get the one with a dispenser gun, it is easier to adjust quantities. If you adjust on low flow rate and pressure, the foam you spray will not expand by more than 10%. At max pressure, it can go to 100% or more. Always leave an opening... it is quite strong when it expands. If you really want to close all openings, leave at least one closed with paper masking tape... just as extra security. Some of the cheaper brands will retain water and will continue to expand in time, especially if you have a case like ddmx3, with foam still liquid inside.
A good practice is to make a couple of holes when it is all dry, to see if you have a consistent structure.

[Gary]

I have used it and it worked great. The plus side is it really inforces the hull big time. I have had some good runins with things...."shore"... and the front craked a bit but nothing like it would have with out foam....like a split hull!!

[Raydee]

Anyone know about how long it takes to fully cure?

[Doby]

If you add about a tennis ball amount, it should be good to go overnight.