Clear coat over Carbon Fibre

[jkr]

No worries just thought id mention it as many dont realise epoxy isnt uv resistant thats why it needs to be painted.Better product than epoxy is vinylester resin as it can be used with poly gelcoats clear or coloured which are uv resistant.Its also cheaper than epoxy while still been strong some say stronger.
Mart

Mart i found this

http://www.fibermaxcomposites.com/shop/-p-883.html

If someone uses vinylester can he bond the harware with epoxy glue?
Is it makes strong bond amond the two of them?

[Rich]

You plan on pulling hatch tape off of it?

Absolutely! So I think your saying I should sand it to give it a good surface to bond to?

[martno1fan]

Mart i found this

http://www.fibermaxcomposites.com/shop/-p-883.html

If someone uses vinylester can he bond the harware with epoxy glue?
Is it makes strong bond amond the two of them?

Yes you can bond things with epoxy inside a vinylester or polyester hull with no problem just need to prep the surface properly first,rough it up and clean with acetone etc.
Main reason i dont use epoxy resins for laminating is the health issues associated with it,its really harmfull stuff and can cause really serious problems.
I much prefer vinylester resin its much less harmfull and very strong and also less costly so its a win win for me.That said most of the hulls i make are polyester and they are very strong and stiff but if someone wants to pay the extra for vinylester i wont argue.
Mart

[JIM MARCUM]

mostly. Between Epoxy, Polyester, and Vinylester resins - Epoxy is the strongest and best for lamination, but will oxidize if exposed to sunlight for long periods of time. You can't apply Polyester over Epoxy or apply gelcoat over it. Epoxy must be painted or have UV resistant clear coat designed for use on Epoxy. Vinylester combines the best of both, is almost as strong as epoxy, and can be applied over Epoxy unlike Polyester resin.

I prefer using Epoxy to strenghten FE hulls, secure motor mounts and anything else mounted inside the hull. In my area Vinylester is hard to find, but Epoxy is sold in many places, including the Navy Exchange.

Not sure I'm right on this, but I think most Carbon Fiber FE boats are made with Epoxy resin, and Polyester resin can't be used mount things inside, or strenghten the hull. Any out there that knows for sure about CF hulls?

JIM

[martno1fan]

Vinylester can be used with carbon fibre same as polyester can,those who have vinylester hulls i doubt you can convince them that epoxy is stronger.The only reason more hulls are made from epoxy is due to the fact that its been arround longer and those using it have probably never tried vinylester resin,there are those who say its actually better than epoxy for our uses not least for the fact that you can have carbon showing without fear of it been effected by UV light.I agree epoxy glue is the best for gluing in things inside the hull,not sure theres such a thing as vinylester glue.As for strengthening hulls it depends what the hull is made from, if its polyester yes you can use poly resin and carbon for strengthening and ive built hundereds of hulls with it and no issues with split seams and theyre rock solid ZERO TWIST.For the most part polyester hulls are fine and if the right layup is used they are plenty strong ask anyone who owns one of my hulls how strong.For larger hulls of from 60" or so id def use vinylester or epoxy resin over poly though.

most of these hulls are built with vinylester resins

http://www.centralrchobbies.net/Outerlimits_SV.php

[JIM MARCUM]

Martin, the boats you build look great, and have some of the coolest paint jobs I've seen. Hope you develop a 60" catamaran in the future - I'd buy one.

I agree Vinylester resin is excellent for building FE hulls and just about anything else that uses resin. I would like to see it become the standard for all FE boats, especially those originating from China. The difference in price between Polyester resin & Vinylester is small & wouldn't mean a big increase in price. It would provide a huge improvement in strength & durability. And unlike Epoxy resin hulls, in a pinch you can do a quick field patch with Polyester resin over Vinylester. As I stated above, Vinylester resin has the best of both worlds - strong, can have epoxy or Polyester resin put over it, and it costs much less than Epoxy.

As a professional diver & captain of a 50" dive boat for five years, and owner of a full sized boat repair company for fifteen years, I have used all three types of resin and gelcoat. I used to have a great wholesale supplier for fiberglass, carbon fiber cloth, and all 3 types of resin a mile and 1/2 form my home. Unfortunately, since it's closing I find it easier to buy glass & epoxy at reasonable prices from the Navy Exchange. Polyester resin is available everywhere, but compared to Epoxy or Vinylester it looses on all counts and is a waste of my time.

I'll leave the "which is the strongest" to the experts. Vinlyester wins the "best buy for your money award". JIM

[martno1fan]

Thanks Jim im glad you like them,the paintjobs were doen locally to me but he no longer does them grrr.Ive got a few new models coming out over the summer so be carefull what you wish for haha.I do have a 46" cat coming out very soon you might like bigger hulls planned for later.
Mart

[jkr]

Thanks Jim im glad you like them,the paintjobs were doen locally to me but he no longer does them grrr.Ive got a few new models coming out over the summer so be carefull what you wish for haha.I do have a 46" cat coming out very soon you might like bigger hulls planned for later.
Mart

Wil you make smaller Outerlimits?

Konstantinos

[martno1fan]

Hi i dont wann hyjack this thread so maybe we can continue through pm and ill tell you what we have planned.
Mart

[Rich]

Well gentlemen I got my hull painted and I have a few coats of u-pol clear. I have a few questions. I noticed that the clear had to be applied really really thick to have that nice glassy shine to it. When I went to wet sand with 1500 grit I noticed that the clear really dulls out and leaves what looks like water marks on a wind shield, is this normal? I take it you all polish it after you wet sand to get it to shine?

[srislash]

Well gentlemen I got my hull painted and I have a few coats of u-pol clear. I have a few questions. I noticed that the clear had to be applied really really thick to have that nice glassy shine to it.

I have stopped at this point.I haven't polished any of mine as of yet.So I would hit another coat and be done with it.Just watch the runs

[Rich]

I just did a quick light coat of clear. I will polish it and see if I can even out the shine, but until then thanks for the help!